RAF Upper Heyford from the air
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RAF Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire, September 2012
There was an air base here from 1918 through to 1994 with the last USAF F-111 leaving the base in December 1993, according to wikipedia.
Please follow the link at the bottom of this page for more history.
Upper Heyford was used in the movies ‘World War Z’ and ‘The Fourth Protocol’
This is the M40, looking North to Junction 10 and Cherwell Valley services. The village at left is Ardley which is right by the end of the runway. Follow Google map link below.
Thanks to Damien of Air Frame Photography for the flight in his vintage Piper Cub.
Hi Ian,
Hope you are well.
Nice record shots – and a Cub flight too!
Had a base tour there ‘twice’ in a week when I was with the ATC and the F-111’s were new in! That was 1971 and the place was crawling with them – 3 squadrons. No HAS complexes were built then of course so it was just Hangars and most were just parked out on the pans. Can’t have been good with all that British rain seeping in!
Got to stop off there a couple of times in the 90’s when back and forth to Brum but only have a couple of shots of the 111’s from that time.
Saw one of the last movements – A US Navy Herc in there back sometime in the early 90’s.
So sad to see it disused but at least it’s intact!
Been back in the area this last week as was working locally and I could see some of Heyford’s old USAF white buildings and HAS units up on the hill!
Cheers, Rob
Hi Rob,
Cracking memories there! There’s a book in your stories of visiting air bases across the globe in search of a good shot. Your photos deserve a plug;
crusader752
Ian
I thoroughly enjoyed the aerial tour of Upper Heyford. I don’t know why I never thought to look for info about RAF Upper Heyford sooner.I was stationed there from 1959 to 1963 when it was SAC B-47, B-52 and KC-135s. We also launched U-2’s from a top secret hangar. You rarely saw the U-2s. They would launch at daybreak and not return until evening. I was there when Gary Powers was downed over Russia. Was quite a tense time waiting to see if Kruchev would retaliate. Most of the men I served with are now passed but not forgotten. Thanks for the memories!
Fascinating to hear your memories Jerome! I was only watching the movie Bridge of Spies the other day, which then had me reading all about Gary Powers again.
Thank you for stopping by and adding a comment.
Ian
No ‘airbase’at Heyford in 1915 or 1916: the ground was not cleared for building until 1918.
Amended it now. Don’t know where I got the 1915 or 1916 detail from. Ta.