Kingswood Knoll
KINGSWOOD KNOLL: Private airstrip
Operated by: Mr C B Field
Location: Alongside the A217 roughly about 0.5nm N of junction 8 on the M.25
Period of operation: 1930s only it would appear
Runway: N/S close to the A217
NOTES: In British Built Aircraft Vol.3 Ron Smith gives considerable details of the aircraft handled by Brian Field’s company Field Aircraft Constructions Ltd but first I’d like to quote this; “Mr C.B. Field built a hangar at Kingswood Knoll and flew a wide range of aircraft from an adjoining field, operating north-south, parallel to the line of the A217.” He goes on to say, “The hangar at Kingswood was still extant in 1997, used by a tyre company, next to the cornfield alongside the A217 that was used as an airstrip.” So that should make it pretty easy to trace the exact location?
The list of aircraft handled is: Avro 504Ks G-ABSL, G-ABSM, G-ABSN, G-ACAU and G-ACAW assembled here in 1932 and 1933. During the same period the following Avro 504s were converted to Avro 552 standard; G-ACAW, G-ACAX and G-ACRP and G-AEAA became a Avro 504N equivalent. He says that G-ACAW was used by Plane Advertising from Abridge.
In October 1932 Mr Field purchased the SE5A G-EBTK which had been built at CROYDON by the Henderson Flying School from parts supplied by ADC. He also operated the last Martinsyde built, the AV1 G-ABKH which was built by ADC in 1931, plus the Dudley-Watt DWII G-AAWK which was dismantled here in December 1934. In May 1935 it seems he acquired the rather ancient DH9A G-AACP to join the banner towing fleet.
In 1935 the Parnall Peto N182 was rebuilt and registered G-ACOJ and Mr Field also owned two Supermarine S5s, N219 and N220 plus the Gloster IV racer N224. In addition he owned the Miles Falcon G-ADLI which, I would imagine, he used as his private runabout? In 1936 civil conversions of Hawker Tomtits was carried out and at least five were put on the civil register; G-AEVO, G-AFFL, G-AFIB, G-AGEF and G-AFVV.
Ron Smith mentions that, from November 1940, Brian Field was engaged in production test-flying for Airspeed Ltd at CHRISTCHURCH (HAMPSHIRE) and was sadly killed in an accident involving a Miles Master on the 26th August 1943.
FLYING CIRCUS VENUES?
It would seem hard to believe that this site wasn't also the ROOKERY FARM used by several 'Flying Circus' operators in the 1930s. (See seperate entry). But, quite often in those days, these operators used sites very close to, and even next door or across the road from established airfields.
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
