Pebsham
PEBSHAM: Civil aerodrome
(Aka HASTINGS aerodrome, BEXHILL aerodrome and St LEONARDS aerodrome)
Note: Part of the site is also listed as BULVERHYTHE PARK
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
The 1931 article was published in the Hastings and St. Leonard Observer.
Note: The 1932 and 1938 articles were published in the Bexhill-on-Sea Observer.
Note: The 1938 article was published in the Hastings and St. Leonard Observer.
The 1949 article was published in the Weekly Dispatch.
Operated by: Post WW2: Hastings & East Sussex Air Services
Location: Just N of the A259 between Bexhill and St Leonards
Period of operation: Initially circa 1931? 1948 to possibly 1958
NOTES: All credit for this site being listed has to go to Terry Clark, who, in January 2018 suggested that the vague details I had for an aerodrome/airport, as a listing included in 'Hastings flying sites', refers to PEBSHAM. He also wisely advised me to trawl around for information. What emerged was very interesting in as much as nothing cohesive, such as a proper history of the site, seems to exist. Needless to say, (see above), Mike Holder who is another great friend of this 'Guide' really came up with the 'goods' in March 2021.
It now appears that the first mention of a site being laid out is in 1931. One person recalls air shows being held here before WW2. I suspect that pleasure flights were also taking place, and in those days such activities could easily, but erroneously of course, lead to the site being described as an airport. Mind you, even today several aerodromes try to adopt the 'airport' monika.
They can of course put a signboard up, but unless commercial (passenger and/or freight) scheduled services have, or are taking place, the term 'airport' is virtually meaningless. How interesting to see that briefly after WW2 this site was considered for becoming a regional airport.
However, it appears that nothing much happened here in WW2 except for RAF fighters, and a couple of bombers, using it for diversions and forced landings.
The aerodrome was officially opened by the Mayor of Hastings in July 1948 and a fourteen year lease was granted to Hastings & East Sussex Air Service, who were operating mostly pleasure flights using Auster Autocrats. It seems uncertain how long this arrangement continued. Some reports say it was over by the early 1950s, but, another mention in Flight in 1957 says that expansion plans were being considered by Hastings Town Council.
AEROMODELLERS
It also appears that this site was frequently used by aeromodellers. If anybody can kindly offer advice about this, and indeed any further information regarding this airfield, this will be much appreciated. See BULVERHYTHE PARK:
PRIVATE AIRCRAFT
It appears that the Avro Prefect G-AHVO (ex K5066) belonging to Mr A G Harding arrived in the late 1940's. It never flew again and was seen being taken away by road. Other accounts say it was scrapped, but of course, this could be the case either way. Apparently Mr Mike Macey had the Auster 5 G-ANHR based here.
Also, it appears that Mr George Lush had a Klemm 25 based here, painted blue but no registration information so far. And finally it seems that an Auster Arrow was based here.
As always in this 'Guide', if anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be much appreciated.
Peter Baverstock
This comment was written on: 2021-03-04 06:30:39I recall going to see an air display here. It must have been the early 1950’s when I was about 5 years old. I don’t remember much other than seeing lots of biplanes taking off in the direction of the A259.
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