Hatfield Aerodrome - 1980s and 90s

1980s and 90s

The 146 first flew in 1981 and production of some components, final assembly and flight testing of the first two series of the aircraft was based at Hatfield during the early and mid 1980s. In 1987, a new final assembly hall was built for 146 production to coincide with the introduction of the stretched 146-300 derivative. Further development resulted in the demolition of the original 1930s flying club buildings to make way for the Bishop Square office block development. This was named in honour of Comet designer R.E. Bishop and was constructed in 1991.

In 1992, due to severe financial problems, British Aerospace announced the cessation of aircraft production at Hatfield from 1993. By this point, work on the Manor Road site, which had become part of BAe Dynamics had wound down and this site was cleared first. Friday, 8 April 1994, was Hatfield's last day as an airfield, a DH Chipmunk – the type that had made the first landing on the new runway – was also the last plane to take off from it.

The airfield closed but was later used as a film set for Saving Private Ryan and the television series Band of Brothers.