Next week's Scramble is set to host a celebration marking the centenary of RAF Bicester.
The site as you see it today first began to take shape in 1926, when an injection of Government funding created sites exactly like this one up and down the country. Except no others look quite like this today.
The former RAF Station Bicester was deemed the best-surviving representation of interwar bomber stations by Historic England anywhere in Britain back in 2007, and Scramble guests will be able to step back in time a century on.
Taking centre stage will be a pioneering Bristol Scout bi-plane, honouring the countless airmen who landed on this historic grass airfield – since as far back as 1911, before RAF Bicester
Cars of the period from road and track will surround the Scout, including Britain’s top classified car from the first British Grand Prix – in August, the race celebrates its own centenary. Malcolm Campbell finished second in a Bugatti but the Halford Special managed 82 laps with its creator Frank Halford at the helm, the first of the home team cars.
The Tank Museum’s 1920 Rolls-Royce Pattern is unmissable, an armoured vehicle that served in Ireland, Egypt and Shanghai before returning to join the home defence during the Second World War. It is protected by 8mm thick armour, a .303 Vickers machine gun and a remarkable top speed of 60mph.
Two of Britain’s oldest manufacturers, Bentley and Vauxhall, have laid on cars from their heritage fleets and more have been assembled from around Bicester Motion and beyond – including from Harry Fraser Vehicle Upholstery, Emily Fraser and Richard Rimmer of the nearby T Service.
Visit Hangar 113 for the centenary display, including servings of afternoon tea, the Charlala singing trio and a host of 1920s machinery from land and air.
