Thousands now live at the Ravenswood development in Ipswich, the former site of Ipswich Airport, writes David Kindred.

East Anglian Daily Times: In April 1986 Suckling Airways started a scheduled services between Ipswich Airport, Manchester Airport and Schipol Airport in Holland. In late 1987 problems with the Dornier 228 and the grass runway being churned up saw Suckling Airways move to RAF Wattisham for a few months. They eventually relocated to Cambridge. This photograph was taken at Ipswich at the launch of the service in April 1986 with founders Roy and Merlyn in the foreground. (Photo by Tony Ray/Archant)In April 1986 Suckling Airways started a scheduled services between Ipswich Airport, Manchester Airport and Schipol Airport in Holland. In late 1987 problems with the Dornier 228 and the grass runway being churned up saw Suckling Airways move to RAF Wattisham for a few months. They eventually relocated to Cambridge. This photograph was taken at Ipswich at the launch of the service in April 1986 with founders Roy and Merlyn in the foreground. (Photo by Tony Ray/Archant) (Image: Archant)

The idea for an airport was first put forward by the Air Ministry in October 1928 when they invited local authorities to develop an airport as “every town of importance would have an airport just like it had roads and a railway station”.

In 1929 the Ipswich Corporation purchased 147 acres and construction started early in 1930. The total cost of work including land was £13,245.

On June 26, 1930, the Prince of Wales flew in to perform the opening ceremony. Later that day he toured Ipswich town centre. The prince was later the uncrowned King Edward VIII.

The Second World War saw the airport taken over by the Air Ministry and Blenheim bombers were stationed there. Spitfires were also based at Ipswich during the war.

In 1953 the East Anglian Flying Service took a lease on the site. In 1962 they became Channel Airways, running a service to Southend Airport where passengers could join flights to the Channel Islands.

In the 1980s there was a parachute centre and a flying school operating alongside other businesses. That year the Ipswich Co-operative Society purchased the lease.

Suckling Airways started a service to Amsterdam and Manchester.

Region Air were running the site when in 1989 Ipswich council purchased the site and announced closure.

The last aircraft took off in January 1998, 70 years after the idea of an airport for Ipswich was first proposed.

See photos from various landmarks in the history of the airport in our gallery.

Did you use Ipswich Airport for business or leisure or do you have photographs of the opening day in 1930? Email David KindredSee more from Kindred Spirits here