Hangmans Corner
HANGMAN'S CORNER: Occassional Landing Ground
Notes: These maps and pictures were kindly provided by Mr Michael T Holder
Location: At the E end of Barton Road, just SSW to SW of Cambridge city centre
Period of operation: Probably between 1923 and 1933?
Landing runs: Without any doubt into wind for both take-offs and landings. The site is unrecognizable today, being a park with mature trees. However, it seems that the runs available were about: NW/SE 285 grass SW/NE 280 grass
Quite long enough to cope with operations with, for example, an Avro 504K.
NOTES: Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide' has also found information on the inter-web from Mike Petty who really is the expert for aviation in Cambridge.
For example: "Barton Road Airfield 1923 10 15. An Avro Biplane was taking two passengers over Cambridge yesterday afternoon and when returning to the licenced aerodrome on Barton Road, the under-carriage fouled the hedge, causing the plane to fall almost vertically on its nose. The pilot was injured, but not the passengers, and the plane was only slightly damaged."
And: "1924 05 13. An aeroplane came to grief whilst alighting a a field on Barton Road, Cambridge, and the pilot and two passengers had a narrow escape from serious injuries. The plane was attached to Edward's Flying Service, which provides flights from a field off the Barton Road. It appears that the pilot was about to land and was manoeuvring for a position suitable for the direction of the strong wind when the engine stopped, and he was forced to land. The aeroplane crashed into a hedge and completely turned over, it's back being broken."
It now appears that this aircraft in 1923 was the Avro 504K G-EABE.
A MAJOR FLYING CIRCUS EVENT
It appears that, on the 18th May 1933, the British Hospitals Air Pageant displayed here.
"Hangman's Corner, Barton Road presented a scene of excitement when the British Hospital's Air Pageant visited Cambridge and all afternoon there was the incessant 'zoom' of aeroplanes 'taking off' and landing. All-in advanced aerobatics provided a thrill; the 'crazy' flying drew many a gasp whilst equally entertaining was the dancing to music by the tiniest machines in the show. Wing-walking and parachute jumping were presented, together with balloon bursting and a chase after a 'kidnapped' bride. One machine which caused amusement was Mr Heath Robinson's conception of a Chinese dragon; the 'flying motor cycle'.
When I asked Mike Holder if he had any idea what the 'flying motor cycle' might be, he immediately tracked this picture down. It was in fact a BAC Drone. Of interest perhaps is that the BAC Drone was renowned to being incredibly noisy - but the pilot seems to have no visible ear protection - although we cannot discount having as much cotton wool as possible stuffed into his ears? But would it work?
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