HER Record
HER ID: 39580, Hms Daedalus Airfield
HER Summary: Built in 1917 it was used as a sea plane training base and later as a conventional aerodrome. See also SU50SE 79-82.
HER Category: Monument
HER Web Link: No link available
Investigation Activities
Type: Air Photo Survey
Description: Building & eartwork features observed on AP dated 1962. NOTE: only the eastern part of the airfield is in view
Date Range: 1962 - 1962
Type: Bibliographic Reference
Description: Site report form, part of the Defence of Britain Project.
Date Range: 2002 - 2002
Type: Recorded Observation
Description: No information available
Date Range: 1996 - 1996
Type: Air Photo Survey
Description: Building & eartwork features observed on AP dated 1962. NOTE: only the eastern part of the airfield is in view
Date Range: 1962 - 1962
Type: Bibliographic Reference
Description: Site report form, part of the Defence of Britain Project.
Date Range: 2002 - 2002
Type: Recorded Observation
Description: No information available
Date Range: 1996 - 1996
Historic Events
Type: Built
Classification: Military Airfield
Form: Unknown
Description: [1] Built in 1917 as a temporary satellite Royal Navy sea plane school to RNAS Calshot. It became a permanent RAF station in June 1919, but in 1939 it was commissioned as HMS Daedalus. It was one of the first stations to have hard runways - two were built in 1939 and a third in 1942. It returned to its role as a training station after the Second World War. [2] 798 Squadron was formed at RNAS Lee on Solent on 11/10/1943 and was located in hangars and offices in the SE corner of the airfield from where they operated for some time until a few weeks before the D-Day invasion. The site is the former Fleet Air Arm Airfield and Shore Establishment. [See also SU50SE 79-82].
Date Range: 1917 - 1917
Type: Unassigned
Classification: Hangar
Form: Unknown
Description: 1) Out of a total of 74 Fromson and Fromson-Massillion hanars, eight remain as well as a number of other aeroplane sheds. See also SU50SE 79-82.
Date Range: 1917 - 1981
Type: Built
Classification: Military Building
Form: Unknown
Description: [1] A large number of military buildings remain on this site including guardhouses and living quaters. A gymnasium and a cinema, amongst other buildings, were constructed from 1926. The cinema was demolished in 1926 but was replaced in 1943 during a period of rebuilding. Other phases of rebuilding and extension were carried out from 1931 as well as 1941 and 1942. In 1963 the first purpose built accomodation block was constructed since the First World War. The site includes a control tower which was designed in 1942 and has later extensions. See report for full details on individual buildings. [See also SU50SE 79-82].
Date Range: 1917 - 1981
Type: Built
Classification: Nissen Hut
Form: Unknown
Description: Two Nissen huts stand on this site. The Air Ministry had begun to buy them in bulk from 1941.
Date Range: 1941 - 1941
Type: Abandoned
Classification: Military Airfield
Form: Unknown
Description: [1] The last squadron was disbanded in 1981 and the airfield was used by Air Sea Rescue and for gliders. [2] It was officially closed in March 1996.
Date Range: 1996 - 1996
Type: Built
Classification: Military Airfield
Form: Unknown
Description: [1] Built in 1917 as a temporary satellite Royal Navy sea plane school to RNAS Calshot. It became a permanent RAF station in June 1919, but in 1939 it was commissioned as HMS Daedalus. It was one of the first stations to have hard runways - two were built in 1939 and a third in 1942. It returned to its role as a training station after the Second World War. [2] 798 Squadron was formed at RNAS Lee on Solent on 11/10/1943 and was located in hangars and offices in the SE corner of the airfield from where they operated for some time until a few weeks before the D-Day invasion. The site is the former Fleet Air Arm Airfield and Shore Establishment. [See also SU50SE 79-82].
Date Range: 1917 - 1917
Type: Unassigned
Classification: Hangar
Form: Unknown
Description: 1) Out of a total of 74 Fromson and Fromson-Massillion hanars, eight remain as well as a number of other aeroplane sheds. See also SU50SE 79-82.
Date Range: 1917 - 1981
Type: Built
Classification: Military Building
Form: Unknown
Description: [1] A large number of military buildings remain on this site including guardhouses and living quaters. A gymnasium and a cinema, amongst other buildings, were constructed from 1926. The cinema was demolished in 1926 but was replaced in 1943 during a period of rebuilding. Other phases of rebuilding and extension were carried out from 1931 as well as 1941 and 1942. In 1963 the first purpose built accomodation block was constructed since the First World War. The site includes a control tower which was designed in 1942 and has later extensions. See report for full details on individual buildings. [See also SU50SE 79-82].
Date Range: 1917 - 1981
Type: Built
Classification: Nissen Hut
Form: Unknown
Description: Two Nissen huts stand on this site. The Air Ministry had begun to buy them in bulk from 1941.
Date Range: 1941 - 1941
Type: Abandoned
Classification: Military Airfield
Form: Unknown
Description: [1] The last squadron was disbanded in 1981 and the airfield was used by Air Sea Rescue and for gliders. [2] It was officially closed in March 1996.
Date Range: 1996 - 1996
