Burwood Farm on Merrow Downs proved to be a useful aviation
facility for pilot training and touring air displays. During the
1930s a flying circus used the field as a base for local displays,
with one recorded in the area in 1935. In the Second World War the
RAF used the field as a relief landing ground to take overspill
from Fairoaks airfield near Chobham 12 miles away.
The No. 18 Elementary Flying Training School based at Fairoaks
operated De Havilland Tiger Moths from Merrow. A particular
activity favoured here was the practising of forced landings.
Between 1943 and 1944 the field was used as a temporary base for
three RAF Taylorcraft Auster aircraft, light single-engined
monoplanes used for artillery spotting. As there were no permanent
facilities at Merrow any personnel based there for a time had to
resort to tented accommodation.
A number of flying incidents related to the field were recorded
during the war. In 1941 a Bristol Blenheim made a forced landing
due to bad weather and on the following day the relief crew were
brought in by light aircraft to recover the plane. Unfortunately
the pilot of the relief aircraft, an Avro Anson, was unable to gain
sufficient height when attempting take-off and crashed the aircraft
into the outbuildings of a house on the perimeter of the field.
Thankfully there were no casualties, although the plane was written
off. The crew of the Blenheim having witnessed the accident
reportedly decided against attempting to fly the bomber out and it
was later dismantled and transported by road.