Admaston Road
ADMASTON ROAD: Temporary aerodrome
Operated by: Berkshire Aviation Company
Location: Just WNW to NW of Wellington town centre
Period of operation: 24th to 30th December 1921
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
We have Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', to thank for discovering this little known venue and providing the maps and pictures.
A BONUS ITEM
This article, published in The Aeroplane on the 18th January, clearly shows that the Berkshire Aviation Company had kept operating throughout the festive season, despite the often inclement weather. The aircraft they were using, G-EAKX (ex H2600), had a typically rather chequered career. It was first registered in December 1920 flying with Air Taxis (Fleet No.4), and then registered to F J V Holmes, (Berkshire Aviation Co) in April 1923, so presumably it was being rented/loaned/leased when being operated on this tour?
NOTES: The 'Golden Age' of joy-riding operations in the UK commenced after WW1. It arose from many aircrew and groundcrew determined to pursue a civilian career in aviation, plus a huge amount of surplus aircraft available for disposal at 'knock down' prices. This said, the majority were simply destroyed, mostly by setting them on fire in huge heaps around the country.
In those early days the majority of joy-riding operations, led by the Avro company, focused on the summer season, mostly at seaside resorts, which of course was not a sustainable business plan. The Berkshire Aviation Company decided on a much better idea. To keep flying all year round.....and it worked. They survived right up until the late 1930s one way or another.
Usually they provided just one or two aircraft at each venue, staying long enough to satisfy customer demand. We do not know about this venue, and, if they kept operating on Xmas Day? Seems likely? Their aircraft of choice was mostly the Avro 504K, which Avro had modified to carry two passengers in the front cockpit, and they operated twenty four examples - G-EACL to G-ABLL.
If anybody can kindly offer advice and information, this will be much appreciated.
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
