North Weald

North Weald was opened by the Royal Flying Corps in Aug 1916. Around 1919 it closed and no further work was done until its potential as a defence base for London was recognised. After some remediation and improvement works, it re-opened as an RAF Station in 1927.

It served as a fighter base for RAF 11 Group during WWII and after that conflict finished, it was briefly under RAF Transport Command and then with the British Army. It was placed under maintenance in 1958 and finally closed as a military base in Sep 1964.

There was a brief reprise of its wartime fame, when it featured during 1968 in the making of the film Battle of Britain.

Ownership passed to Epping District Council under whose stewardship, the site has gradually grown from a gliding base, to a local commercial centre and motorsport venue, as well as being a centre for the care and restoration of vintage and veteran airframes. During 2019, a new helicopter and fixed wing base for the NPAS is also being constructed, which is likely to mean the closure of the long established site at Lippitts Hill.

Lippitts Hill was closed in 2019 but the extra flight time across London by the helicopters caused operational difficulties in responses and after much lobbying, they moved back to Lippitts Hill in 2021, leaving the NPAS London fixed wing assets at North Weald.