History, from RAF Upper Heyford - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
RAF Upper Heyford was a Royal Air Force station located 5 miles (8 km) north-west of Bicester near the village of Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire, England.
The station was first used by the Royal Flying Corps in 1916 but was not brought into use for flying until July 1918 by the Royal Air Force. During the inter-war years and continuing through the Second World War until 1950 Upper Heyford was used mainly as a training facility. During the Cold War, Upper Heyford initially served as a base for United States Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC) strategic bombers and later United States Air Forces In Europe (USAFE) tactical reconnaissance, fighter and fighter-bomber aircraft in the UK.
Upper Heyford was unique among bases in the United Kingdom as only the flight-line area required military identification to access. The rest of the base, save the commercial facilities, was accessible to military and non-military alike. Upper Heyford was also unique in that the airspace around the base (from the surface to 3500') was protected by a mandatory radio area (UHMRA) in which private pilots were required to be in contact with the base controllers on frequency 128.55 when flying past or overhead.
Report.
This was by far the best explore I we have done, myself and my partner have been planning on doing this one for a while. Some planning and a camera and 2 camera phones ended up with flat batteries on this one, over 200 pic taken on this visit alone.
We did a cheeky on this one, decided to camp just outside next to the empty fuel station, and was asked to leave after an ok nights sleep.
Went to have food, and returned about 11am.
Most other reports focus on the airfield and hospital/school site, however this part of the complex which is next to housing and Thames Valley Police was a more interesting one to access without getting spotted. In all we spent almost 4 hours exploring various barracks, mess hall, training buildings, and an onsite dance clubs and gaming arcade.
There was also a lot of wall art which was painted in the dorm/barracks from the 60/70s period onwards, only a hand full will be posted now, but if anyone wants to see more, then more will be posted, as there must have been 40+ in individual dorm rooms, and 20+ in common areas such as TV rooms, hall ways and stair wells.
There are 3 clear stages of buildings, which consists of 1925 art decco dorms and admin buildings, something about the 1940s/50s era and the classic quick built 1960s/70s which is where the art is.
Report Pics.
1. Fuel Pump.
2. Inner workings.
3. War era barracks.
4. 1960s era barracks.
5. Inside showing the layout of the bedsit type of accommodation. Every room has the same fittings and carpet. There was a shared bathroom that went into the bedsit on the opposite side.
6. Left is the dance hall, right is a 1930s art decco barracks.
7. Inside was a mess as it was used for training exercises after the base had closed, however this building did have some artwork. This one would have been the unit that was here.
8. Not sure if this is an original 1930s Captin America or a later version.
9. This is the rear of the main mess hall. This building is also a 1930s art deco with a few modern extensions.
10. An american diner style seating that remains.
11. Classic 1930s stairs.
12. Some of the advanced decay upstairs. This room was like a greenhouse.
13. Boiler room in the basement.
14. Some major kitchen equipment, this looks like an automated bakery.
15. These barracks are about 1970s. Most of the artwork are in these buildings. We explored 2 of them and there are 4 more. The rooms were simple, a large single room, a shared TV room, and shared bathrooms. Each level has 24 dorm rooms, 1 TV room, and Bathroom/toilets, separated by a central stairwell.
16. Artwork in one of the TV rooms.
17. This one is in the entry hall.
18. This one is in the main stairwell.
19. The next floor.
20. Another TV room.
In all over 60 images of artwork in these buildings and this was only about 40% of what was open. Our time was cut short when 4 workmen walked past us (how they didn't see us remains a topic in itself), they went to check out something that went underground. A return visit will happen soon to look at this and other buildings.
Other images include and can post if requested:
A second but smaller mess hall.
A 1930s chapel converted into admin offices.
A large 1970s era dance hall complete with a slot machine arcade, a shop, ticket office, 3 bars, and 3 dance clubs. Also extensive kitchens and even a walk in safe room.
50 other art pictures
Training HQ.
Thanks.
Merlin.
RAF Upper Heyford was a Royal Air Force station located 5 miles (8 km) north-west of Bicester near the village of Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire, England.
The station was first used by the Royal Flying Corps in 1916 but was not brought into use for flying until July 1918 by the Royal Air Force. During the inter-war years and continuing through the Second World War until 1950 Upper Heyford was used mainly as a training facility. During the Cold War, Upper Heyford initially served as a base for United States Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC) strategic bombers and later United States Air Forces In Europe (USAFE) tactical reconnaissance, fighter and fighter-bomber aircraft in the UK.
Upper Heyford was unique among bases in the United Kingdom as only the flight-line area required military identification to access. The rest of the base, save the commercial facilities, was accessible to military and non-military alike. Upper Heyford was also unique in that the airspace around the base (from the surface to 3500') was protected by a mandatory radio area (UHMRA) in which private pilots were required to be in contact with the base controllers on frequency 128.55 when flying past or overhead.
Report.
This was by far the best explore I we have done, myself and my partner have been planning on doing this one for a while. Some planning and a camera and 2 camera phones ended up with flat batteries on this one, over 200 pic taken on this visit alone.
We did a cheeky on this one, decided to camp just outside next to the empty fuel station, and was asked to leave after an ok nights sleep.
Went to have food, and returned about 11am.
Most other reports focus on the airfield and hospital/school site, however this part of the complex which is next to housing and Thames Valley Police was a more interesting one to access without getting spotted. In all we spent almost 4 hours exploring various barracks, mess hall, training buildings, and an onsite dance clubs and gaming arcade.
There was also a lot of wall art which was painted in the dorm/barracks from the 60/70s period onwards, only a hand full will be posted now, but if anyone wants to see more, then more will be posted, as there must have been 40+ in individual dorm rooms, and 20+ in common areas such as TV rooms, hall ways and stair wells.
There are 3 clear stages of buildings, which consists of 1925 art decco dorms and admin buildings, something about the 1940s/50s era and the classic quick built 1960s/70s which is where the art is.
Report Pics.
1. Fuel Pump.
2. Inner workings.
3. War era barracks.
4. 1960s era barracks.
5. Inside showing the layout of the bedsit type of accommodation. Every room has the same fittings and carpet. There was a shared bathroom that went into the bedsit on the opposite side.
6. Left is the dance hall, right is a 1930s art decco barracks.
7. Inside was a mess as it was used for training exercises after the base had closed, however this building did have some artwork. This one would have been the unit that was here.
8. Not sure if this is an original 1930s Captin America or a later version.
9. This is the rear of the main mess hall. This building is also a 1930s art deco with a few modern extensions.
10. An american diner style seating that remains.
11. Classic 1930s stairs.
12. Some of the advanced decay upstairs. This room was like a greenhouse.
13. Boiler room in the basement.
14. Some major kitchen equipment, this looks like an automated bakery.
15. These barracks are about 1970s. Most of the artwork are in these buildings. We explored 2 of them and there are 4 more. The rooms were simple, a large single room, a shared TV room, and shared bathrooms. Each level has 24 dorm rooms, 1 TV room, and Bathroom/toilets, separated by a central stairwell.
16. Artwork in one of the TV rooms.
17. This one is in the entry hall.
18. This one is in the main stairwell.
19. The next floor.
20. Another TV room.
In all over 60 images of artwork in these buildings and this was only about 40% of what was open. Our time was cut short when 4 workmen walked past us (how they didn't see us remains a topic in itself), they went to check out something that went underground. A return visit will happen soon to look at this and other buildings.
Other images include and can post if requested:
A second but smaller mess hall.
A 1930s chapel converted into admin offices.
A large 1970s era dance hall complete with a slot machine arcade, a shop, ticket office, 3 bars, and 3 dance clubs. Also extensive kitchens and even a walk in safe room.
50 other art pictures
Training HQ.
Thanks.
Merlin.
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