 heavy night-bombing force.
Later in 1939 the first Handley Page Halifax was assembled at Bicester , (see image above right) and the type made its maiden flight at the field on October 25 that year, flying to Boscombe Down. This was the first four-engined bomber to make raids on Germany, on 10 March 1941. A major training and maintenance site for the duration of WW2, RAF Bicester has been home to many different squadrons and served several purposes.
More recent history though, recalls occupation by the University Air Squadron, the RAF Gliding and Soaring Association and the Windrushers Gliding Club from 1956.
Bicester airfield is located on the north east edge of Bicester - a prosperous and expanding Oxfordshire commuter town. It is a remarkable grass-surfaced airfield - one of the largest remaining in Europe, which bears testament to the military history of the twentieth century with well preserved 1920s and 1930s hangars, a unique 'Fort' type control tower and a pre-World War Two bomb store - all English Heritage listed buildings. It is generally regarded as one of the the finest examples of a pre-WW2 RAF station, still almost completely in existance.
As the largest open space in Bicester, it is home to a variety of wildlife and bird species including Skylarks, Buzzards and, first spotted in September 2006, Red Kites (once extinct in England). Pilots soaring over the airfield frequently has the pleasure of soaring with the Red Kites and Buzzards. The Red Kites are particularly spectacular, and soar over the airfield throughout the summer in increasing numbers. The airfield was also designated a conservation area by Cherwell District Council in 2002.
Gliding in Bicester began over 50 years ago in 1956 when the Windrushers Gliding Club moved from Little Rissington. They were joined in 1963 by the RAF Gliding and Soaring Association, which subsequently merged with the Windrushers Gliding Club and became the operational centre of recreational gliding in the RAF. The RAFGSA Centre provided recreational flying to personnel of HM Forces and their dependants, and they also ran 'Gliding Adventurous Training Courses' for servicemen. In the mid 70s, Oxford University Gliding Club moved to RAF Bicester as well.
In 1961 the British Pathe news agency made a film about gliding at Bicester entitled 'Gliders do a Farnborough', copies of which have been republished and made generally available online along with many other old film clips.
In an attempt to reduce costs, the MOD decided to move the RAFGSA Centre to RAF Halton and in June 2004 the move finally took place. It was decided to continue the long tradition of gliding at Bicester, the Windrushers Gliding Club was reformed by several RAFGSA and civilian members before the final departure of the RAF, and the club was officially re-opened on July 1st 2004 at Bicester Airfield. Oxford University Gliding Club continues to be co-located at Bicester.