In 1927, the Experimental Aircraft Flight was a research facility for British military aviation of the Central Flying University was transferred from Upavon, Wiltshire to a site on the heathland at Martlesham, Suffolk and the unit was renamed the Aeroplane Experimental Unit, Royal Flying Corps.
In 1917, the Experimental Aircraft Flight of the Central Flying School was transferred from Upavon, Wiltshire to a site on the heathland at Martlesham, Suffolk, and on 16 January 1917 Martlesham Heath Airfield was officially opened, as an experimental airfield. 
