Nine Lives: The Story of Biggin Hill

(Hardback)

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Description

From Battle of Britain fighter station to commercial airport, this is the inspiring story of Biggin Hill.

Biggin Hill, world-famous as a Battle of Britain fighter station, has had many lives. First used as an airfield in 1917, Biggin Hill saw brutal action in both World Wars, never losing a days operations despite devastating enemy attacks. Since 1959 two dynamic figures have kept this historic airfield open against the odds: fighter ace Jock Maitland, creator of the renowned Biggin Hill International Air Fair, and army pilot Andrew Walters, who has turned it into Londons No 1 business airport, with a thriving aviation community that includes air charter companies, engineering firms, flying schools, storage and restoration, and major Formula 1 and Bombardier operations. Meanwhile a new Museum and St Georges Memorial Chapel keep memories of its days as a Royal Force Station alive.

The first full history of this great airfield, Nine Lives looks behind the scenes of a busy modern airport, digs deep into its dramatic past, and tells an inspiring tale of enterprise, innovation, teamwork and determination.

Author Bio

Alex Martin grew up in Westerham, a few miles south of Biggin Hill, when the Battle of Britain was still a vivid memory. He has taught in schools and universities in England and Italy, worked for the BBC and the British Council, and written more than twenty books on history and travel, as well as childrens and adult fiction.