Dumfries flying sites
Note: This map only locates the town of Dumfries within the UK.
DUMFRIES see also PARK FARM
DUMFRIES see also TINWALD DOWNS & 'DUMFRIES' WW2 airfield seperate entry
DUMFRIES see also TINWALD DOWN FARM
DUMFRIES see also TINWALD SHAWS FARM
DUMFRIES: Temporary aerodrome?
NOTES:
Dumfries was the 36th venue for the 1929 Sir Alan Cobham's Municipal Aerodrome Campaign. He displayed here on the 16th July 1929. This Tour started in May and ended in October with a planned one hundred and seven towns and cities to be visited. Mostly in England there were two venues in Wales and eight in Scotland. In the end, after a couple of crashes and other problems, he managed to visit 97 venues. Still a quite magnificent achievement.
DUMFRIES was the 6th venue in Scotland, the previous venues being GLASGOW, STIRLING, PERTH, EDINBURGH and LANARK. Afterwards STRANRAER and AYR were visited. It is of course very tempting to conclude that one of the later venues was used on this first visit. Possibly even PARK FARM used many years before by the Berkshire Aviation Company. But, experience has taught me to be very wary of jumping to easy conclusions.
If anybody could kindly offer advice, this will be much appreciated.
The aircraft used by Cobham for this 'Tour' was the DH61 'Giant Moth' G-AAEV, named 'Youth of Britain'. The schedule he set was quite remarkable, with barely a break. Typically he would arrive at a new venue each day around 11am, treat the 'worthies' to a flight, (or flights), attend a 'slap-up' luncheon to extol the virtues of having an aerodrome or regional airport, and take fifty children, ten at a time, for a flight sponsored by Lord Wakefield. Then he would conduct paid flights, giving the locals 'joy-rides' until dusk, again without taking a break. His stamina was astonishing. The idea being that the revenue derived from the paying public would mostly off-set the costs of the 'Tour'.
Venue 22nd September 1931 for CD Barnard Air Tours. I’d assume they perhaps used the “TINWALD DOWNS” site but can this be confirmed?
The same question applies to the venue used by Sir Alan Cobham’s 1934 Tour who displayed in/near Dumfries on the 1st May. On the 8th July 1935 Cobham’s No.2 Tour visited DUMFRIES, also using the “TINWALD DOWNS” site perhaps?
Once again, if anybody now knows the location(s) used, this advice will be most welcome.
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