| Location | |
| Address: | RAF Biggin Hill Enclave, Main Road, Biggin Hill, Kent, TN16 3EJ |
| Command Structure | |
| Commanding Officer: | Sqn Ldr John Wohlgemouth RAF VR(T) |
| Wing: | Kent Wing |
| Parade Nights | |
| Monday | 19:00 - 22:00 |
| Wednesday | 19:00 - 22:00 |
2427 (Biggin Hill) Squadron is a squadron of the Air Training Corps based in Biggin Hill, Kent on the edges of the London Borough of Bromley. It has a large contingent and serves a wide local area.
Command Structure[]
2427 Squadron is one of 33 Squadrons in Kent Wing, part of London And South East Region. Its current Officer Commanding is Squadron Leader John Wohlgemouth RAFVR(T), who was formerly CO at 1903 (Penge) Squadron
History[]
The current RAF Biggin Hill is a small enclave on the western boundary of the airport to the south of the passenger terminal, and contains the headquarters of 2427 Squadron of the Air Training Corps
The Squadron's HQ is located in the within the enclave and make use of all the buildings within it, 2427 consider themselves very lucky and privileged to have use of one of the most famous RAF stations in history, a great sense of pride is shared by all the cadets and staff on the squadron. It is also adjacent to one of the few remaining RAF Chapels, which is famous for the two gate guardians (a Spitfire and a Hawker Hurricane) that are situated in front of the chapel.
2427 Sqn began as a detatched flight of 173 (Orpington) Squadron (CO Sqdn/Ldr Manchip) under the command of its first CO and founder, Flt/lt Brian Burchell RAFVR(T). Initial accommodation was provided by the RAF in the education centre (now demolished) adjacent to the main runway but eventually the squadron made its home in two brand new huts (1964) which were built at the end of runway 01 near the now demolished hangar (see pics on Sqdn. website - history). These huts were used for nearly 30 years before eventually being dismantled, and the squadron moved to a different part of the RAF station, now RAF Biggin Hill Enclave.
The Squadron's first patron was Air Marshal Sir John Victor Goddard KCB CBE who, on his first address to the Squadron, likened the Squadron's number to the odds faced by our fighter pilots in the Battle of Britain " two fought two seven".
From its inception the Squadron attracted large numbers of cadets from surrounding areas as far away as Oxted. On parade nights the Cadets would assemble inside the main gate outside the guardroom then form up in threes and march through the camp to the Squadron HQ. The station was then very much an active RAF officer and aircrew selection centre.
Cadets were also allowed to use the NAAFI and the officers could usually be found in the Officers Mess after parade sometimes with civilian instructors as their guests. Cadets applying for Flying Scholarships were tested at the selection centre at Biggin Hill as part of the selection procedure, an experience in itself.
The Squadron's first summer camp (with Kent Wing) took place at the former RAF West Raynham in Norfolk. The Squadron had so many cadets that lots had to be drawn to select the lucky participants.
In 2010, 2427 Squadron was featured on BBC's 'Country Tracks', which was then broadcast country wide. You can see this still here.
One of the now demolished hangars was home to a WWII aircraft museum containing various interesting examples of German, British and 1 Italian A/C including a V1 and V2rocket. The Squadron was given the task of cleaning these aircraft from time to time (see pics on Sqdn website - history).
In 1981, 2427 squadron won the 'Sir Allen Lees Trophy', which is awarded to who is considered to be the best squadron in the Corps. The squadron continues to be very successful in most activities within the Corps.