The Airbase

1 9 6 5 (UK)
6 x 25 minute episodes

A service sitcom written by the British-based American John Briley, drawn from his own experiences as a serviceman stationed in England. The series followed the would-be high-flying Squadron-Leader Heatherton who, although the commanding officer at RAF Wittlethorpe, more often than not found his time taken up acting as liaison between his US charges and the local community.

David Kelsey was the 'typically British' actor chosen to play Heatherton: he and Briley had previously worked together in a stage revue, Seven Bob A Buck, which was televised as See America First, Or How To Survive As An American Tourist In London (BBC2, 28 November 1964). This explored similar cross-cultural themes to those in The Airbase and also featured Healy and Matthews in the cast.