by Howard King

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The aerodrome came into existence in World War 1, as part of the Royal Flying Corps. - becoming an R.A.F. station with the Force's name change on 1st April 1917.

The main purpose during all this period was to test and evaluate aircraft, and aircraft modifications, in many cases before the aircraft became front-line aircraft - this role continued after the armistice was signed.

The base became the home to captured German Aircraft - a unique collection destroyed in a disastrous fire on 6th October 1922.

The role of the Airfield as The Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A & A.E.E.) continued through the thirties, working with colleagues at R.A.F. Orfordness, the Flying Boat Base at R.A.F. Felixstowe, and, as the Second World War loomed, the Scientists at the Radar Development station at R.A.F. Bawdsey, on the Deben estuary.

"The Heath" became a magnet for the 'plane spotters' and small boys, often seen peeping over the boundary hedge, for a glimpse of the many rare prototypes that took to the skies.

Many of the aircraft had romantic, and often-unusual names.

We can only wonder now what The Westland "Westbury", The Hawker "Horsley", the Spartan "Clipper", Westland "Wapiti", or the gigantic Beardmore "Inflexible" looked like in the air.

The coming of World War II saw a radical change in the fortunes of the airfield.

The A. and A.E.E. moved for its own safety to Boscombe Down, in Hampshire.

After a short delay R.A.F. No264 (F) Squadron arrived - equipped with the Boulton Paul Defiant 2 seat Fighter. This was followed by Hurricane 1's -  with other types such as the Bristol Blenheim Mk 1 making an appearance.

Future fighter aces passed through Martlesham, leaving their influence on the RAF Station - these included such notable names as Squadron Leader Peter Townsend, Squadron Leader (later Wing Commander) Douglas Bader (who flew wearing artificial legs), and Group Captain Stanford-Tuck.

Another pilot who became well known was Ian Smith, who was later to become Prime Minister of Rhodesia.

During this period, and thorough much of the war, the airfield was under the threat of attack from German Lufftwaffe aircraft, and heavy damage was caused, particularly in the earlier war years.

One unusual raid, which was actually targeted against the Port of Harwich, was by aircraft of the Corps Aerio Italiano (Italian Air Force). However they received such a mauling that the never returned to bomb England. R.A.F. aircraft from Number 257 Squadron, then based at Martlesham Heath, joined aircraft from other R.A.F. stations, and all succeeded in bringing down 14 Italian aircraft, and damaging many others.

This was when the United States 8th Air Force, 356th Fighter wing arrived, with the 361st, 360th, and 359th Squadrons.

They were initially equipped with P. 47  Republic "Thunderbolts" - which arrived at Martlesham on 5th October 1943. They were initially tasked to provide fighter escort for B17 and B24 Bombers on their almost daily raids into Germany and the occupied countries of Europe.

In 1944 the pattern changed and they ranged over the Low Countries on low-level missions, attacking U-boat installations, airfields, radar sites, railway depots and sidings, etc.

During November 1944 the Squadrons re-equipped with North American P51 "Mustangs", which used the Packard Merlin engines (a U.S. licence built variant of the British Rolls Royce Merlin engines).

This aircraft, with its longer range, enabled the Squadrons to revert to long range escort duties for the B17 bombers, on raids deep into Central Europe.

Aircraft were used for a variety of tasks, including a flight of the "Blind Landing Experimental Unit". 1958 saw the arrival of a Helicopter Search and Rescue Flight, (part of No22 Squadron. This is still a Search and Rescue Squadron, but is now based at R.A.F. Wattisham, 20 miles inland from Martlesham).

The final R.A.F. Flights took place in 1962/63 when rough field trials were carried out using an Avro 748, and a Handley Page Dart Herald.

The site of the airfield is now mainly covered by housing and commercial developments, though some of the original buildings and installations can still be found.

The evidence is also still there in some road names, the Pub ("The Douglas Bader") and British Telecom has a Science Park called "Adastral Park" (formerly the British Telecom. Research Laboratories).

Much of the original airfield is now bisected by the A12 Trunk Road.