North Weald Airfield

North Weald Airfield is an operational general aviation aerodrome, in the civil parish of North Weald Bassett in Epping Forest, Essex, England. It was an important fighter station during the Battle of Britain, when it was known as the RAF Station RAF North Weald. It is the home of North Weald Airfield Museum. It is home to many private aircraft and historic types, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance helicopter and is an active flight training airfield.

History

Royal Flying Corps Station North Weald Bassett aerodrome was established in the summer of 1916 during the First World War by the Royal Flying Corps. Later it became Royal Air Force with effect from Monday 1 April 1918. Its military functions continued to develop during the interwar period, with the building of large hangars and accommodation for Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel. The airfield played an important part in the air defence strategy of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. Initially Hawker Hurricanes were deployed at the airfield, alongside Bristol Blenheim night fighters. The Hurricanes from North Weald saw action over the beaches of Dunkirk and played a key role in the Battle of Britain. In 1940, two American Eagle Squadrons moved into North Weald supplied with Supermarine Spitfires. A couple of years later, Norwegian squadrons were reassigned to the airfield.

Following the war jet fighter squadrons were based at North Weald. The sight of Gloster Meteors and de Havilland Vampire fighters in the west Essex skies was commonplace from 1949. In the late 1940s and until the mid-60s an Air Training Corps gliding school, latterly No 614 VGS, also operated at North Weald on weekends, teaching cadets up to certificate B. Later the Essex Gliding Club was formed at North Weald and operated for many years until local airspace congestion forced a move to Ridgewell in North Essex.

The Control Tower was built in 1952 as part of the early Cold War modernisation efforts. A Grade II listed building, it remains one of only seven control towers of this type to be built and considered to be one of the best surviving examples.

The last front line combat unit, No. 111 Squadron RAF flying Hawker Hunters, the famous Black Arrows of 22 loop formation fame, left North Weald in 1958. In 1964 the RAF withdrew from the airfield completely.
The first Royal International Air Tattoo was held at North Weald in 1971.
The airfield spent time in both British Army and Royal Navy hands for a short time until in 1979 North Weald became surplus to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) operational requirements and was sold to Epping Forest District Council.

An original 1927 hangar remains, as does the former Officers Mess, a Grade II listed building. Some former married quarters dating from the early 1970s (and now in private ownership) can be seen in Lancaster and York Roads. A Hawker Hurricane Mk1 replica has been erected near the main gate and can be viewed on market days.

Civilian use

North Weald is a general aviation airfield with over 40,000 movements per annum, connecting people from London and Essex, with destinations across England and abroad by air travel.

The airfield is home to a collection of vintage and veteran aircraft such as the Supermarine Spitfire, North American P-51 Mustang, Curtiss Kittyhawk, Douglas Dakota, Douglas Skyraider, Supermarine Seafire and North American Harvard.
The aircraft are kept airworthy and many are available for experience flights.
The resident operators include Hangar 11 Collection, Aero Legends, and Kennet Aviation.
It's also home to early ex-military jets such as the Hunter, Venom, Vampire, Gnat, Jet Provost. The Hawker Hunter, which crashed at the 2015 Shoreham Airshow was based at North Weald.

Pilot training, aircraft rental and pleasure flights on general aviation types such as Cessna 172

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