Castle Combe flying sites
CASTLE COMBE see MANOR HOUSE HOTEL
CASTLE COMBE: Military aerodrome later civil helicopter landing area
Military user: RAF Flying Training Command 23 Group
3 FSI [Flying Instructors School]
9 SFTS (Service Flying Training School) Based at HULLAVINGTON (WILTSHIRE)
15 (P) AFU [(Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit]
Note: To date I can find no info regarding the types of aircraft used. Can anybody help here?
Civil operator: Post WW2: Castle Coombe Circuit Ltd
Location: 5nm NW of Chippenham
Period of operation: Military: 1941 to 1948 Civil: ? Certainly 1990s & 2000s
Runways: Grass initially it seems, with steel matting added later
13/31 850 grass NE/SW 992 grass
Note: If it seems odd that I classify steel matting as grass runways, the point of these was that grass would quickly grow through the holes provided, and in effect become grass runways albiet with a firm sub-structure when wet weather prevailed. Therefore allowing pretty much year round operation.
Helicopter landing area: 10 acres field between barn and Dunlop bridge
NOTES: Today and for many years after WW2 period, car and bike racing track.
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