RAF Upavon

RAF Upavon was a significant Royal Air Force station located on the Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. Established before the formation of the RAF itself, it served as a crucial early military aerodrome and later as a major training and administrative hub. Its long history encompasses pivotal roles in the development of British military aviation, from the Royal Flying Corps through both World War I and World War II.

History

The station's origins lie in 1912 when the land was requisitioned for the Central Flying School, which moved from RAF Larkhill to become the premier training establishment for the Royal Flying Corps. During World War I, it functioned as a major training aerodrome for pilots and observers, with its importance underscored by a visit from King George V in 1914. Following the formation of the Royal Air Force in 1918, it briefly served as the headquarters for the RAF's Middle East Command during the 1920s. The station was notably the site where Marshal of the Royal Air Force John Salmond took command of the newly formed RAF Fighter Command in 1936. Activity intensified during World War II, with Upavon hosting various training and operational units, including elements of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Post-war, it became home to the Central Flying School once again and later the headquarters of No. 38 Group RAF. The station closed in 1993, with much of the site subsequently absorbed by the adjacent Army Air Corps base at Middle Wallop.

Role and operations

Throughout its operational life, the station's primary role was training and command. As the home of the Central Flying School, it was fundamental in standardizing flying instruction for the Royal Flying Corps and later the Royal Air Force. During World War II, its operations expanded to include training for Air Observation Post pilots in cooperation with the Royal Artillery, and it served as a base for Air Sea Rescue units. In the post-war era, it transitioned to supporting Royal Air Force Germany with transport and communications flights under No. 38 Group RAF. The station also played a key administrative role, housing the headquarters for several major commands including the RAF's Middle East Command and elements of RAF Support Command.

Based units

Numerous flying and support units were based at the station across its history. The most famous resident was the Central Flying School, which was headquartered there on two separate occasions. Significant operational units included No. 17 Squadron RAF, which flew Armstrong Whitworth Siskin and later Gloster Gladiator aircraft in the inter-war period. During World War II, it hosted No. 3 Flying Training School RAF, No. 1447 Flight RAF for Air Observation Post training, and a detachment of No. 275 Squadron RAF for Air Sea Rescue. Post-war, the station was dominated by No. 38 Group RAF, with associated squadrons like No. 21 Squadron RAF operating the English Electric Canberra and No. 207 Squadron RAF flying the Avro Vulcan.

Facilities

The station was built around a large grass airfield characteristic of early military aerodromes, situated on the high ground of the Salisbury Plain. Its technical site included multiple Bellman hangars and later, more permanent brick and steel hangar structures for aircraft maintenance. A distinctive landmark was the large, neo-Georgian style officers' mess, which served as a social and administrative centre. Living accommodations were spread across the site in standard Royal Air Force barracks blocks. The station also had extensive support facilities including workshops, an armory, and a control tower, with its infrastructure evolving from the World War I era through the Cold War.

In popular culture

The station has featured in several notable literary and cinematic works. It is famously depicted as the primary setting for W. E. Johns' early Biggles stories, where the protagonist James Bigglesworth is stationed as a young pilot in the Royal Flying Corps. The station's environment and the experiences of trainee pilots during World War I heavily influenced Johns' writing. Furthermore, the aerodrome was used as a filming location for the 1969 war film The Battle of Britain, standing in for a Royal Air Force Fighter Command airfield during the Battle of Britain. Its historic buildings and open plain provided an authentic backdrop for the movie's depiction of the Second World War.

Category:Royal Air Force stations in Wiltshire Category:Military installations established in 1912 Category:1993 disestablishments in England