RAF Bicester: The Most Complete Interwar RAF Bomber Station

Origins and Early Development of RAF Bicester

RAF Bicester was originally established in 1916 as a training aerodrome for the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War. The site was constructed with the help of diverse labour groups, including Canadian sappers, Portuguese and Chinese workers, and German prisoners of war. Initially featuring canvas-covered hangars, the airfield opened towards the end of 1917 and hosted units such as 118 Squadron flying Bristol F2b Fighters. After a brief closure in 1920, the airfield was redeveloped starting in 1925 as part of the RAF’s expansion under Sir Hugh Trenchard’s policy of offensive deterrence, which emphasized bomber force development. This redevelopment included the construction of permanent hangars and facilities to accommodate larger bomber aircraft.

Strategic Role Through the Interwar Period and World War II

Throughout the 1930s, RAF Bicester grew in importance as a bomber base, hosting aircraft such as the Sidestrand, Overstrand, and later the Bristol Blenheim bombers. It became a key training centre for bomber crews, including pilots, observers, and gunners, preparing personnel from Britain and Commonwealth countries for operational service. The site also played a significant role in aircraft development and testing; notably, the first prototype of the Handley Page Halifax heavy bomber was secretly assembled and took its maiden flight here in October 1939. During World War II, RAF Bicester functioned as an Operational Training Unit until 1944, training crews for Bomber Command and supporting the buildup for major operations such as D-Day.

Preserved Landscape and Military Architecture

RAF Bicester retains much of its original 1939 boundary layout, including the grass flying field, which remains largely intact. The site is bounded by a group of bomb stores built in the late 1920s and early 1930s, alongside defensive features such as pillboxes, trenches, and air-raid shelters constructed in the early war years. The hangars, control tower, and workshop buildings exemplify the architectural style of the interwar RAF expansion period, carefully matching the original design ethos. This military landscape represents one of the most complete surviving examples of an RAF bomber station from this era, recognized as a Scheduled Monument and protected for its historical significance.

Postwar Use and Modern Transformation

After the war, RAF Bicester transitioned through various roles including aircraft crash investigation, repair work, parachute servicing, and gliding operations. The domestic site was sold in 2010, and the airfield ceased military flying operations in 2004. In recent years, the former RAF Bicester has been transformed into Bicester Heritage, the UK’s first business campus dedicated to historic motoring and aviation specialists. This adaptive reuse has preserved over 70% of the site’s buildings and structures, fostering a vibrant community focused on the restoration and preservation of vintage aircraft and automobiles.

Ongoing Conservation and Heritage Significance

Historic England and Bicester Heritage continue to work together to conserve and restore the site’s unique features, including recently discovered shelter-like structures whose original purpose remains a mystery. Funding and public engagement efforts aim to safeguard this rare example of RAF history for future generations. The site’s combination of original grass runways, bomb stores, defensive works, and hangars offers an unparalleled window into the RAF’s interwar and World War II bomber operations, making RAF Bicester a vital cultural and historical landmark in the UK’s military heritage.

Experience and Atmosphere Today

Visitors to RAF Bicester encounter a remarkable time capsule of RAF history, where the echoes of bomber crews training for critical wartime missions still resonate across the grass airfield. The preserved architecture and landscape invite reflection on the evolution of air power and the dedication of those who served here. The site’s current role as a hub for heritage motoring and aviation specialists adds a dynamic layer to its story, blending historical reverence with active preservation and craftsmanship.