The history (from wiki)
RAF Upper Heyford was a Royal Air Force station located 5 miles (8 km) north-west of Bicester near the village of Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire, England.
The station was first used by the Royal Flying Corps in 1916 but was not brought into use for flying until July 1918 by the Royal Air Force. During the inter-war years and continuing through the Second World War until 1950 Upper Heyford was used mainly as a training facility. During the Cold War, Upper Heyford initially served as a base for United States Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC) strategic bombers and later United States Air Forces In Europe (USAFE) tactical reconnaissance, fighter and fighter-bomber aircraft in the UK.
With the end of the Cold War, the presence of the 20th TFW was deemed no longer necessary in England. The USAF presence at RAF Upper Heyford was gradually phased down. The last US aircraft departed from Upper Heyford on 7th December 1993
The visit was organised through the management company there, and the guide, Don, was an absolute diamond. He must be around 75-80 and there is nothing he doesn't know about this site. A real salt of the earth chap.
On with some photos:
Aircraft Hangar
Sadly Don wouldn't let me climb this lookout tower
Weather tower
The control bunker was excellent:
Decontamination shower
Officers had to put clothes in here for washing before entry to control room
Switchboard
After the tour of the airfield side was over, I made my way over the road to the community side for a few more shots:
US Gas Pumps
Bleachers for the baseball pitch:
Large classroom
US Style fire hydrant
Boiler room
US style street sign
This site is well worth a visit in my book, and one I had to get done as it is local to me. A good afternoon.
RAF Upper Heyford was a Royal Air Force station located 5 miles (8 km) north-west of Bicester near the village of Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire, England.
The station was first used by the Royal Flying Corps in 1916 but was not brought into use for flying until July 1918 by the Royal Air Force. During the inter-war years and continuing through the Second World War until 1950 Upper Heyford was used mainly as a training facility. During the Cold War, Upper Heyford initially served as a base for United States Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC) strategic bombers and later United States Air Forces In Europe (USAFE) tactical reconnaissance, fighter and fighter-bomber aircraft in the UK.
With the end of the Cold War, the presence of the 20th TFW was deemed no longer necessary in England. The USAF presence at RAF Upper Heyford was gradually phased down. The last US aircraft departed from Upper Heyford on 7th December 1993
The visit was organised through the management company there, and the guide, Don, was an absolute diamond. He must be around 75-80 and there is nothing he doesn't know about this site. A real salt of the earth chap.
On with some photos:
Aircraft Hangar
Sadly Don wouldn't let me climb this lookout tower
Weather tower
The control bunker was excellent:
Decontamination shower
Officers had to put clothes in here for washing before entry to control room
Switchboard
After the tour of the airfield side was over, I made my way over the road to the community side for a few more shots:
US Gas Pumps
Bleachers for the baseball pitch:
Large classroom
US Style fire hydrant
Boiler room
US style street sign
This site is well worth a visit in my book, and one I had to get done as it is local to me. A good afternoon.
