It is 30 years since the last aircraft took to the skies from this airfield in north Watford and the story of its transformation into a film studio began.
Once home to the manufacture of Mosquito fighters and Halifax bombers during the Second World War and then the production of Rolls-Royce aircraft engines, Leavesden Aerodrome was home to the Leavesden Flight Centre private flying club until March 1994.
Within months, the site was identified as being suitable to be used for the making of the next James Bond film Goldeneye, leading to the start of journey that would ultimately see it become Warner Bros Studios Leavesden.
- Recalling a Watford street before landmark church was built
- The golf range that is now home to a cinema complex
- A major milestone for a famous Watford firm
The summer before the airfield closed, these aerial images were taken by the Watford Observer which show how big the site was but also provide an insight into how the surrounding area looked 30 years ago.
Our thanks to Watford Museum’s volunteer archivist Christine Orchard for providing these images and caption details.
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