Manywells Heights
Note: Some time ago I made these remarks: This map only gives a rough position within the UK, but, by a fluke it may just be accurate for the airfield? If anybody could either confirm this, or provide a more exact location, this advice will be much appreciated.
In May 2017 I was kindly contacted by Michael Florence - see comments below. The present map will give a much better idea.
The first two items were kindly provided by Mr Rod Hewitt. The shaded area on the first map shows the location of the aerodrome. The second item is of much interest as this route map for: "Aerial travel for Business or Pleasure" was published by Thomas Cook & Son in 1919, and shows MANYWELLS HEIGHT as being a Civil Station. The third and fourth items have been added from my Google Earth © derived database.
THE FIRST VISIT BY AIR (PROBABLY?) TO MANYWELLS HEIGHTS
Note: Rod Hewitt kindly sent this account of Capt. Maclean landing his Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 type whilst en route from FARNBOROUGH to MONTROSE in October 1913, after running short of fuel. He arrived on Saturday 11th and departed on the 13th. Just why he had decided to fly over a very hilly route is hard to explain, considering the much flatter country not so far to the east.
MANYWELLS HEIGHTS: Military Landing Ground during WW1, later Civil Station (Also known as CULLINGWORTH)
Military users: RCF/RAF (Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force)
33 [Home Defence] Sqdn (Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2s supplemented with F.E.2. Later Bristol F.2B Fighters and finally a night fighter version of the Avro 504)
76 [Home Defence] Sqdn (Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2s & B.E.12s. Later Bristol F.2B Fighters)
Note: As this appears to have been something of a satellite Landing Ground, I cannot be completely certain that all these examples would have flown from this airfield. Can anybody kindly advise on this?
Location: Near Cullingworth on the B6429, 2.5nm SSE of Keighley, 6.5nm WNW of Bradford centre
Period of operation: Military1916 to 1919.
Note: Briefly it seems, listed as a Civil Station. But, was it ever used as such, and if so, by whom?
Later used by microlights in the 1980s.
Site area: WW1 40 acres 503 x 384
Michael Florence
This comment was written on: 2017-05-12 11:37:37The actual location of the airfield was further to the south west, i.e. approx. Halfway between David Wilson Homes and New Coley's Nurseries and to the west of Hewendon Reservoir. There is a landfill site just to the north of where it was. I lived in Cullingworth and in the early 80's this grass strip was often used by microlights. It's not that far from Oxenhope International Airfield which I've flown to a few times from Rufforth.
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Michael, Many thanks, I shall try, with your advice, to present a more accurate location. Best regards, Dick
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