Birkdale Palace Hotel
BIRKDALE PALACE HOTEL: Civil aerodrome and temporary airport
(also known as BIRKDALE and SOUTHPORT)
Operated by: Avro Transport Co
Pleasure flights: Avro Transport Co
Location: About one mile S of Southport pier
Period of operation: 1919 only? From the 20th May until - ?
NOTES: In 1919 A. V. Roe apparently formed the Avro Transport Co here to act as the main base (?) for their widespread pleasure flying operations using Avro 504, 534 and 536 types according to some sources. I think it seems far more likely the Avro main base was actually ALEXANDRA PARK.
It could be of course that perhaps just the pleasure flying operations were organised from here, which was a big national Avro operation after WW1.
Used by the Avro Transport Co, (also referred to as the Avro Aviation Co), as a staging post to BLACKPOOL (SQUIRES GATE), on the first British scheduled domestic air service which commenced at ALEXANDRA PARK in CHESHIRE on 26th May 1919.
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
We have Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', to thank for investigating the history of this location, which it appears, only operated during the summer season of 1919. All subsequent flying activity taking place just a mile or so further north from SOUTHPORT SANDS.
Note: The article was published in the Daily Mirror on the 17th May 1919.
Note: The article above was published in the Lancashire Evening Post on the 7th June 1919. Also published on the 7th June was this advert in the Birkenhead News.
Note: This article was published in the Liverpool Echo on the 27th June 1919. It seems these plans never came to fruition.
Note: The Google Street View scene is of the Fisherman's Rest. Apparently once the coach house of The Palace Hotel and the only surviving remnant of that huge hotel. The photo and article above were published in The Aeroplane on the 30th July 1919.
NOTES: After WW1 ended, the major manufacturers, not just in aircraft production either, were faced with a huge problem. Having spent so much effort over four years to provide the means to win the war, most contracts were very quickly cancelled. With it seems, very little in the way of recompense. Avro, along with a couple of others, saw one way to survive being to offer joy-riding to the public. They had more than enough surplus machines and many pilots too, keen to keep flying.
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