RAF Bovingdon airfield

1950's (© Arthur Pearcy, via Michael Humphrey)

1956 (© Steve Bond)

1999 (© Robert Truman)

2004 (© Robert Truman)

Bovingdon airfield

HM Prison 'The Mount' (restricted entry!) built on technical site and hangar area. Rest of airfield used for agriculture, landfill and runways used for Saturday market

Watch Office with Met Section 518/40 (8936/40), with extended front and extra observation post on roof

Now in very poor and extremely dangerous condition - please bear in mind this tower is on private property and is next to a high security prison - ensure you have the relevant permission to take photographs...

Other Buildings:

Apart from Tower and runways nothing appears to remain

Originally built as an R.A.F. Bomber Station.
8/42 to 1/43, 325th, 326th, 327th and 407th Bombardment Squadrons of the 92nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) 'Fames Favored Few' with B-17 Flying Fortress, moved to Alconbury.
4/43 to 4/46 transferred to USAAF Command, became a B-17 operational training base, B-17 Combat Crew Replacement Centre (CCRC), 11th CCRC, and 8th USAAF HQ Squadron.
Several film stars served here including Clark Gable, James Stewart and William Holden. Among famous wartime visitors were Bob Hope, Frances Langford, Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt, General Eisenhower and Glenn Miller.
04/46 to 05/51 RAF resumed control.
05/51 to 1962, the USAF took over with B-26, B-29 and B-50's.
'The War Lover', '633 Squadron', 'Mosquito Squadron' and 'Hannover Street' were filmed here in the along with several TV episodes of 'The Avengers' and 'Blakes 7'. The USAF left in 1962, flying ceased 1969 and all MOD property was sold off by 1976.

1961 How low was that B-17 in 'The War Lover'?! (© William E. Schneider) More

1972 (© Steve Bond)

1984 (© Mark Church)

RAF & 8th USAAF Bomber Station

Operational, CCRC

Airfield ID Code:

1940's: BV, BZ
1956: ZZ

3x concrete/tarmac

7 miles west of Watford

Bovingdon village www.bovingdon.org

RAF Bovingdon airfield

Bovingdon Links:

RAF & 8th USAAF Bomber Station
Airfield:	Operational, CCRC
Opened:	15/06/1942
Closed:	1972
Airfield ID Code:	1940's: BV, BZ 1956: ZZ
USAAF Station:	112
Runways:	3x concrete/tarmac
Hangars:	2x - T2
County:	Hertfordshire
Location:	7 miles west of Watford
OS Ref:	TL500045
Links:	Bovingdon village www.bovingdon.org
©:	Photographs © copyright as stated

Bovingdon Links:

Home Page	2006	1999-2001	'633 Squadron'	'The War Lover'	Photos

Bovingdon airfield
Airfield Today:	HM Prison 'The Mount' (restricted entry!) built on technical site and hangar area. Rest of airfield used for agriculture, landfill and runways used for Saturday market
Tower Type:	Watch Office with Met Section 518/40 (8936/40), with extended front and extra observation post on roof
Tower:	Now in very poor and extremely dangerous condition - please bear in mind this tower is on private property and is next to a high security prison - ensure you have the relevant permission to take photographs...
Other Buildings:	Apart from Tower and runways nothing appears to remain
History:	Originally built as an R.A.F. Bomber Station. 8/42 to 1/43, 325th, 326th, 327th and 407th Bombardment Squadrons of the 92nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) 'Fames Favored Few' with B-17 Flying Fortress, moved to Alconbury. 4/43 to 4/46 transferred to USAAF Command, became a B-17 operational training base, B-17 Combat Crew Replacement Centre (CCRC), 11th CCRC, and 8th USAAF HQ Squadron. Several film stars served here including Clark Gable, James Stewart and William Holden. Among famous wartime visitors were Bob Hope, Frances Langford, Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt, General Eisenhower and Glenn Miller. 04/46 to 05/51 RAF resumed control. 05/51 to 1962, the USAF took over with B-26, B-29 and B-50's. 'The War Lover', '633 Squadron', 'Mosquito Squadron' and 'Hannover Street' were filmed here in the along with several TV episodes of 'The Avengers' and 'Blakes 7'. The USAF left in 1962, flying ceased 1969 and all MOD property was sold off by 1976.


1972 (© Steve Bond)	1984 (© Mark Church)

	1999 More