RAF Bovingdon

Military Drawdown and Obsolescence

The former airfield site has been repurposed for multiple uses. A large portion of the technical and domestic site is now occupied by HM Prison The Mount, a Category C prison that opened in 1987. The remaining runways and taxiways are famous for hosting Bovingdon Market, one of the largest and most popular outdoor markets in the UK, held every Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday. The expansive paved surfaces are also heavily used for 'supercar' driving experiences, corporate events, and driver training. The site's legacy as a filming location continues, with its open space and industrial feel being used for modern film and television productions, including scenes for 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Justice League', and the 'Fast & Furious' franchise. While some original wartime buildings, sections of the runway, and perimeter track still exist, the site is a patchwork of modern commercial, institutional, and recreational activity.

RAF Bovingdon was a highly significant airfield, particularly during World War II and the subsequent Cold War. Constructed in 1941-1942, it was almost immediately allocated to the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Eighth Air Force. It became the initial home of the 92nd Bombardment Group, flying B-17 Flying Fortress bombers, and later served as a vital Combat Crew Replacement Center where new crews were trained and processed before being assigned to operational squadrons. The base was notable for hosting General Dwight D. Eisenhower's personal B-17 and for stationing several Hollywood celebrities serving in the USAAF, including Clark Gable and James Stewart. After WWII, the airfield was returned to the RAF but was soon used again by the USAF for transport operations, playing a role in the Berlin Airlift. Throughout the 1950s and 60s, it served as a base for transport, communications, and VIP flights for both the RAF and USAF. In addition to its military role, Bovingdon became a famous filming location due to its proximity to London. Numerous classic films and TV shows were shot there, including 'The War Lover' (1962), '633 Squadron' (1964), 'The Dirty Dozen' (1967), 'Battle of Britain' (1969), and the TV series 'The Avengers'.

There are no known or credible plans or prospects for reopening RAF Bovingdon as an airport. The site's redevelopment with permanent, high-security infrastructure like HM Prison The Mount makes a return to aviation functionally impossible. Furthermore, the established and successful commercial enterprises, including the market and driving experiences, along with fragmented land ownership, present insurmountable economic and logistical barriers. The location is also in close proximity to the busy controlled airspace of major airports like London Luton and London Heathrow, which would create significant air traffic control conflicts. For these reasons, the site's future is firmly on the ground, not in the air.