Lydd
LYDD: Civil regional airport (Also known as FERRYFIELD AIRPORT in the 1950s and 1960s)
Today, it seems, ridiculously known as LONDON-ASHFORD AIRPORT. What sort of morons dream this stuff up? It is nowhere near Ashford and a long way from London. Can we next expect to see LE TOUQUET - LONDON AIRPORT?
Note: All pictures by the author unless specified.
ICAO code: EGMD IATA code: LYX
Operated by:
1965: British United Air Ferries Ltd
1980s to 2000: Lydd Airport Group Ltd
Civil activities: Airline, car ferry, GA private, training, maintenance and aerial photography
Note: Britten-Norman Trislander G-BEDP operated by Sky-Trek, at LYDD in 1997. Picture by Guy Browning.
Note: Lydd AIR Britten-Norman Trislander on the apron in Le Touquet, France, August 2004:
British airline users: Air Kruise, BUA (British United Airways), Dan-Air, Love Air*, LyddAir, Silver City, Sky Trek Airlines, Skyways
Note: In the 1957 'The Aeroplane' directory, Silver City were listed as a Scheduled Airline Operater with Bristol Freighters and Superfreighters. Licensed operators of cross-Channel vehicle ferries to the Continent and Northern Ireland and general freight and passeenger contractors.
Charter/air taxi: Alidair, Business Air Travel, Janus Airways, LyddAir
Note: Copyright. British United Airways.
Cargo: Air Freight Ltd
Car ferry: Air Bridge Carriers, British United Air Ferries, Silver City
Flying club/school: Channel Aviation, Cinque Ports Flying Club, Gyrocraft, Lydd Aero Club, One to 1 Flight Training, Rye and Romney Flying School, Sky Leisure Aviation, South East College of Air Training
Maintenance: Aviation Traders Engineering, Skysure
Aerial photography: Skyfotos
Pleasure flights: Business Air Travel
Location: About 2nm S of New Romney, E of Lydd on the B2075
Period of operation: 1954 to -
Note: In 1993 the map shows runway 14/32 as being disused. However, in 2000 it appears to be active once more, albiet unlicensed. When making this note I have been trying to think of a runway at a British airport being reactivated - and failed. This said, the 'second' runway at OBAN (NORTH CONNELL) airfield was re-activated at some point between 1993 and 2000 - albiet both runways being unlicensed.
These maps are reproduced with the kind permission of Pooleys Flight Equipment Ltd. Copyright Robert Pooley 2014.
Runways:
1959: 04/22 1069x36 hard 14/32 975x36 hard
1965: 04/22 1504x36 hard 14/32 975x36 hard
1990: 04/22 1504x36 hard
2000: 04/22 1504x36 hard 14/32 690x356 hard
A MIKE CHARLTON GALLERY
These great pictures from postcards were kindly provided by Mike Charlton who has an amazing collection. See - www.aviationpostcard.co.uk
First picture: The Bristol 170 Superfreighter Mk32 was designed for Silver City, and entered service in 1954 when FERRYFIELD opened. Its extended nose makes it easy to distinguish from the earlier Freighter.
Fourth picture: Air Kruise was a subsidiary of Silver City and their Douglas C-47 Dakota 4 (G-AOBN) is seen here with a Silver City Bristol 170 Freighter beyond. Perhaps the next two are Freighters as opposed to Superfreighters.
G-AOBN was registered to Air Kruise from the 20th April 1955 until the 28th October 1957. It then transferred to Silver City until the 29th July 1970, which is rather interesting as Silver City apparently stopped trading in 1962 when taken over by BUA (British United Airways). Or did they keep the Silver City name going? It was registered to Eastlease Ltd from the 15th November 1971 until the 27th November 1975, when it returned 'home' to LYDD with Air Freight Ltd until the 20th July 1977 when it was sold to Ethiopia.
Sixth picture: What can we make of this? We have a Bristol Superfreighter in the foreground, a Douglas C-47 Dakota beyond and then a Bristol Freighter. It appears that the passengers, quite a number, are all heading for the Superfreighter, City of Glasgow (G-ANWI), which has presumably been equipped with seats as an 'airliner'?
Eigth picture: The Douglas C-47 Dakota 3 (G-ALPN) was originally registered to BEA (British European Airways Corporation) from the 19th October 1950 until the 13th November 1959. It then went to Silver City from the 17th November 1959 until the 5th of November 1968. Then PWFU, (Permanently Withdrawn From Use).
Tenth picture: Note the new cars, Renault Dauphins in the foreground, which is proof that Silver City were using spare capacity for this freight. Here, in 1960 for example, it is claimed that Silver City had 40,000 flights, carrying 220,000 passengers, 90,000 vehicles and 135,000 tons of freight. Presumably these imported new cars were classified as freight?
Eleventh picture: This Bristol 170 Superfreighter Mk32 (G-ANWJ), named City of Bristol, was previously operated by Silver City Airways. Now then, hang onto your hats. It is hardly the purpose of a simple 'Guide' such as this to provide an in depth history of any listing - but sometimes even just a picture needs some explanation. Sticking its tail in is F-BKBJ, another Superfreighter Mk.32 operated by Silver City's French sister company, Compagnie Air Transport - both being part of the British Aviation Services concern, as was Britavia.
In 1962 British Aviation Services merged with BUA (British United Airways) making it, I think, the largest UK independent airline. But here comes the rub. According to the records Silver City operated G-ANWJ from the 28th September 1956 until the 3rd of April 1962. So far so good. But, from the 3rd of April 1962 until the 5th February 1971 - it was registered to Britavia! It was then PWFU (Permanently Withdrawn From Use).
Thirteenth picture; One aspect in these pictures seems very revealing. Many of the cars being loaded are obviously fairly modest examples, not at all what I would have expected, and clearly not belonging to the typical types the very wealthly would be driving. Which I suppose indicates that the fares being charged opened up the market to a far wider part of society.
Fourteenth picture. Here again a picture crushes my preconceptions - a Carvair at LYDD? Extremely unlikely I would have thought - until seeing this picture. I have so much more to learn.
NOTES: It now appears LYDD opened on the 13th July 1954 and named FERRYFIELD. The first privately-owned airport built since WW2 by an “international airline,” (Silver City), for it’s own specialised operations. Despite the fact that in 1959 Silver City were operating 80-90 car ferry flights per day in the high season between Calais, Le Touquet and Ostend it was also noted that the airline was adding a significant number of inclusive tour and charter flights, (using DC-3s and Bristol Wayfarers only?), and the two operations had separate terminals.
A BIT OF HISTORY
The Silver City operation started at LYMPNE in 1948 using Bristol 170 Freighters which, I think, could only carry two cars. The later Bristol 170 Superfreighter Mk.32, specifically designed for use by Silver City, could carry three cars. It needs to be remembered that until two berths were opened in Dover Eastern Docks in 1953, all vehicles crossing the channel by sea, (cars, coaches and trucks), had to be craned aboard. So for those with the cash, flying their car and themselves across, was by far the best option. Also, the first 'Ro-Ro' vessels were miserable little tubs, quite small and liable to roll alarmingly in even a gentle swell, leaving them awash in the results of seasick passengers - hardly an alluring prospect for the well-to-do.
In its first year of operation it appears that 112,000 passengers and 42,500 vehicles were flown across the Channel. Perhaps less well known is that a variety of cargoes were also carried, including livestock, horses, sheep and pigs etc.
From 1958 Silver City car ferry services operated to Le Touquet (France), Ostend (Belgium) and Rotterdam (Netherlands) from LYDD. Possibly from MANSTON as well? By the 1960s British United Air Ferries, (who had absorbed Silver City), were reported to be making 320 flights a day into Europe from it’s various bases in England. Indeed, it appears the record, in one day, was 222 crossings from LYDD alone.
But, probably due to immense improvements in Ro-Ro services from Dover especially, the 'writing was on wall', and air ferry services terminated in 1979. Today of course the Ro-Ro ferry services from Dover are without equal anywhere in the world, with fabulous immense ships, carrying in 2016 around 2.5 million trucks alone. Note in 2017 to 'Brexit' fans - mostly owned by foreign companies!
THE SILVER CITY FLEET
I suppose LYDD will remain in the minds of ‘baby-boom’ generation the classic Silver City Airways base? They actually operated from several bases in the UK and served several destinations in Europe. In 1959 the fleet comprised both a total number and variety of types which surprised me:
Note: Copyright. Ian Allan
Bristol 170 Mk.21 Freighter: G-AGVC City of Sheffield, G-AHJI City of Bath, G-AIFM City of Carlisle, G-AIFV City of Manchester, G-AIME City of Exeter & G-AIMH City of Birmingham
Bristol 170 Mk.32 Superfreighter: G-AMWA City of London, G-AMWB City of Salisbury, G-AMWC City of Durham, G-AMWD City of Leicester, G-AMWE City of York, G-AMWF City of Edinburgh, G-ANWG City of Winchester, G-ANWH City of Hereford, G-ANWI City of Glasgow, G-ANWJ City of Bristol, G-ANWK Quatorze Juillet, G-ANWL City of Worcester, G-ANWM City of Aberdeen & G-ANWN City of Hull
De Havilland DH.104 Dove: G-AOTC
De Havilland DH.114 Heron: G-AOZM City of Bradford & G-AOZN City of Belfast
Douglas Dakota: G-AJWC City of Lincoln, G-AMJU City of Leeds, G-AMWV City of Lancaster, G-AMYV City of Oxford, G-AMYX City of Rochester, G-AMZB City of Guildford, G-ANAE City of Newcastle, G-ANLF City of Cambridge & G-AOBN City of Canterbury
AVIATION TRADERS
Aviation Traders Engineering had a maintenance base here and by the 1960s they were the largest independent maintenance company for commercial aircraft in the UK. Only BEA and BOAC had bigger operations it is claimed. Their operation was headed up by Freddy Laker, later Sir Freddy Laker, who pioneered “no thrills” cheap air travel to the USA. If he had set his sights on Europe at first who knows how that might have turned out? He certainly set a trend going which is still gaining pace today; and indeed, despite ferocious opposition at first, most if not all major airlines now offer discount flight deals.
OTHER AIRLINES
After Silver City, and by subsequently British Air Ferries, ceased operations in 1979, it appears that LYDD had no regular or scheduled service operator for many years? The only mention I have found is of Love Air, operating in or around the early 1990s with a single Piper PA-31 Navajo Chieftain with regular services to Le Touquet in France. These services were I suspect, high season only – not year round?
In 1997 Sky Trek Airlines commenced operations with two Brittan-Norman Trislanders, again with regular services to Le Touquet (high season only?). From 2002 this operation was renamed LyddAir and in 2012 the fleet consisted of one Beechcraft Baron, one Beechcraft Super King Air and three Piper PA-31 Navajos. Here again it appears the regular services were only to Le Touquet (?) which was of course once a major destination for Silver City.
A NOVEL FEATURE
An unusual and novel feature about LYDD is that is nearly always invisible from the air until you are nearly over it especially when approaching from the north. Exactly why this is I have no idea. My answer to this problem when flying in from the north is to take a heading when W of Ashford aiming for the atomic power station at Dungeness which is always visible when flying in VFR conditions as you approach LYDD. Having approached this airport from most other directions the same rule seems to apply. It really must be the most difficult UK airport to spot from the air. Fortunately it’s location near the coast makes it actually fairly easy to find.
A MAJOR EVENT
On the 30th June 1996, "The Lydd Classic Airliner Fly in & Classic Car Drive in" took place. In July 2017 I discovered that somewhere and somehow I have acquired a copy of the brochure printed for this event. It now seems to me that a mention must be made, pictures copied and some details recorded. Reading the brochure it is clear that this was just the first of more prestigious events - but they never developed. A great idea of course, such a shame it didn't come to fruition.
After a bit of research it appears that the airliners present on the day were: Bristol 170 Freighter C-FDFC, de Havilland DH89A Dragon Rapide G-AIDL (operated by Air Atlantique) and the de Havilland DH104 Dove G-OPLC (operated by Mayfair). In addition was the de Havilland DH114 Heron G-AORG, Douglas DC-3 Dakota G-DAKK (operated by South Coast Airways) and finally but most certainly not least the Vickers 806 Viscount G-APEY (operated by British World Airlines). It appears that the Dragon Rapide, Dove and Viscount were offering local 'joy-rides' and the Dakota G-DAKK was flying back and forth from Le Touquet in France.
It was hoped that the Bristol Freighter might one day ply back and forth across the Channel for special occassions, but sadly these plans came to an end when it crashed soon afterwards at ENSTONE in OXFORDSHIRE. See my listing for ENSTONE to see such sad pictures of the wrecked Freighter.
The third picture, of an advert to get a 'last chance' to fly in a Vickers Viscount, totally escaped my notice at the time - I was probably working abroad. If I knew I would very likely have flown across to LYDD. The good news is that this Viscount has been preserved at BROOKLANDS in SURREY.
The fifth picture, of G-ANWK, was incorrectly captioned - as the aircraft being a Bristol Freighter. It was of course a Superfreighter Mk.32, then operated by British Air Ferries, which would probably place it being pictured in or around 1968. Simply because the original picture had the tail of a Heinkel HE111 intruding, (see caption on the sixth picture).
The sixth picture is of especial interest to me for two reasons. Firstly to see two of the 'German' aircraft, but secondly because the film was so completely inaccurate on so many levels, portraying this historic period in a most misleading fashion. It was in fact mostly pure fiction, based very loosely on 'the real story'. However, it was very successful in the cinemas and consequently served to create a most misleading impression of 'The Battle' for those that saw the film - most of whom it appears, thought it was virtually a drama documentary.
The seventh picture is an advert for South Coast Airways who based their 'luxury DC-3' G-DAKK at BOURNEMOUTH (HURN) AIRPORT. There can probably be no other enterprise more deserving of support at all levels, or more fraught with difficulties in every single aspect, than trying to operate an ex-WW2 military transport in a commercially viable way in later years. Perhaps not surprisingly, the operation folded in 2002.
A MOST IMPORTANT POINT
Despite the intensity of its operations, Silver City had a first class safety record. Indeed, the airline was awarded the Cumberpatch Trophy, the British Commonwealth's highest safety award. Also, significantly, the airline appears to be highly regarded for the level of service and professionalism across the board - from aircrews to ground personnel.
LYDD AIR
In early 2018 I came across a 2017 brochure, which mentions that this was the airlines 20th anniversary. A picture of the fleet shows it comprised a Beech Jet, a Beech King Air and three Piper Chieftains.
You could hire a Chieftain for your own use for a day trip to Le Touquet for £1,195 (+ £25 pp), the King Air for £1,995 (+ £25 pp), or the Beech Jet for £2,995 (+ £25 pp).
Scheduled flights, mostly at a weekend, operated from March throught to October, but also included December. An adult fare wa £159.94 and a child (2 - 11) was £135.14. An infant (0 - 2) was £48.30.
NOTE: A scan of this rare postcard was kindly sent to me in January 2022 by Peter Klant, the editor of Pilot und Flugzeug magazine. It is dated 1957. We both agree that the terminal building is most probably fictional? But, could it be based on a real terminal building?
OUR 1992 ODESSY
When in the autumn of 1992 Ian Allan contracted Austin J Brown and myself to produce two books flying a Cessna 172 into most of the UK airports, we decided to include LYDD. This picture was taken when climbing out from runway 22.
PERSONAL MEMORIES
Lydd was always my prefered point of clearing Customs when departing for a trip into Europe, and often chosen when flying back. The picture of the Cessna 172 G-BGIU was taken in May 1997 on a long weekend trip to Ostende in Belgium. Two weeks later we also used Lydd for another long weekend trip to Dinard via Le Havre in this same aircraft.
The picture of the Cessna 172 G-BDNU was taken on 16th May 2003 when we (Marlene van Cleeff and Jim Munro) were departing for Luxembourg International Airport, our first staging point on a visit to Oberschleissheim (Munich) for a one-off airshow to celebrate the centenary of powered flight. This turned out to be a bit of an epic; at Luxembourg we discovered we were not now allowed to land at Oberschleissheim so we flew to Egelsbach in Germany where Jim's elder son was living nearby. To cut a long story short, with help from Detleff Mittman, a friend who flew a Cessna 172 from Oberschleissheim, it was arranged we should arrive before 08.00 when the air show proceedings started. To do this we decided to have a night stop in Nðrdlingen, only to discover that a 'Beerfest' was taking place - so no fuel and very little sleep!
Due to the pretty bad weather around at the time, we were 'awarded' the distinction of being the aircraft to arrive from the longest distance, and, the only British aircraft to arrive.
On the way back we encountered the biggest storm system ever recorded, it ranged from northern Spain to the Baltic, so we diverted in Stuttgart International airport for a night stop. The following day, by invitation from ATC I made a touch-and-go at Baden-Baden before landing once again at Luxembourg, to clear Customs. Happy memories.
Note: All pictures by Guy Browning
ANOTHER MEMORY
For my 50th birthday present my ever thoughtful (and forgiving) wife, Denise, brought me a flight from LYDD in the JP.T.4 Jet Provost XW428. We both flew down on the 1st September 1997, with my very good friend and fellow pilot Guy Browning (who took these pictures) from WYCOMBE AIR PARK in their trusty Cessna 172 G-WACL. This was my favourite of the 172s there, as it was just like me - a bit basic.
The pre-flight briefing, which lasted about half an hour, was very thorough and was mostly concerned with the correct use of the ejector seat. When I enquired about the flying characteristics, I was told - you'll have no problem. Needless to say I did not do the take-off and landing. It was a truly amazing experience, and, looking back, hard to appreciate that this aircraft was just a jet trainer - hardly a fighter. The sheer power was way beyond anything I had flown before, and I loved it. Also, being such a tough airframe, I could shove it brutally around the sky, and it took it all in its stride.
In fact, we were enjoying ourselves so much the owner of the 'JP 'granted me an extra ten minutes, as, when the session was drawing to a close he spotted a cross-channel ferry nosing out of Dover. He took control and dived at high speed towards the ferry passing in front, (but just beyond 500ft of course), at nigh on sea-level before pulling up and going vertical. I can still vividly remember looking over my shoulder a few seconds later and seeing Dover as if portrayed on a map - magic!
MORE PICTURES AT LYDD
Richard Amphlett
This comment was written on: 2020-01-20 14:49:17What info do you have on the use of Vickers Vanguard/Merchantman by Silver City , least from Aviation Trader. There are photos on Google Images of these in use in the early 1970, but which time Silver City had ceased trading in about 1964. Decal sheet for model by S&M Models
Dick Flute
This comment was written on: 2020-01-20 19:40:21Hi Richard, I have no information about this aircraft. However, I shall keep this posted and hopefully some kind person can offer advice. Best regards, Dick
Christopher Dunkerley
This comment was written on: 2020-03-10 12:29:25Hi I'm pretty sure I flew from Lydd to Beauvais return in the late 70's .I'm almost certain it was a HS748. My journey consisted of a train journey from Manchester to London then a coach link to Lydd.I think the trip was booked with Paris Travel Service.Would you have info on the airline/type and in particular photos of the aircraft involved on that route Many thanks Chris
Dick Flute
This comment was written on: 2020-03-10 21:29:09Hi Christopher, You flew from Lympne. As indeed did my wife and I around the same period. Hopefully you will find enough information in my listing to satisfy your query. Best regards, Dick
Derek Smith
This comment was written on: 2020-06-08 22:25:15I travelled on 2 round trips from Lydd. First on a Silver City DC3 to Basle, Switzerland in 1959 and then by Love Air to LTQ in November 1991 (so not just high season). Check-in and formalities were very basic, but very effectively handled by Linda, a real "Jack of All Trades". The outbound flight was in a full Piper Navajo on 7th November, flown by an ex-USAF F-111 pilot. On this flight I was able to sit next to the pilot and see first hand the problems making a cross wind wet weather landing in the early evening gloom in LTQ. The rain was coming through the LTQ terminal roof into a strategically placed bucket alongside the baggage reclaim bench. The return the following day had 10 passengers so was made by 2 x 6 seater Piper Comanches of the London Flying Club. Lunch in LTQ was taken in the local flying club restaurant, which proved to be an excellent "time warp" back to the 40s/50s and with only propeller planes outside on the apron. A really memorable experience when all of my other flying at that time was by jet airliners through large airports.
John Turvill
This comment was written on: 2020-07-14 20:16:33I fondly remember flying on the 'Quatorze Juillet' from Lydd to Le Touquet in the late 50s with my parents in their 1958 Morris Oxford, on the first stage of a road trip to Pompeii.
Andrew McGill
This comment was written on: 2021-03-28 23:35:11Good evening all, I'd like to clarify for Christopher that there was another scheduled operator based at Lydd. They flew HS748s on the Lydd - Le Touquet and Beauvais from 1989-1991 in addition to operating charter flights for other scheduled airlines during this time.
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