RAF Mousehold Heath

RAF Mousehold Heath
Mousehold Aerodrome
Near Norwich, Norfolk in England
Beardmore Inflexible aircraft at the Norwich Air Display, Mousehold Aerodrome, May 1929
Site information
TypeRoyal Air Force station
OwnerAir Ministry
OperatorRoyal Air Force
Location
RAF Mousehold Heath
Shown within Norfolk
Coordinates52°38′36″N 001°20′02″E / 52.64333°N 1.33389°E / 52.64333; 1.33389
Site history
Built1916 (1916)
In use1916-1933 (1933)
Airfield information
Elevation39 metres (128 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
00/00  Grass

RAF Mousehold Heath was a Royal Air Force station on Mousehold Heath near Norwich. The area between the Salhouse and Plumstead roads (outside of the outer ring road) was originally the Cavalry Training Ground. It became the Royal Flying Corps Mousehold Heath aerodrome during the First World War and was the location where Boulton & Paul, among other local manufacturers, passed over the aircraft they had built into the hands of the RFC. It was sometimes also known as Norwich aerodrome by the RFC On the formation of the RAF in April 1918, it became "Royal Air Force Mousehold Heath".

After the war, Boulton and Paul continued to use the site. The Norwich & Norfolk Aero Club was formed at the airfield in 1927 which then became the first Norwich Airport in 1933. The airfield fell into disuse during the Second World War and has now mostly been redeveloped for housing.