North Weald Airfield facts for kids

Quick facts for kids North Weald Airfield
The control tower at North Weald
IATA: none ICAO: EGSX
Summary
Airport type	Public/unlicensed
Owner	Epping Forest District Council
Operator	Epping Forest District Council
Location	North Weald
Elevation AMSL	321 ft / 98 m
Coordinates	51°43′18″N 000°09′15″E / 51.72167°N 0.15417°E / 51.72167; 0.15417
Website	North Weald Airfield
Map
EGSX Location in Essex
Runway
Runway Length Surface ft m 02/20 Main 6,171 1,881 Asphalt/concrete 02/20 Grass 963 294 Grass
Sources: Epping Forest District Council

North Weald Airfield (ICAO: EGSX) is an active airport in Essex, England. It's a place where many different kinds of aircraft fly. During the Battle of Britain, it was a very important fighter base for the Royal Air Force, known as RAF North Weald.

Today, it's home to the North Weald Airfield Museum. Many private planes and old historic aircraft use the airfield. The Essex & Herts Air Ambulance helicopter is also based here. It's a busy place for learning how to fly.

Airfield History

A Spitfire Mk VI at North Weald in 1942.

North Weald Airfield started way back in 1916 during the First World War. It was first used by the Royal Flying Corps. Then, in 1918, it became part of the Royal Air Force (RAF).

The airfield grew a lot between the two World Wars. New hangars and living areas were built for RAF staff. North Weald played a huge role in defending the UK during the Second World War.

At first, Hawker Hurricane and Bristol Blenheim planes were based here. The Hurricanes from North Weald helped protect soldiers at Dunkirk. They were also key in the Battle of Britain. In 1940, American Eagle Squadrons flew Supermarine Spitfires from North Weald. Later, Norwegian squadrons also came to the airfield.

After the war, fast jet fighters like Gloster Meteors and de Havilland Vampires were common sights. From the late 1940s to the mid-1960s, a gliding school also operated here on weekends.

The main control tower was built in 1952. It was part of an effort to modernize airfields during the early Cold War. This tower is now a special historic building. It is one of only seven of its kind still standing.

The last combat planes, Hawker Hunters from No. 111 Squadron RAF, left North Weald in 1958. The RAF completely left the airfield in 1964. The first Royal International Air Tattoo, a famous airshow, was held here in 1971.

The airfield was briefly used by the British Army and Royal Navy. In 1979, the Ministry of Defence sold North Weald. It was bought by Epping Forest District Council.

Today, you can still see an original hangar from 1927. The old Officers Mess building is also a historic site. A replica of a Hawker Hurricane Mk1 plane is near the main gate.

Civilian Flights and Aircraft

Aircraft on display at North Weald Airfield.

North Weald is a busy general aviation airfield. This means it's used by private planes and for flight training, not big passenger jets. Over 40,000 flights happen here each year. People fly from here to places across England and other countries.

The airfield is home to many cool old planes. These include the Supermarine Spitfire, North American P-51 Mustang, and Douglas Dakota. Many of these planes are kept in flying condition. You can even take experience flights in some of them!

Some companies based here include Hangar 11 Collection and Aero Legends. The airfield also hosts early military jets like the Hawker Hunter and De Havilland Vampire.

If you want to learn to fly, you can do that here. Companies like Academy Aviation offer pilot training. They also rent out planes like the Cessna 172 and Piper PA28.

In 2005, the airfield was given listed status. This protects it as an important historical site.

Other Uses at the Airfield

The airfield isn't just for planes! Parts of it are used for other fun things. These include community events and supercar driving experiences. It's also a popular spot for filming movies and TV shows. Businesses and training centers also use the space.

A huge Saturday market takes place at the airfield. It brings in many visitors from Essex and London. It's said to be one of the biggest outdoor markets in the UK. Buses even run special services to the market.

In 2007, the airfield was used as a camp for the 21st World Scout Jamboree. In the 1990s, a TV game show called The Crystal Maze was filmed in one of the hangars. A Lego City Stuntz commercial was also filmed here.

Since 2021, an inland border facility has been set up at the airfield. This helps with trade after Brexit. There's also a small café called Wings Café where you can grab food and drinks.

Aircraft Maintenance

Several companies at North Weald help keep aircraft flying safely. They offer maintenance, repairs, and refueling services. They also help with parking planes and organizing events.

North Weald Flying Services, also known as The Squadron, has been around since 1989. They are licensed to maintain general aviation aircraft. Aero Legends bought them in 2019.

Weald Aviation is another company that maintains aircraft. They specialize in older military planes, often called "warbirds."

North Weald Airfield Museum

The North Weald Airfield Museum tells the story of the people who worked at RAF North Weald. This includes both military personnel and civilians during World War I and World War II.

The museum has photos, personal stories, and items from the airfield's past. You can learn about its role in the Battle of Britain. It also covers the American and Norwegian squadrons that were based there. The museum is located just outside the airfield's current boundary. Visitors can see military vehicles and historic aircraft.

North Weald Fire Rescue

North Weald Fire Rescue is a private fire and rescue service. Their vehicles are based at the airfield. They respond to events across the country. Their teams have been helping at airfield events since 1987.

RAF North Weald Memorial

The RAF North Weald Memorial with the Norwegian Memorial in the middle.

The RAF North Weald Memorial honors everyone who served at North Weald. It is located near the airfield's main gate. It was officially opened in 2000.

The memorial includes a tall stone pillar, called an obelisk. The people of Norway put it there in 1952. It remembers the Norwegian airmen who were based at the airfield during World War II.

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance

The Essex & Herts Air Ambulance started its service in Hertfordshire in 2008. It was first based at Hangar 7 on the airfield. In 2021, it moved to a new, specially built base.

From 2008 to 2017, the service used an MD902 Explorer helicopter. In August 2017, they upgraded to a newer, more advanced AgustaWestland AW169 helicopter. This £5 million helicopter is fully owned by the charity. Two rapid response vehicles are also based here. Another air ambulance operates from Earls Colne Airfield.

National Police Air Service

In 2017, Epping Forest District Council agreed to let the National Police Air Service use North Weald Airfield. They operate three helicopters and one fixed-wing aircraft from here. This base serves as the main hub for police aircraft in the London area and nearby counties. It replaced their old base at Lippitts Hill. Work on the new facility started in late 2018. Flying operations began in the autumn of 2019.

Accidents and Incidents

In 2000, three people died in a mid-air collision near the airfield. An investigation found that the pilots of both aircraft did not see each other in time to avoid the crash.

On May 9, 2010, a small plane crashed into a car at the airfield. The plane caught fire. Luckily, the two people in the car were not hurt. They were able to pull the pilot out of the plane. The pilot had tried to land but then decided to fly around again because of strong winds. The plane then lost control. The investigation suggested the pilot tried to avoid hitting trees and parked aircraft. The exact cause was hard to find due to the damage from the crash and fire.