RAF Andover

RAF Andover. It was a major military airfield and headquarters establishment located near the town of Andover, Hampshire. First established during the First World War, it became a significant station for the Royal Flying Corps and later the Royal Air Force, serving in roles ranging from training and bombing to transport and high-level command. The station played a central part in the development of RAF transport and communications, and later housed the headquarters of Maintenance Command and Technical Training Command.

History

The origins of the station lie in 1912 when the War Office acquired land for the Central Flying School, though this unit moved to RAF Upavon before operations began. Established as a formal airfield in August 1917 for the Royal Flying Corps, it initially hosted training units for pilots and observers. Following the formation of the Royal Air Force in 1918, it became home to No. 2 School of Navigation and Bomb Dropping. In the interwar period, it was a key base for the RAF's nascent bomber forces, with units like No. 12 Squadron operating the Fairey Fox and Hawker Hart. During the Second World War, it served as a vital transport and communications hub, with No. 24 Squadron operating a fleet of various aircraft from the base. Post-war, it transitioned to a headquarters role, notably for RAF Maintenance Command under Air Chief Marshal Sir John Baker.

Facilities and units

The airfield featured extensive hangars, technical sites, and administrative buildings characteristic of a permanent RAF station. Key operational units based here included No. 12 Squadron, No. 24 Squadron, and No. 142 Squadron. It also housed important training schools such as the School of Navigation and the RAF Staff College. The station was equipped to handle a wide variety of aircraft, from early biplanes like the Airco DH.9A to later transports such as the Douglas Dakota and Vickers Valetta. Its infrastructure supported its evolution into a major command centre, accommodating the headquarters of Technical Training Command and Signals Command.

Role and operations

Throughout its existence, the station's role evolved significantly. Initially a training base for the Royal Flying Corps, it developed into an important bomber station during the 1920s and 1930s. Its most critical operational period came during the Second World War, when it functioned as a primary transport and communications node for the RAF, facilitating the movement of personnel and matériel. Aircraft from Andover were involved in support missions across Europe, including the Normandy landings. After 1945, its flying role diminished as it became a central headquarters site, overseeing vital support functions like engineering, supply, and technical training for the entire Royal Air Force.

Notable events

The station was the site of the RAF Pageant in 1932, a major public air display. In 1936, it witnessed the first official flight of the Queen Bee radio-controlled target aircraft. During the Second World War, it was visited by numerous senior Allied figures, including Prime Minister Winston Churchill and General Dwight D. Eisenhower. A significant post-war event was the establishment of the Joint Services School for Linguists there in 1951. The station also features in aviation history as an early base for Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Arthur Harris, later head of RAF Bomber Command.

Current use

Flying operations ceased in the late 1960s, and the station was officially closed in 1977. The site was subsequently redeveloped. Part of the former airfield is now occupied by the Army Air Corps Middle Wallop-based Defence Helicopter Flying School at DSAE Chicksands, though this is a separate entity. The majority of the land has been transformed into a business park known as Andover Business Park, while some original buildings, including the former Officers' Mess, have been preserved and repurposed. The area also incorporates modern housing and industrial estates, with little remaining of the operational airfield.