Aviation Heritage
Discover Britain's great aviation history in the East of England. From the very beginnings of flight - with balloons and airships, to the present day airfields of the RAF and USAF.
Balloons and Airships
In September 1784, the first flight by a hot air balloon in England was undertaken by the Italian aeronaut Vincenzo Lunardi. He touched down at Standon Green End (nr. Ware), where the ‘Balloon Stone' marks the achievement. From 1916, a large site at Cardington (nr. Bedford) was developed for the purpose of airship research and production. It became home to the R100 and R101 airships - with the two gigantic sheds still dominating the landscape today. Tragically the R101 crashed on its maiden voyage, and a large memorial stands in the graveyard at Cardington. Another famous airship site was created at Pulham Market - the R33 was a regular visitor and is depicted on the village sign.
Early Years
The first airfield sites in the East of England were the grass landing grounds of the First World War, used for training and home defence against the huge German airships. At Cuffley (nr Cheshunt), a memorial marks the spot where the first of these was brought down in Britain in September 1916. With war over, the role of aviation changed from military use to that of travel, recreation and sport. Spectacular air races were held, such as the MacRobertson: England (Mildenhall) to Australia (Melbourne) Air Race in October 1934. The winning aircraft, the de Havilland Comet ‘Grosvenor House' is now preserved at The Shuttleworth Collection - along with many other examples of early aeroplanes (such as a 1909 Bleriot). Record-breaking flights around the world were undertaken by Mary, the Flying Duchess - wife of the 11th Duke of Bedford. She used to land her plane in front of her home at Woburn Abbey Opened in 1917, the airfield at Martlesham Heath (nr. Ipswich) became famous for its top secret experimental work into warplanes.
de Havilland
One of the greatest names in the design and manufacture of aeroplanes - the de Havilland Aircraft Company was established in 1920. It's two most famous creations are the Moth and Mosquito. The latter was designed in secret at Salisbury Hall (nr. St. Albans), now home to the de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre, which contains the prototype of the plane. The company also developed a large factory and airfield at Hatfield (closed 1992). Visit the Imperial War Museum (Duxford) to see the de Havilland Comet 4, which in 1958 became the first jet aircraft to cross the Atlantic with fare paying passengers.
Faster and Higher
Coming more up to date, the region is home to some fine examples of aircraft that have achieved iconic status. The fearsome Vulcan bomber is on display at the City of Norwich Aviation Museum - or climb aboard the world's first supersonic airline Concorde at the Imperial War Museum (Duxford) You can learn more about British aviation history at Duxford's Airspace, whilst the history of radar comes alive at the award-winning RAF Air Defence Radar Museum
The region is also home to two of the most important US airbases in Europe, and the communities, towns and villages that surround them form our very own slice of Little America. Lakenheath is England's largest US Air Force operated base, whilst nearby Mildenhall is noted for its aerial refueling, special operations, reconnaissance and intelligence. Key RAF airfields include: Marham, with its Tornado squadrons and Wittering - home of the Harrier.
Check out our full listing of aviation heritage places to visit.
Aviation Events
Enjoy our range of aviation events - from the thrills and spills of air shows (with fast jets, spectacular aerobatics and vintage bi-planes), to nostalgic wartime re-enactments and musical 'aerial' proms. Check out our listing of aviation events
Enjoy our range of aviation events - from the thrills and spills of air shows to nostalgic wartime re-enactments and musical 'aerial' proms.
The RAF
In the mid 1930's with war again looming, the RAF began a massive programme of expansion across the Eastern Counties, which provided an ideal platform for a possible offensive (it's flat landscape and proximity to Europe, excellent for the construction of airfields). Soon many were home to the planes of RAF Bomber Command. Whilst others became important as fighter bases - aircraft from Debden, Martlesham Heath and North Weald participated in the Battle of Britain (1940). The county of Bedfordshire became known as the 'spy capital of Britain'. Tempsford Airfield was one of the departure points for aircraft involved in agent and parachute drops into enemy occupied territory.
In 1942, the Americans arrived, and many airfields were made available to the USAAF (United States Army Air Force), so by 1943 there were over 100,000 US airmen based in Britain. The largest concentration was in the East of England, where most of the 8th Air Force and some of the 9th were located on near a hundred bases. The 8th Air Force was the largest air striking force ever committed to battle, with the first units arriving in May 1942. The 9th Air Force was re-formed in England in October 1943 - it was the operator of the most formidable troop-carrying force ever assembled.
Their arrival had an immediate impact on the East Anglian scene. This was the 'friendly invasion' - a time of jitterbugging dances and big band sounds, while the British got their first taste of peanut butter, chewing gum and Coke. Famous US bandleader Glenn Miller was based in the Bedford area (Bedfordshire), along with his orchestra. Close associations with residents of the region produced long lasting friendships, sometimes even marriage.
The USAAF
John Appleby was a serviceman stationed at Lavenham and Thorpe Abbotts during 1945. He spent his free time exploring the area by bicycle, recording his memories in a book 'Suffolk Summer'. Still in print today, the royalities of the book maintain a rose garden at Bury St. Edmunds. Bassingbourn was the home of the famous 'Memphis Belle' - the first B-17 to complete her tour of duty during World War II. At The Eagle pub in Cambridge and The Swan Hotel at Lavenham, airmen have left their signatures on the ceiling and walls.
With the end of the Second World War, the RAF and USAAF were once again reduced to a peace-time level, and many of the wartime sites were closed down, leaving the more permanent pre-war airfields to be developed for the post-war air force. Today visitors can discover many of the old airfields - which have found new uses or have been returned to agricultural land. Many have been identified by special signs set alongside the road, some have memorials to past squadrons, others have original control towers which have been lovingly restored with displays and exhibitions.
At Cambridge you can visit the only Second World War American Military Cemetery and Memorial in Britain. Whilst at Norwich, there is the Second Air Division Memorial Library of the 8th Air Force. The Imperial War Museum (Duxford) is home of the 'American Air Museum', which stands as a memorial to the 30,000 Americans who died flying from the UK in the Second World War. The building houses a unique collection of US aircraft.
Download our free USAAF Airfields Guide and Map - which provides a detailed listing of related airfields and memorials in the East of England region.
