In 1938 the airfield was taken over by the government, and during the Second World War was the home of the Air Transport Auxiliary between its formation in early 1940 and disbandment during September 1945.

[2] The ATA staged a unique Air Display and Air Pageant at White Waltham on 29 September 1945 which was opened by Lord Beaverbrook and featured a memorable static park of Allied and German aircraft and the flying included Alex Henshaw displaying a Seafire Mk45.

After the war, the airfield was also used by Fairey Aviation and later Westland Helicopters, which assembled and tested aircraft built at their Hayes factory.

The example that was stored at the airfield has now been moved to the Solway Aviation Museum at Carlisle Lake District Airport where restoration is ongoing.

[7][8] The following units were also here at some point:[9] On 24 June 1989, the Fairey Hangar, on the north side of the airfield, was the venue for one of the largest acid house raves to be held at that time.

The airfield plays a vital role as the hub for the Queens Flight in Nevil Shute's fiction " In the Wet" of 1953.