After a night out in lemmington spa i came across the famous RAF Bicester and stopped for a look around. being with the Girlfriend i wanted to pop her urbex cherry.
Heres a bit of history taken from blhs.org.uk.
The aerodrome at caversfield was originally established during the first world war as a training facility for those destined to serve on the western front.
It opened at the end of 1917, with canvas hangars, under the control of Southern Army Command.
The first unit to be based was 118 Sqn. with Bristol F2b Fighters which moved in during August. In October No. 44 Training Depot Station moved in from Port Meadow, near Oxford, with the role to train Fighter and Reconnaissance crews. Following the cessation of hostilities, Bicester became a clearing house for British prisoners of war and in November 118 Sqn. disbanded.
the station officially closed on 17 March 1920 and the wartime buildings were soon demolished.
In 1925 Bicester was earmarked as a three squadron airfield with
six permanent hangars. Additional fields to the west of the airfield
were acquired and during reconstruction, defence cuts had
reduced the number of aircraft in a squadron from 18 to 12, and
only two hangars were erected.
In 1927 Bicester re-opened but did not receive its first aircraft until December when 100 Sqn, with Hawker Horsleys took up residence.
In 1934 101 Sqn. moved in with Boulton Paul Sidestrand medium bombers.
In 1937 as part of the RAF expansion plans the construction of two new hangars commenced in front of the existing two during July. During the year a bomb dump, an additional barrack block and additional officers and airmen’s married quarters, a fire station and a watch office (control tower) were taking shape.
During 1939 the prototype Handley Page Halifax four engined bomber had its first test flight here at Bicester.
The years after the war the base was used as an american weapons depo, Maintenance Unit, a Repair and Salvage unit reformed at Bicester
It also housed and maintained aircraft for public exhibition.
One side of the airfield is still in use to day for light aircraft and gliders.
And now some pictures.....
088 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
087 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
056 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
055 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
006 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
005 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
008 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
013 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
024 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
028 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
029 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
032 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
035 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
039 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
042 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
048 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
050 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
061 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
065 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
081 by SMCGILL09, on Flickr
