RAF Henlow.

[Andy in Beds]

Hi all
Today I went for a walk around RAF Henlow in Bedfordshire.
The Air Cadets were there operating some modern thing that looks like a cross between a glider and something powered. (I seriously don’t know what they are).
However I was lucky enough to see a Tiger Moth and a Chipmunk take off too.
I did take some pictures but as those that know me will tell you I’m still in the steam-powered era of photography so you’ll have to wait to see them.
The walk and the pictures prompted me to think about the history of the airfield and it’s uses.
So does anyone know if a history of RAF Henlow has been published?
It really is a beautiful grass airfield and long may it remain so.
I do know that 23 Sqn. were there for a time in the 1920’s with Snipes and then Gamecocks and there was a parachute school based there using converted Vickers Vimy bombers.
Also thanks to Robbo I know that the airfield was used during the making of ‘Those Magnificent Men’ as was the railway line that used to run through nearby Shefford for the Terry Thomas on the train scene in the film.
All the best
Andy :) :)

[merlin70]

The Air Cadets fly motor gliders. Vigilant T Mk 1, or Grob 109's in civvie speak. Curious that the RAF bought a/c from Germany called the 109, must have short memories.

[DaveB]

Living in Henlow village I see plenty of these glider thingies. They look great fun on a windy day as they drift sideways over my house!! :D

[Paul Rix]

I used to fly the Vigilant at Henlow. I was a member of 616 VGS for about a year (1997-98). It was fun to fly.

[Arm Waver]

I flew from Henlow in Ventures... The Tower in the middle of the field is historic in it's own right having been built from Hurricane packing cases.

[SteveYoung]

Ah, the Ventures. Fun bits of kit they were. I had a go on them out of Henlow in about 1987. Didn't know the story about the tower though, that's a corker!

We used to hold our Wing Field Days over at the old T2 hangar which housed part of the RAF Museum's reserve collection. I remember a Comet fuselage being quite prominent in there, named 'Saggitarius', I think. Can't remember what other aircraft were in there, but although I didn't know it at the time, the Skysport Beaufighter was in there at the time as well, just prior to being acquired by Tim Moore.

[DaveB]

Andy,

Where did you walk exactly? I haven't attempted to wander round the perimeter but if theres anything to see I might give it a go sometime...

[Andy in Beds]

Dave
I walked all the way round the airfield by road.
I did walk up to the perimeter on the Clifton side of the airfield, there's a track across the field from the A507 there near the pub.
But for the rest I stayed on the road and walked round anti-clockwise.It's about 4.5 miles I would say. My parents live at Clifton so I left my car at their place. There's a Hawker Hunter on the main gate and about a half mile further on is a fire gate right at the end of the runway and that's where I stood and photographed the aerial activity.
A nice walk if you like that sort of thing.
All the best
Andy :) :) :)

[Andy in Beds]

Hi Mike
reviving this thread from last week.
Yes, you're right it is LF858.
I got these back today and thought I'd post them here.
The S/no isn't visible on these two shots but is on a third one I have.
Thanks for the original info.
All the best
Andy

[DaveB]

I am thinking of doing a little local photography project on the disused railway from Hitchin to Bedford. There are a number of main sites, such as the stations at Southill and Cardington, Old Warden tunnel and a number of humpback bridges.

Getting vaguely back on topic, was there a railway station at RAF Henlow? Looking at the OS map it looks like it would be within the base itself. Does anyone know if anything is still there, ie. station building, platforms etc.