History of RAFWest Drayton ( and Uxbridge & Hillingdon)

[saaby93]

Reading the Heathrow expansion thread and possibility of using Northholt with a 'sterile' transfer to avoid double checkins, it reminded me of the RAF bases inbetween - RAF West Drayton and RAF Uxbridge
RAF Hillingdon seemed to be the back gate to RAF Uxbridge maybe to make the enemy think we had more bases than we knew what to do with. They also had a cunning method of avoiding the runway being bombed - they didnt have one!
Here's some history of West Drayton - expecially interesting is the bespoke kit. Who would have constructed it?
https://atchistory.wordpress.com/2017/10/08/rafv-w...
EMI is just along the way in Hayes known for its record producing -maybe not so much for its military side.
Anyone here involved in some small way?

[RikJonAtk]

Uxbridge didnt (doesn’t) have a runway because it was a command post. When I was there last (~2003) they still had the underground bunkers done out as WW2 aircraft / battle control rooms... we were given the tour down there - it was very interesting to see how it all used to work.

[baldy1926]

RikJonAtk said:

Uxbridge didnt (doesn’t) have a runway because it was a command post. When I was there last (~2003) they still had the underground bunkers done out as WW2 aircraft / battle control rooms... we were given the tour down there - it was very interesting to see how it all used to work.

Its open for visitors now with a posh new visitor centre as well

[E31Shrew]

I spent a few happy years here from 1978 to 1980 in the Low Flying section. Looking back always amazed how basic the whole department was. The ubiquitous china graph ruled!

[megaphone]

baldy1926 said:

RikJonAtk said:

Uxbridge didnt (doesn’t) have a runway because it was a command post. When I was there last (~2003) they still had the underground bunkers done out as WW2 aircraft / battle control rooms... we were given the tour down there - it was very interesting to see how it all used to work.

Its open for visitors now with a posh new visitor centre as well

I went to visit the bunker about 20 years ago, really interesting and worth a trip. As you say the local authority (London Borough Of Hillingdon) have now opened a new visitor centre and museum, again well worth a trip.


https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/article/31370/New-vi...

https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/article/31369/Visiti...

Edited by megaphone on Monday 2nd July 09:11

[grumpy52]

Those that knew Uxbridge will be saddened to hear that the RAFA Club is /has closed .
Most that have spent any time at RAF Uxbridge will have enjoyed a drink or 10 in the club . I lived on the camp for several years as my father in RAF music service for 32 years and was stationed there several times in his service life .