Dunkirk
Notes. Perhaps needless to say, this map only gives a rough idea, within the UK, as to the location of this site.
DUNKIRK: Temporary Landing Ground
Operated by: Mr H A Searby
Location: SW of Nottingham city centre, on the W side of the canal where the A52 ‘Clifton Boulevard’passes over
NOTES: According to the authors of TOLLERTON, an airfield for Nottingham, “The first Nottingham man to make a flight in Nottingham was H. A. Searby who learned to fly at Hendon in a Bleriot in 1910 when he was 18 years old. Wishing to own his own aeroplane, he designed and built one in a workshop in Hartley Road, Nottingham. The aircraft was a monoplane and Searby was assisted in building it by A. Allen.
It had a wing span of 30 feet and was powered by a 25 hp four-cylinder JAP engine. It's first flight was in 1912 over the canal at Dunkirk, Nottingham. It was later exhibited on the Notts County Football Club at Meadow Lane from where short flights were made.”
After more than twenty years of research I am constantly, (almost weekly), surprised to discover yet more flying sites. (Written in June 2012)
“Searby lost the sight in his right eye whilst testing the engine when a piece of the propeller broke off and struck him. This did not deter him because he built another aeroplane in 1914 and in 1919 yet another, although he did not fit an engine to the latter and it only flew as a glider.” From my point of view especially, I would like to discover where these aircraft flew from? “He built a total of nine gliders and was a founder member of the Nottingham Gliding Club.”
If anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be most welcome.
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