Lowestoft flying sites
Note: This map only gives the position of Lowestoft within the UK.
LOWESTOFT: Military Balloon Station
Military users: RNAS/RAF Kite Balloon Station
Location: 0.5nm from Lowestoft railway station
Period of operation: 1917 to 1919
Site area: 8 acres
NOTES: Apparently only two kite balloons were stationed here.
LOWESTOFT: Temporary aerodrome?
Operated by: Sir Alan Cobham's Tours
Location: (1933) Corton Road, N of and near Lowestoft town centre
Period of operation: Late September 1929, 18th August 1933
NOTES: Venue for Alan Cobham’s 1929 Municipal Aerodrome Campaign Tour?
Lowestoft was the planned 90th venue for the 1929 Sir Alan Cobham's Municipal Aerodrome Campaign. This Tour started in May and ended in October with one hundred and seven venues intended to be visited. Mostly in England two were in South Wales and eight in Scotland. Eventually, after a couple of crashes and other setbacks, it appears that 96 venues were visited - still a magnificent achievement of course.
There is some evidence that Cobham did visit Lowestoft on the 3rd October 1929, making it his 94th venue. However, we have yet to find any supporting evidence.
If correct did he possibly use the Corton Road location?
The aircraft Cobham mostly used for this Tour was the ten-seater de Havulland DH61 'Giant Moth' G-AAEV, named 'Youth of Britain'. The punishing schedule he set himself seems astonishing today. Highly recommended are his memoirs in 'A Time To Fly'.
Without any doubt this Tour helped to result in several aerodromes/regional airports being created. But was one of the sites later created near here one of them? If anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be much appreciated.
Venue, 18th August 1933, for Sir Alan Cobham’s 1933 No.2 Tour of the UK
LOWESTOFT: Temporary heliport
Operated by: BEA (British European Airways)
Location: Unknown?
Period of operation: June to September 1948
NOTES: This appears to have been a postal service only. If anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be most welcome.
LOWESTOFT: Heliport
Operated by: BEA (British European Airways)
Location: In Lowestoft docks
Period of operation: 1965 to ?
NOTES: These services were mainly in support of the North Sea oil and gas rigs. Here again, if anybody can kindly provide advice, this will be much appreciated.
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