RAF grass runways

[Jim Oxley]

Almost all the satellite airfields in the southeast of England were grass strips. Only Sector stations had concrete landing strips - and even there the grass sections were used by both Hurricane and Spitfire Squadrons.

I've read somewhere (can't remember what book though ) that both the Hurricane and Spitfire were better suited to grass strips, especially for landing. Something to do with landing on grass not being as hard on the aircraft, the turf being more cushioned.

Interestingly at Temora Aviation Museum they have two flyable Spitfires - a Mk.VIII and a Mk. XVI (along with a whole host of other classic aircraft http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/aircraft/ ). And they always land them on the grass strips, never the Tarmac. Whereas most other aircraft use the Tarmac.