Banbury flying sites
Note: This map only gives the position of Banbury town within the UK.
BANBURY: Temporary aerodrome (see seperate listing for BODICOTE GROUNDS FARM)
NOTES: Used by the Berkshire Aviation Co from the 7th to 23rd September 1920
BANBURY: Temporary aerodrome? (Also listed as WARWICK ROAD)
Notes:
Venue on the 26th April 1932 for Sir Alan Cobham's Tour.
Venue on the 9th May 1933 for Sir Alan Cobham’s Tour.
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
NOTES: Mike Holder is a great friend of this 'Guide' and his maps and pictures are a great addition.
In Cobham's 1932 Tour, for example, twenty aircraft were usually used at each venue. These included seven aircraft registered to Cobham's company - National Aviation Day Ltd. These were: The two Airspeed AS.4 Ferry 'airliners' G-ABSI and G-ABSJ, the Cierva C.19/IVP autogyro G-ABGB, the de Havilland DH9 G-AACR, de Havilland DH60G Moth G-ABUB, the de Havilland DH82 Tiger Moth G-ABUL and the Handley Page Clive airliner G-ABYX. The other aircraft being hired in from a variety of owners/operators.
BANBURY: Military airstrip
Military user: US Army Air Force
Location: ?
Period of operation: 1943/5 only?
BANBURY: Civil Landing Ground
Note: This picture was obtained from Google Earth ©
Operated by: Mr J L Walker
Location: W of A41, 3nm NW of Banbury, S of ‘C’ road junction to Horley
Period of operation: 1930s only?
Runway: Max. landing run: 311 grass
NOTES: Source ‘AA Landing Grounds’ publication, 1930s. Much later I discovered from the Airfield Research Group ‘Airfield Information Exchange’ on the web that the address for this site was “Golden Villa, Banbury” and the nearest hotel was “Whately Hall”. So, if you can be bothered to investigate, (and please do and let me know), this should pinpoint the site.
In June 2020 Mr Colin Taylor kindly contacted me to add that fuel and transport was available from County Garages, and the telephone was a nearby AA box. He also gave me his idea of where the Landing Ground was situated. See picture.
BANBURY HELIPADS & HELICOPTER LANDING AREAS
We have Mr Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide' to thank for this advice.
PRODRIVE
Note: All three of these pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Location: 1.25nm NE of Banbury town centre, just W of the M40 and about 0.5nm NW of junction 11.
NOTES: Graham tells us that Prodrive have, over the years, used up to three helipads in this area. The latest helipad (third picture) is on the SW side of Prodrive's very new factory at the end of Chalker Way and just W of the M40.
This picture was also obtained from Google Earth ©
NOTES: Graham also tells us that back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Whateley Hall Hotel had a helicopter landing area, which he says has now been built upon. I now wonder if that might be correct? Looking at pictures on Google Earth perhaps the square area just W of the now Mercure hotel might have been used?
As always in this 'Guide' if anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be much appreciated.
BANBURY see also BRITANNIA WORKS RECREATION GROUND
BANBURY see also CHURCH FARM (SHOTTESWELL)
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