Hatfield Aerodrome Memorial

Large open space

Hatfield Aerodrome opened in the 1930's with a mix of Flying Training and Aircraft Production by Geoffrey de Havilland who had moved from his business from Stag Lane. During the middle of the Second World War, flying training was moved to Panshanger so that Hatfield could concentrate on aircraft production. From the 1930's to the 1940's Hatfield produced the Tiger Moth; Dominie Trainer; Rapide Transport and other types. During the war years the common aircraft (with over 2 thirds built at Hatfield) was the Mosquito also known as the 'Mossie' & the 'Wooden Wonder'.

Holwell Hyde (the name used before Panshanger) was a decoy site that looked like Hatfield Aerodrome from the air and so good was the deception that RAF pilots landed there by mistake. The Luftwaffe did manage to bomb Hatfield in 1940 which caused significant damage and loss of life.

Agent Zig Zag (who was the London safe cracker Eddie Chapman) was parachuted in to Cambridge from France with orders to blow up the de Havilland factory at Hatfield; having been released from a channel island prison cell with the option to remain in prison or work for the axis powers, he chose work, but he turned double agent and helped to stage fake bomb damage and reported back to Berlin false information.

After the war the Worlds First Jet Airliner was made at Hatfield; the 'Comet'. In its later life Hatfield became known as British Aerospace. The last recorded flight was in April 1994.

My personal score for the Hatfield Aerodrome Memorial is 10/10.