Cheltenham flying sites
Note: This map only shows the location of Cheltenham town within the UK.
CHELTENHAM see also CROSS HANDS
CHELTENHAM see also THE GREENWAY HOTEL
CHELTENHAM see also ULLENWOOD COURT
CHELTENHAM: MONTPELLIER GARDENS Temporary airship base
Note: All the above were kindly sent in June 2020 by Mr Michael T Holder
NOTES: Many years ago I had made this brief entry: "Apparently just before August 1910, when E T Willows flew his airship from EAST MOORS near Cardiff to London he made a ‘proving flight’ of sorts from Cheltenham to Cardiff. But, did he land?" Below is information tracked down by Mike Holder for this 'Guide' from a contemporary newspaper cutting.
CHELTENHAM: Temporary Landing Ground
NOTES: In 1911 Bentfield C Hucks gave some demonstration flights in a Blackburn Mercury monoplane.
Is the site used known today?
CHELTENHAM: Temporary aerodrome? (Aka FLYING FIELD)
Location: Brooklyn Road, St Marks, roughly 1nm W of Cheltenham town centre
Note: This picture from the Phillips family was scanned from the excellent book Cornwall Aviation Company by Ted Chapman published in 1979. It is not known where or when this picture was taken but it does give a good idea of the fairly rudimentary circumstances under which they operated. In 1926 their second aircraft, another Avro 504K G-EBNR, toured from March to November throughout the West Country and Southern England.
Operated by: 1926: The Cornwall Aviation Company
1927 and 1928: Western Aviation
Note: Western Aviation also operated two Avro 504K, G-EBQR and G-EBXV. It appears they also purchased a third, G-EBSG, but didn't have it registered. Possibly used as a source for spare parts?
Note: In June 2020 Mr Michael T Holder very kindly investigated the location of this venue for this 'Guide'. With fabulous results.
Period of operation: March 1926
Note: The original display, also offering passenger flights, was scheduled for the 21st March - but had to be curtailed - presumably due to bad weather, high winds etc. Adverts appeared in local papers saying the event would be re-staged on the 28th. In effect quite a display was held, all with two Avro 504Ks. Those guys really did work their socks off - doing with just two aircraft what today would require several.
NOTES: During the previous two years the Cornwall Aviation Company, (based in St Austell, Cornwall), operated just one Avro 504K, G-EBIZ. The two founders of the company, Capt. Percival Philips (pilot) and A J Adams (Licensed Ground Engineer), ran the show normally assisted by one or two others capable of helping with maintenance, selling tickets, looking after passengers and so on. As far as I am aware they did not venture further east than Bath.
This all changed in 1926 when G-EBNR was purchased and extra staff taken on. The pilot was Captain E W Jordan and he was assisted by Mr P Swan and Cyril Poole. The fare was 5 shillings per passenger but braver souls could pay 15 shillings for a 'loop-the-loop' or £1 for a spin. Advance publicity often entailed performing loops over the town centre and inviting local worthies such as the mayor and local newspaper reporters for free flights. Quite often local newpapers ran competitions for free flights which, it appears, greatly boosted their circulation.
It is said that women often outnumbered the men queueing for a flight, and, many of them were keen for an aerobatic experience. It needs to be remembered that generally speaking these operators avoided using established aerodromes, and usually a local farmer was happy to be paid £1 a day for use of a field.
Note: Mike Holder also kindly tracked down these items. The first was published in the Gloucestershire Echo on the 27th March 1926. The second was published in the Cheltenham Chronicle on the 23rd April 1927, and the third, also in the Cheltenham Chronicle on the 7th April 1928.
CHELTENHAM: Temporary aerodrome
On the 6th September 1933 Sir Alan Cobham’s No.2 Tour displayed in/near Cheltenham, at KAYTE FARM
Note: The map and second picture were also kindly provided by Mr Michael T Holder. (The third and fourth pictures being obtained from Google Earth ©). Mike, who researched the subject and came up with this location. It has to be said that although I set up this 'Guide', so much of its worth is largely due to so many very kindly and generous people offering their help.
CHELTENHAM: Private airstrip
Operated by: 1992: Mr A O Colburn
Location: Near Cheltenham
Period of operation: ?
Runway: 1992: 03/21 900x30 grass
CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE: Private helicopter landing area (See seperate listing with map)
Operated by: 1998: Helicopter & Aviation Services Ltd
2000: Hascombe Aviation Services Ltd on behalf of The Racecourse Authority
Location: 1nm N of Cheltenham, 3nm SW of STAVERTON (GLOUCESTERSHIRE AIRPORT)
Landing area: 1998: ‘H’ marked in centre of course
2000: 05/23 400x30 grass
CHELTENHAM: Military airstrip?
Military user: US Army Air Corps most probably. Did they actually use only STAVERTON?
Period of operation: 1943/45?
NOTES: This all seems rather vague, but, it seems to me there is enough circumstantial evidence, to make a listing in this 'Guide'. If anybody can kindly add more information, this advice will be most welcome.
Michael T Holder
This comment was written on: 2020-06-11 12:52:59On 6 Sep 1933 Sir Alan Cobham displayed at Kayte Farm, Evesham Road - 51 55 53"N 002 03 39"W.
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