Dunsfold Aerodrome today is an unlicensed airfield in the South of England, near the village of Cranleigh in Surrey. Like many airfields in the UK, it was built by the military during the Second World War and then used for civilian operations after. In recent years, it has become well-known as the primary location for BBC’s Top Gear filming and testing, and as the home of three Boeing 747s used as film sets.
Military origins of Dunsfold
An airfield at Dunsfold was constructed in the early 1940s by the Canadian army. It served during the Second World War as a bomber aircraft base, under the control of the Canadian Air Force until 1944 and then the UK Royal Air Force (as RAF Dunsfold) until 1946. It served as a base for many different types of military fighter and bomber aircraft – including the US P-51 Mustang, B-25 Mitchell bombers, and the Spitfire.
After the war, the airfield switched to civilian use. It was used by the charter operator Skyways Limited. This was one of several post-war airlines that started up to operate mainly government and troop services, then later moved to passenger charter operations. From Dunsfold, Skyways operated several aircraft types, including the Avro York, Avro Lancastrian, Douglas C-54 Skymaster, and the de Havilland Dove. Operations from this location included roles in the Berlin Airlift.
50 years with Hawker and British Aerospace
The Hawker Aircraft Company, the British aircraft manufacturer, took over the site in 1950, using the airfield for aircraft development and maintenance. Several aircraft, including the Hawker Hunter jet in the 1950s, the Harrier, and the Hawk, were all tested here. Hawker Siddeley became part of British Aerospace in 1977, which later became BAE Systems. It kept some aircraft development and assembly at the site until 2000.
Purchase and conversion to Dunsfold Park
The Rutland Group bought the Dunsfold Airfield in 2002 and formed Dunsfold Park Limited. Dunsfold Park has seen many different uses – both aviation and non-aviation related. This has included cycling races, use as a drive-in cinema, music concerts, television, and filming activities – as well as long-term use as a driving test track and to host an annual airshow. There is also a large business park home to many local businesses.
Some aviation activity has continued at Dunsfold, but its use as an airfield has been controversial. Permission was given in 1950 to allow use for flight testing and maintenance. This has been contested since BAE Systems left the site when Dunsfold Park Limited attempted to license the site again for unrestricted flying. This was rejected by the High Court, and flying use remains restricted.
Dunsfold Park main uses since 2002
The main uses over the past years include:
Top Gear test track: Dunsfold is well known for its use by the BBC motoring series Top Gear. Since 2002, Dunsfold has been used as the primary filming and test track location for the show. The runway and taxiways are used as a track, and a large hangar was converted for use as a studio. If you look carefully at many of the shots, you can see the airfield infrastructure and an ex-British Airways Boeing 747-200 in the background.
Filming location with the Boeing 747: Dunsfold is home to three Boeing 747 aircraft, used mainly for movies and television filming. The first of these is G-BDXJ, an ex-British Airways Boeing 747-200. It has been at the airfield since 2005, owned by Aces High Limited, and used in several movies (including the James Bond film Casino Royale), adverts, and music videos. The photograph below shows the aircraft adapted and re-registered for use in James Bond filming.
It was joined by G-CIVW in 2020 after British Airways decided to scrap its entire Boeing 747 fleet during the pandemic. This is a Boeing 747-400 aircraft, painted in the Chatham Dockyard livery. A third Boeing 747 moved to Dunsfold in December 2020. This is also an ex-British Airways aircraft, with registration G-BNLY and painted in the historic Landor livery. All three are used for filming.
Wings and Wheels Airshow: From 2005 to 2019, a popular local joint airshow and motor show was held each summer at Dunsfold Park., known as “Wings and Wheels.” There was usually a range of aircraft on display, including many from Hawker and British Aerospace heritage and past US military aircraft. This has not resumed post-COVID.
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The future of Dunsfold
What happens with and at Dunsfold over the coming years is unsure. In 2006, a housing development of up to 2,600 houses was proposed for the site as part of a new Masterplan development. This would see the removal of the runways and hangars and eventually end its use as an aerodrome and test track.
Planning permission was granted in 2018 for 1,800 houses. According to Dunsford Park Limited, design work is progressing, and further consultation is being held. Work has begun on a new access road to the site. The company has said that, at least initially, activities on the test track and filming with the Boeing 747s can continue. This will eventually change in later development as the runway and taxiways are re-developed.
Have you visited Dunsfold – either in the past as an active aerodrome or as part of its recent roles? We would love to hear about your experiences. Let us know in the comments section.
Sources: Dunsfold Park Limited
