RAF Cranwell

When the RAF formed in 1918, the establishment became RAF Cranwell. On 1 November 1919 the RAF (Cadet) College opened here, the world's first air academy. Cadets trained in old naval huts until College Hall was built. It was finished in 1933 and opened by the Prince of Wales in October 1934. Frank Whittle trained at Cranwell as a young officer. On 15 May 1941 Gerry Sayer made the first flight of the Gloster E.28/39, Britain's first jet, from Cranwell's long runway. The flight lasted 17 minutes.

Cranwell remains the RAF's officer training college. It also houses the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre, Central Flying School headquarters since 1995, and No. 3 Flying Training School. Whittle Hall opened in 1962, and Whittle's ashes are interred at Cranwell. The Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum lies just south of the station.