Godlingston Manor
Note: This map only gives a general position within the UK. I have tried, without succes to pinpoint this airstrip on Google Earth, but suspect it ceased to exist many years ago. If anybody could kindly provide an exact location, this advice will be most welcome.
GODLINGSTON MANOR: Private airstrip and heli-pad nearby
Note: Pictures by the author.
Operated by: Mr Ben Bowerman
Location: 1nm north of Swanage
Period of operation: Established but unused by fixed wing aircraft in July 2003
Runway: E/W 500x20 grass
NOTES: When the success of our floatplane project to visit Swanage clearly showed we'd need more fuel to undertake more flights, Ben Bowerman very kindly offered us use of his airstrip. The runway was used by a Schweitzer 296 Model 300C (G-BWDV) operated by Bournemouth Helicopters in July 2003 to supply fuel to a bowser I had borrowed from Bournemouth Helicopters and carried on a small 3.5 ton dropside truck I had rented in advance of our flight.
This was driven by two volunteers from the Manpower employment agency in Southampton who both had the ADR certification to carry Avgas. We were very kindly not charged by Bournemouth Helicopters for this "errand of mercy".
We decanted the fuel from the standard fuel tank on the helicopter. The small truck carrying the bowser then drove into Swanage to keep our Cessna 172 Reims Rocket (G-DRAM) floatplane operating private flights out of Swanage Bay until the evening. We then refuelled G-DRAM from the bowser for the flight back to LOCH EARN in Scotland the following day.
This was a unique project undertaken by James Roland and myself, (see FLYER magazine November 2003 for a full account). Also, see SWANAGE for more pictures etc.
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