A military airfield, opened in 1943. During World War Two the base was used by units of the 8th and 9th United States Army Air Force. These included the 10th and 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Groups, Troop Carrier Pathfinder Group and additionally Airborne Pathfinder Paratroops of the US Army. The airfield was equipped with three concrete and tarmac runways and two aircraft hangars (type T2), of which only one is extant (please see SU 69 NW 66. For details of other wartime buildings see SU 69 NW 67). Wartime construction methods typically involved the use of "temporary materials" for many building types. After the war the military left the airfield, and in 1946 the Air Ministry allocated the airfield to Martin Baker Limited. This company used the airfield to research and test aircraft ejection seats. Martin Baker Limited remains at the airfield to date (2004). In 1993 a war memorial was dedicated at the airfield. A German aircraft is reported to be buried on the airfield.