Chippenham
Note: This map only shows the position of Chippenham within the UK. If anybody can kindly offer advice on the exact location for these venues, this will be much appreciated.
CHIPPENHAM: Temporary aerodrome?
NOTES:
It appears, according to newspaper reports, that Modern Airways Crimson Fleet, displayed here in 1932, before moving to Bath at GLASSHOUSE FARM.
On the 4th October 1933 Sir Alan Cobham’s No.2 displayed in/near Chippenham.
Another point that interests me is the way these Cobham tours often zig-zagged over substantial distances for no apparent reason rather than taking a nearest point-to-point plan. For example the day before they displayed at East Grinstead in SUSSEX and the next day displayed at Aldbourne also in WILTSHIRE but returned to Horsham in SUSSEX the next day. Was there a reason for this?
As pointed out elswhere in this 'Guide', even if only operated for just one day, which was quite typical, the field used was nevertheless regarded as being a licensed aerodrome. And indeed, in the early days two men from the Ministry would arrive in advance to inspect the site and advise on its suitability, sometimes imposing operational restrictions. Later on it was decided to allow approved operators to be, in effect, self-licensing.
IMPRESSIVE
What is most impressive is the planning involved to run these almost continuous displays for several months. An advance team would arrive to set up the tented accommodation and catering etc. The only chance to service and maintain the aircraft was generally through the night in very basic conditions. The entire team would only occassionally get a days rest, but, even so, the safety record appears to have been very good indeed.
Alan Cobham was a notorious workaholic, and I often wonder if he had a high turnover rate within his crews, both ground and aircrew? As the subject doesn't appear to get mentioned, it would seem that this was not the case? When you consider that as often as not his pilots usually had to get up early to fly to the next venue, fly and display all day pretty much, with operations often continuing after dark, surely they must have become very fatigued at times?
But, I have no idea how the day to day schedules actually worked. Perhaps the pilots, individually, did get ample rest, despite appearances to the contrary?
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