Horton Kirby
HORTON KIRBY. Civil aerodrome
Operated by: Horton Kirby Flying Club
Location: Just NE of Horton Kirby village, which is about 2nm E of the M25 and M20 junction
Period of operation: September 1931 to September 1939
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
We have Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', to thank for providing the following. Not least because when I first came across a mention of this small aerodrome many, many years ago, I could find no clue as to where it was located.
Note: The excerpt is from Peaceful Fields by John F Hamlin.
Note: The short article was published in the Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser on the 9th June 1939.
When learning to fly in the 1980s I was surprised to hear that for many light twins, if one engine fails, the remaining engine transports you to the site of the accident!
G-AAHE was an Avro 594 Avian IV, (picture from The Aviation Historian). It was registered to Horton Kirby Flying Club from 06.01.39 until 01.09.39 when it was declared WFU (Withdrawn From Use). It appears it was scrapped during WW2, clearly not being deemed suitable for being impressed into military service, unlike so many other light aircraft.
The second excerpt is from British Light Aeroplanes by Arthur W J G Hume.
NOTES: I first came across this site when looking into the history of the de Havilland DH80A Puss Moth G-ABVX, ostensibly operated by Hillmans Airways at STAPLEFORD, but apparently registered to a private owner who presumably rented it out to Hillmans Airways?
It was then registered to the Horton Kirby Flying Club, with the address; The Aerodrome, Horton Kirby. From the 6th June 1939 until the 15th November 1939.
In June 2023, whilst looking at the history of the B.A. (Klemm) L25C Swallow 2, G-ADDB, for another listing, I found that it was registered to the Horton Kirby Flying Club, from 19.01.39 until 12.03.39. Barely three months. Presumably it did not find favour with the club members? How the world changes - today many pilots would give their eye teeth to get their hands on one! In a very literal sense I did get my hands on one, but, transporting it in my truck doesn't really count of course.
Then, also in June 2023, I was kindly contacted by Mr Graham Frost, another great friend of this 'Guide', who pointed out that the de Havilland DH60G Moth, G-AFPY, was registered to the Horton Kirby Flying Club from 17.03.39 until 15.11.39 when it was impressed as X5049. Later becoming an instructional airframe as 2610M. It appears that this example was manufactured by Southern Aircraft.
Later, in February 2024, Graham pointed out that the DH60X Moth, G-AAPW, was also registered to the Horton Kirby Flying Club, from 13.01.39 until 03.02.40 when it was impressed as W7945.
Just like so many other aviation endeavours in the 1930s, this aerodrome was soon scuppered when WW2 was declared on the 3rd September 1939.
Carole King
This comment was written on: 2021-05-19 12:29:03My Uncle William George Henry King ,got his Flying Cert, 5/8/1939 in Gipsy Moth, at thiis airdrome.He went on to become Pilot Officer William George Henry King, 125 Squadron, Flying Beau Fighter, he went down in the sea , off Strumble Head 1942. While testing Blue Streak Radar, never found him.Im really Proud of him, he was my Fathers Brother.
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