Abandoned RAF Centrifuge and Aviation Medicine Facility on Sale for £750,000

A distinctive property, formerly the Royal Air Force (RAF) Institute of Aviation Medicine, is on the market for £750,000. Located near Farnborough Airport, the expansive 189,013-square-foot (17,560-square-meter) site boasts over 30 rooms and houses the significant Farnborough Centrifuge.

The Farnborough Centrifuge

This imposing piece of military-grade equipment, known as the RAF's former 'spin machine,' was integral in testing the physical limits of human endurance, particularly for fighter pilots. The Farnborough Centrifuge features a 62.5-foot-long (19-meter) steel arm with simulated cockpits at each end. In operation, the 40-ton apparatus could spin at up to 54 revolutions per minute, reaching speeds of 115 miles per hour and generating forces up to 30G. For pilot training, these forces were typically capped at a more survivable 9G, equivalent to 63 miles per hour.

Constructed between 1951 and 1955 at a cost of £350,000, the centrifuge was designed and built by British engineers, making it a unique example of its kind. It is considered one of the oldest human centrifuges globally and has remained largely unchanged. The facility played a critical role in the development of aviation medicine and pilot safety techniques. It was used to replicate the intense conditions faced by pilots in high-speed aircraft, allowing for research into equipment like pressurized suits and breathing apparatus without the risks associated with actual flight.

A History of Aviation Advancement

The centrifuge completed 122,133 runs from its activation in May 1955 until its decommissioning on March 4, 2019. It was instrumental in training numerous pilots and even astronaut Helen Sharman, the first Briton in space, who used it to prepare for the G-forces of spaceflight.

After its decommissioning in 2019, the property was owned by Raintree Developments Ltd. The Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST) operated the site as a museum until 2024. However, FAST's agreement was terminated due to a proposed five-fold increase in rental payments, which the charity could not afford.

Property Sale and Future Prospects

The property is now listed for sale by estate agents Dexters, who describe it as 'a unique opportunity to purchase a piece of British aviation history.' The Grade II* listed building presents potential challenges for redevelopment. Any conversion to residential use would require planning permission and Listed Building Consent, with significant restrictions likely placed on alterations that could affect the heritage value of the centrifuge and its machinery.

A spokesperson for FAST expressed hope that a new owner would collaborate with the trust to preserve the centrifuge, renovate the building, and potentially reopen it to the public to showcase its historical significance and contributions to aviation medicine.