The land all around this cache was opened as an airfield in 1926. In May 1927 it was the venue for the Hampshire Air Pagent, which included joy rides and an air race.
In1931, the Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Reserve School moved to Hamble and became Air Service Training Ltd. Fleet consisting of an AVRO 504, three DH 9J's, two AWA Siskins, three AWA Atlas Trainers, and two AVRO Tutors. One of the Siskins only lasted until 8th June 1931, when it was involved in a fatal accident at Sarisbury Green.
August 1932 - Amy Johnson joined for a blind-flying course
December 1937 - The Royal Air Force Reserve, became No.3 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School and received a number of new 'Modern' aircraft. Thus on 31st December, the AST fleet consisted of 37 aircraft, and the No.3 ERFTS had 14.
5th October 1939 - The first Spitfire arrived for repairs. During the war over 2,500 Spitfires & many other aircraft were repaired here.
20th September 1941 - Air Transport Auxiliary Female Pilots Pool established in a new hangar, south of Hampton Cottages.
Conversion & modifiaction of Spitfires was also carried out here. In March 1942 - The first of 115 Spitfire to Seafire conversions made it's maiden flight.
30th December 1942 - First Boeing Flying Fortress arrived for modifications. These are huge 4 engine bombers, the type fetured in the Memphis Belle film.
At the end of the war there were seven large hangers here. In August 1945 - ATA left. The airfield was full of Spitfires waiting to be scrapped - can you imagine the current value of those Spitfires if they were still here now!
After the war the airfield continued to be a busy place. In 1950 - Aircraft here includedf AST - 20 single engined + 6 twin engined. Royal Navy - 5 AVRO Ansons. RAFVR - 14 RF's. UAS - 19 single engined + 3 twin engined.
1960 - Air Service Training closed
1984 - Receiver called in. Aircraft and equipment was sold by auction in May, and the field was sold to Southern Ideal Homes.
6th April 1986 - Ron Souch flew the last aircraft out of the airfield.
Since this time various plans for the land have come & gone, mainly housing developments.
Sometimes helicpoters or model aircraft are flown from the cricket pitch area which is a nice reminder to the fields former use.