Bedford (Thurleigh)

Bedford , Bedfordshire , England

united kingdom United Kingdom










Satellite and aerial maps of Bedford (Thurleigh) with nearby locations


Nearby locationsKmBearing
Bedford Autodrome , England 0.9329
Bedford Aerodrome , England 1.2078EGBF
Little Staughton , England 6.9078
Cardington , England 14.1168GBCRT
RAF Molesworth , England 17.6008GBMLS
Brampton , England 18.4058



  Bedford (Thurleigh)


1941 to 1997

52° 13' 49'' N     0° 27' 47'' W
5nm N of Bedford, Bedford, Bedfordshire, England
ICAO: EGVW IATA:
Elevation: 293 feet


Immediately after WWII, an aviation research station was constructed and the original site expanded eastwards on to newly acquired land. Research flying restarted around 1954 and RAE Bedford was the location of the Rolling Deck which was used for trials of the P.531 in late Apr 1961 as development work for the eventual Wasp HAS.1 was beginning. Other innovations, such as the Blind Landing Experimental Unit were also based here. Government research flying ceased in 1994 when this activity moved to RAE Boscombe Down.
After operational flying ceased, the airfield has been partitioned into a number of different business areas. The north side has become a vehicle engineering, testing and motorsport circuit with its own helipad at Bedford Autodrome. The western 2/3 of the main runway and adjacent area is now a large Vehicle Holding Centre and store. The eastern 1/3 of the main runway has become Bedford Aerodrome, which primarily serves the Autodrome.



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  List of units at Bedford (Thurleigh)




Years Unit
1991/94DRA
1988/91Royal Aerospace Establishment
1977/91RSRE
1977/88RRFU
1946/88RAE




List of aircraft and events at Bedford (Thurleigh)


DatesOrg/TypeUnit
1961-nov TrialsMinistry of Defence (MoD) HAS7 XK906

1965-feb-03 TrialsRAE HAR.1 XA864

1971-mar Aerodynamics FltRAE HC.2 XR503
1971-jun-15 Westland AH.1 XP191

1973-mar Radar Research FltRAE /19-VL HAS.1 XM926

1978-mar Flight Systems FltRAE HC.2 XR503
1978-mar Flight Systems FltHMG PUMA XW241
1978-mar Radar Research FltRRFU SA330E XW234

1990 StoredHMG PUMA XW241



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