MEMORIES OF RAF BICESTER

A look at the life of this fascinating site

Bicester airfield has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, turning from a run-down MOD site into the UK’S first business park devoted entirely to preservation and restoration of historic cars. But the site’s economic success is only half the story. Alongside creating a thriving business centre, Bicester Heritage is focused on the preservation of history, and of the 19 Grade Ii-listed buildings and 11 areas of Scheduled Ancient Monuments dotted around the aerodrome.

The earliest parts of the site date back to its construction in 1916, becoming an active station the following year with the arrival of the Royal Flying Corps and No 118 Squadron. Back then, canvas-covered Bessonneau hangars were used, which were quickly replaced by more substantial aircraft sheds. Military flying at Bicester commenced in 1918, lasting just two years.

The hiatus was brief, however. By 1923 the site was reopened by the newly formed Royal Air Force Aerodrome Board, and with it came a period of change. Just two of the original WW1 huts still stood, with all of the others completely destroyed – even the foundations and drains were removed. Most of the current buildings were built during this period.

Flying resumed in 1928, and by the mid-’30s the threat of war in Europe had prompted another burst of development, followed by a key role in the training of air crews until October 1944. An increasing reliance on night operations ruled out Bicester as a frontline bomber base, as did its runways, which couldn’t support the heavier, higher-performance aircraft of the time.

Following the war, Bicester’s role changed and by 1953 it was home to No 71 Maintenance Unit. Damaged craft were brought to the base, where they were reconstructed in one of the hangars to assist with air crash investigations. Military operations ceased in 1976, though the RAF maintained it as a glider training facility – a number of glider missions were launched from Bicester during the closing stages of the war.

Though its relevance faded, the site still had its uses. In 1990, the base was staffed by medical personnel to prepare for casualties from Operation Desert Shield, though thankfully the influx of the wounded never materialised. The doors of RAF Bicester were officially closed in 2004.

No 90 Squadron reformed at Bicester on 15 March 1937, flying first Hawker Hind biplanes followed by Bristol Blenheims (pictured) from May of that year. The Squadron served as a training unit during the opening years of WW2, and went on to launch its...

A Vickers Virginia VII from No 7 Squadron lines up on the apron in ’32. The Squadron has a colourful history, being the first to intercept enemy aircraft over British soil as well as being home to Captain John Aiden Liddell, who won the Victoria Cross...

During the Queen’s visit, the unit carried out a dynamic demonstration by airlifting a stricken Chipmunk training aircraft using a Westland Wessex, which entered active service just four years earlier. It was the first large mass-produced helicopter to...