RAF Hythe

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 has been acquired by the South East England Development Agency which plans to open it as a marine business park.