Rolvenden
Note: This map only gives a rough estimation for the location of this airstrip within the UK.
ROLVENDEN: Private airstrip
NOTES: The AAIB report EW/G2012/07/16 concerns a landing accident involving the Percival Proctor 3, G-ALJF on an airstrip situated “12nm south-west of Ashford”. This would place the airstrip in or around Rolvenden. The strip is described as 11/29 and 350 metres long. I have spent some time searching Google Earth for this airstrip in this area and have found nothing. Generally airstrips show up very clearly. Can anybody kindly put a location on this airstrip?
The AAIB report also states: “The pilot, who was familiar with the airstrip, having flown from it for a number of years…” I find this interesting - it is not often realised that the classic British light aircraft, especially of the 1930s era, invariably seriously out-perform later types from the USA, in terms of all aspects of performance - take-off and landing, cruise speed and payload.
But, they were built of wood and fabric rather than metal and most of them, unless stored and treated in a most sympathetic way, very quickly deteriorated beyond repair. Plus, not being built with a long life in mind, the glues available soon came apart, and, of course they simply did not have the advanced glues we have today available at that time.
As a lad and spotty spotter, over fifty years ago, the hangars at airfields around London at least, were nigh on full of these 'hangar queens' usually awaiting a dismal fate.
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