Throughout its existence, RAF Filton shared the airfield with the Bristol Aeroplane Company (later British Aircraft Corporation) whose works, now owned by BAE/Airbus, are situated on the south side of the main runway.

The unit's allocation was increased to 24 Balloons during August 1940 as RAF Filton did not have a defensive fighter squadron attached to defend the airfield.

236 Squadron was based at Filton with Bristol Blenheim twin-engined fighters,[12] flying defensive sweeps over the Channel.

528 Squadron RAF was formed at Filton in June 1943, flying the Bristol Blenheim and de Havilland Hornet Moth[14] in the radar calibration role.

The following units were also here at some point:[16] The airfield was attacked on 25 September 1940 just before mid-day by 58 Heinkel He 111 bombers with Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter escort.

The Luftwaffe raid was primarily aimed at the Bristol Aeroplane Company's works on the south side of the airfield.

Luftwaffe reconnaissance planes had determined that there were no fighter aircraft stationed at Filton prior to the attack but No.

504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron RAF (Auxiliary Air Force) was moved in from 26 September 1940, flying Hawker Hurricane Mk1 fighters, as a result of this raid.

501 Squadron continued at Filton until it was disbanded in March 1957, when the remaining Royal Auxiliary Air Force flying units were stood down.

This school was operated under special contract to the Air Ministry by the Bristol Aeroplane Company as part of the Volunteer Reserve Pilot training scheme.

During the Cuban Missile Crisis (October 1962) Avro Vulcan V bombers were at Filton and kept at 'immediate readiness' status with engines idling.

The airfield is now closed and the last aircraft to operate from the site were the NPAS (Western Counties Air Operations Unit) Police helicopter & the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, who both moved to a nearby, purpose-built site at Almondsbury in October 2018.