Aviation Heritage

Balloons and Airships

In September 1784, the first flight by a hot air balloon
in England was undertaken by the Italian aeronaut
Vincenzo Lunardi. Taking off from London, he
touched down firstly at Welham Green
(nr. Brookmans Park), where a stone marks the
spot - then 12 miles (19 kilometres) later his journey
ended 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. They were part of
the Imperial Airship Service, with plans for regular
flights to the far corners of the British
Empire. Tragically the R101 crashed over France
on its maiden voyage, and a large memorial stands
in the graveyard at Cardington. Another famous
airship site was created at Pulham St. Mary 
(nr. Diss) - the R33 (or 'Pulham Pig') 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 (Zeppelins). 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. The first airlines were founded, record-breaking flights took
place and spectacular air races were held. One of the most famous of these was
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 in Old Warden
(nr. Biggleswade) - along with many other examples of early aeroplanes.

Record-breaking flights to India (1929) and South Africa (1930) were undertaken by
Mary, the Flying Duchess - wife of the 11th Duke of Bedford. She learnt to fly at the
age of 60, and used to land her de Havilland Gypsy Moth 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 RAF prototype warplanes.

de Havilland

One of the greatest names in the design and
manufacture of aeroplanes - the de Havilland
Aircraft Company was established in 1920 by
Sir Geoffrey de Havilland. It's two most famous
creations are the Moth and Mosquito. The latter was
designed in secret at Salisbury Hall, London Colney
(nr. St. Albans), now home to the de Havilland
Aircraft Heritage Centre, which contains the
prototype of the plane. The company also developed
a factory/airfield at Hatfield (closed 1992). Visit the
Imperial War Museum Duxford (nr. Cambridge) to
see the de Havilland Comet 4, which made history in
1958 by becoming the first jet aircraft to cross the
Atlantic with fare paying passengers onboard.

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 (nr. Saffron Walden),
Martlesham Heath (nr. Ipswich) and North Weald (nr. Epping)
participated in the Battle of Britain (1940).

The county of Bedfordshire became known as the 'spy capital of Britain'.
Tempsford Airfield (nr. St. Neots) was one of the departure points for aircraft
involved in agent and parachute drops into enemy occupied territory.

USAAF

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
servicemen 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. Close
associations with residents of the region produced long lasting friendships,
sometimes even marriage.

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 servicemen based in Britain