Type Factory In use 1925-2006 Owner Ministry of Defence | Controlled by Royal Air Force Year built 1924 | |
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RAF Hythe was an RAF base situated in Hythe, Hampshire, 10 miles south of Southampton on the western side of Southampton Water.
Hangars were first erected here by May-Harden-May Ltd, acquired by Supermarine in 1925. The site was used for final assembly of marine aircraft. The site again changed hands in 1937 to be acquired by Imperial Airways (later BOAC) who until November 1950 used the site for flying boat maintenance. Later, from 1967, the facilities were used by the US Field Army Support Brigade/Combat Equipment Battalion-Hythe mainly for small boat repairs. At this time, the base became known as RAF Hythe.
The station, the last U.S. Army installation in the United Kingdom, closed on 30 September 2006 after the American Army left following a cost-cutting exercise. The site was acquired by the South East England Development Agency in October 2007, and has since been developed into the Hythe Marine Park, home to a number of maritime and marine production facilities.