Roundwood Farm
ROUNDWOOD FARM: Private airstrip
Note: All four of these pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Location: Just N of the A303, just W of POPHAM airfield, about 9nm SW of Basingstoke town centre
Period of operation: 1980s(?) to -
Runway: 17/35 790 grass
NOTES: There was a period during the whole of the1980s, (possibly before?), when this site was very well known as being established by Mr Charles Church and his Aircraft Restoration Company. In effect a Spitfire restoration 'factory'.
Sadly, in 1989, Mr Church died in this area when crashing in one of his Spitfires when the engine failed. According to the accident report apparently trying to do something we pilots are taught when learning to fly, never ever to attempt. Which is to try and extend the glide after engine failure.
Doubly sad also, because if you have to crash land, a Spitfire is one of the best aircraft to do this in. Having that Merlin up front will plough through most obstacles such as hedges. As so many Spitfire pilots have testified during WW2. A stall at low level being bound to be fatal.
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