AAC Middle Wallop
| |
1940 to present | | Location: | 51 9 N - 1 34 W | | 5nm SW of Andover, Hampshire | | ICAO: EGVP | IATA: | Elevation: 297 feet |
|
| History of this Base/Heliport: | | |
Opened as an RAF fighter station as part of the pre-war expansion programme with grass runways. The USAAF took it over in Aug 1943 as a fighter / reconnaisance base until Jul 1944, when it was handed back to the RAF. Then in Mar 1945 it became RNAS Middle Wallop, as HMS Flycatcher. It was returned to the RAF in 1946, reverting to a fighter station.
After the Army Air Corps was formed in 1957, it became clear a Headquarters was required for the new organisation. Middle Wallop passed to the Army in 1958, and whilst the buildings have been improved and the site enlarged, the runways remain grass. It must be one of the largest operational grass airfields in Europe. The Museum of Army Flying is also on part of the base and well worth a visit.  |