Nympsfield
NYMPSFIELD: Gliding site plus limited GA activity
Note: All three of these pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Note: This first picture from a postcard was kindly sent by Mike Charlton. If anybody can kindly offer advice about this picture, this will be most welcome.
All other pictures by the author unless specified
Operated by: 1970s to 2000s: Bristol & Gloucestershire Gliding Club
Note: In the 1957 The Aeroplane directory, the Bristol Gliding Club fleet was given as: One Cadet, one Tutor, one Prefect, one Olympia, one Slingsby T.21 and one Slingsby T.31.
Location: Just S of the B4066, 4nm SW of Stroud, on the western edge of the Cotswold escarpment
Maintenance: 2001: Roger Targett Sailplanes
Runway: 1990/2000: E/W 1120 grass
NOTES: In 1977 several GA types were based here: G-AODX (?), Thruxton Jackaroo G-APAM, Auster 6A G-ASIP of British Airways Gliding Club, Beagle A.61 Terrier 2 G-ASKJ and PA-18 Super Cub G-ABCFO of the Bristol & Gloucestershire Gliding Club, Fournier RF.4D G-AVNX plus PA-12 Super Cruiser G-BCAZ.
PERSONAL MEMORIES
I visited NYMPSFIELD at least two times with my truck when transporting aircraft. The first picture is of the remains of the unique Somers-Kendal SK.1 fuselage (G-AOBG) when I took it to Les Pallis SE of Tours in France, along with most of the remains of the Miles Monarch G-AFJU collected from OAKSEY PARK. It was planned by the owner that both aircraft would be restored at Les Pallis. The Somers-Kendal SK.1 is a very interesting aeroplane, designed and bulit on a shoe-string budget for the RAF requirement for a basic jet trainer. It appeared to be actually a very good design but was let down by its unreliable engine - which failed resulting in a crash-landing. That contract went to Hunting Percival for the Jet Provost.
The second visit was in December 2012 when I was asked to collect the Rans S.6 (G-SBAP) and deliver it to Earls Court in London for display on the Boeing stand at the Royal Tournament. As the registration suggests, this was one of the first 'Schools Build A Project' aircraft to reach flying status. What a wonderful concept that was, (and still is of course), which, having reached fruition must be massively applauded. I was contracted to do this move by the Royal Aeronautical Society and was very glad to assist, as I had before when G-SBAP was still under construction and exhibited at Earls Court the year before.
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