North Weald Airfield, Epping
The D-Day airfield take-off scenes that punctuate Band of Brothers’ first episode which capture the beginning of Easy Company’s journey into Normandy were filmed at North Weald Airfield. Fittingly, North Weald was an actual tactical location used by British planes in World War 2. However, the planes seen taking off from the airfield at the episode’s end are CGI.
North Weald Airfield in the Epping Forest District of Essex dates back to 1916. It was first established during World War I, serving as a night landing ground for defense against Zeppelin airship raids. It became a part of the Royal Air Force in 1918, but operations ceased in 1964. Today, North Weald is an operational general aviation aerodrome hosting private aircraft, historic planes, and a museum that delves into its fascinating past. Other attractions nearby include Weald Country Park – with over 500 acres of stunning woodland, lakes, meadows and grassland – and Epping Ongar Railway.
HBO, 2001
