Nestled in the Staffordshire countryside, Tatenhill Airport is more than just a general aviation hub—it’s a living piece of British aviation history. Its story spans wartime service, post-war innovation, and a vibrant present-day role in flight training and leisure flying.

A Wartime Beginning
Tatenhill began life in 1941 as RAF Crossplains, a satellite airfield for No. 27 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at RAF Lichfield. Built with the classic triangular runway layout, it primarily trained bomber crews for RAF Bomber Command during World War II. Aircraft such as the Vickers Wellington, Airspeed Oxford, and Avro Anson were regular sights here.
By 1944, the focus shifted to single-engine training with Miles Master aircraft, and later advanced flying units. In the closing months of the war, Tatenhill hosted the RAF School of Explosives, established after the catastrophic RAF Fauld explosion nearby. The RAF finally withdrew in 1947, leaving behind hangars and a control tower that still stand today.

Post-War Evolution
After the RAF era, Tatenhill found new life in civilian hands. In 1959, Allied Breweries leased the airfield for corporate flights, operating aircraft like the de Havilland Dove and Beech King Air until 1985. Today, under Tatenhill Aviation Ltd., the airport thrives as a licensed aerodrome offering flight training, maintenance, and a welcoming café for visitors.

Spitfire Connections
Until now Spitfires never called Tatenhill home but the airfield’s RAF roots link it to the broader legacy of the Supermarine Spitfire, the fighter that defined the Battle of Britain.