The former airfield at Upwood in Cambridgeshire had a long and distinguished history. Having its origins go back as far as the First World War, it really gained its fame during the Second World War and post war history; closing as late as 2012 when the military finally pulled out.
During the Second World War it was home to Pathfinder squadrons, who attacked prestige targets. The airfield was home to a range of aircraft; it was also the location for the 1952 film with Dirk Bogarde ‘Appointment in London‘. Post war, it was designed to be a post apocalyptic hospital, able to treat those injured in the event of a nuclear war.
Today the site is gradually being demolished as housing gradually takes over. Many of the original buildings are boarded up and behind screens and threfore inaccessible. The hangars however, are still in use by local industry and so access to part of the site is still available.
In 2020, a mural was painted on one of the buildings to commemorate those who flew from Upwood and the wider RAF in general. It features a Lancaster and three aircrew who each achieved incredible flying feats.
I don’t know what the future holds for the mural, but it’s a fabulous piece of street art and a very worthy one, perhaps it should be preserved.
The mural was painted by Street Arts Hire, and depicts Lancaster GT-Q (ND875) of 156 Squadron, which carried out 108 operations, one of only 35 to ever make it over 100 missions. The three airmen also depicted are:
Left: Flt.Sgt A. Wilson 76 operations
Middle: Flt.Sgt. J. Watson 77 operations and
Right: Flt. Sgt. W. Appleby 80 Operations
A video made by the group is available on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=760437928152790
Aviation Trails 
A fine piece of commemorative art!
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Isn’t it just. I hope it stays there.
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That looks to be one of the best bases that I have seen, and it is a tragedy that it cannot be preserved. Equally, “Appointment in London” is a marvellous film and deserves the effort to see it by everybody who has not yet done so.
How sad that we don’t care for the history of ordinary men and women….just the ones who are for whatever reason, “famous”.
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I must admit John, of all the bases I’ve been too, Upwood certainly does represent one of the better, more complete ones around. I think it’s post war use was perhaps it’s saviour as far as the buildings and hangars go. Unfortunately prime building land is far more desirable than a disused airfield even with its remarkable history.
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Yes, and sadly, the people who waste their lives chasing money always seem to have the power to do what they want.
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Absolutely.
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