Farnborough Airfield and Airshow

Introduction and brief history of Farnborough Airfield and Airshow.

Many 'firsts' have been pioneered at Farnborough - from the first powered flight in Britain in 1908 to Thrust SSC, the first car to go supersonic on land in 1997. 

An Introduction to the Airfield

The site has been associated with aircraft and airships since 1908 when the Balloon Equipment Store was moved from Greenwich and renamed the HM Balloon Factory. From 1911-18 it was called the Royal Aircraft Factory but changed its name to Royal Aircraft Establishment to avoid confusion with the new Royal Air Force, which shared the same initials.

Farnborough has always played a leading role in the design and research into new military aircraft, and played a major role in both world wars. A list of the scientists and engineers who have worked there reads like a Who's Who of British aeronautical science and many advances in aerospace technology in the last seventy years have resulted from work begun here.

In the early 1990's, the RAE became the Aerospace Division of the newly created Defence Research Agency (DRA) and then the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (Now separated into two organisations - Qinetiq and DSTL). The site has been a host to a number of other Ministry of Defence units, other government departments (such as the Air Accident Investigation Branch and the British National Space Centre) and some private companies that provide support services. There is also a civil enclave operated by British Aerospace.

TAG now operates Farnborough Airport, a link to their website can be found at the side of the page.  More information about Farnborough Airport can be found on the Farnborough Airport page, please see the link at the side of the page.

Farnborough Air Sciences Trust is a registered charity formed in November 1993 to save Farnborough's historic Main Site. This site, which has become surplus to Ministry of Defence requirements, includes the 8ft x 6ft transonic and 24ft low speed tunnels.   FAST plans to turn the site into an Aerospace museum, dedicated to the future of aerospace research which will be constantly updated with the latest in aerospace technology.  More information on the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum can be found by following the link, at the side of the page.

RAE Ex-Apprentices Association is an Association that has been formed to provide a forum for ex-apprentices from Farnborough to meet and exchange views and experiences from their past apprenticeship years at Farnborough. The Association maintains an informal contact with all ex-apprentices in any social events and reunion functions that are held in the Farnborough / Aldershot area. It also provides an annual news magazine 'The Chronic' to keep members informed of current news of the airfield and FAST.  Please see the link to their website at the side of the page.

An Introduction to the Airshow

Farnborough Airfield has been home to the Farnborough Airshow since 1948, when it opened its gates to the public for the first time.  In 1962 the show changed from an annual event to the new biennial international air display and exhibition.  Hundreds of company’s exhibit at the show, and thousands of people visit the show each year the air show is on.  For more information please see the Farnborough Airshow page and the Farnborough International Airshow website, links can be found at the side of the page.