Rush Court
RUSH COURT: Temporary aerodrome
Note: The two maps and picture were kindly provided by Mr Michael T Holder.
The fourth picture was obtained from Google Earth ©
Operated by: Sir Alan Cobham's National Aviation Day, No.1 Tour
Location: Just W of RAF BENSON aerodrome, and just N of Wallingford town centre
Period of operation: 24th April 1933
Note: We need to remember that, even if operating for one day, the Flying Circus venues were officially licensed aerodromes.
NOTES:
I can take no credit for this at all. It was Mike Holder who did all the research. I only had it listed under 'Wallingford flying sites' and even then with a question as to where it might have been held.
He even unearthed a newspaper report of the event which seems well worth quoting excerpts from - not least because the display was held in pretty dismal weather conditions. As I expect many displays were.
The article is headed: NATIONAL AVIATION DAY DISPLAY
Sir Alan Cobham's Visit to Wallingford
Spectacular Display at Rush Court
The article starts with: "In connection with the crusade of National Aviation Day, a thrilling air display was given at Rush Court, Wallingford, on Monday afternoon and evening."
"Sir Alan Cobham, the intrepid airman, was personally in charge, with a large staff and full equipment, which included a Handley-Page air liner, a Tiger Moth, the Gipsy Moth in which Mr J. A. Mollison made his second Australian flight, and the new Autogiro."
"Sir Alan Cobham is conducting throughout Britain an intensive crusade for what he believes to be an urgent national necessity - the further development and expansion, without hindrance, of British aviation."
"Monday's display, therefore, was intended to cultivate an air-mindedness among the people; and those who took flights were enthusiastic with regard to the future of aviation. Sir Alan was heartily welcomed to the town by the Major, accompanied by the Mayoress and members of the Corporation."
"Visibility was very bad on account of the weather, and this compelled the pilots to keep low. In one respect this was an advantage, as every movement of the machines - explained by the announcer through the medium of a loud speaker - could be clearly observed by spectators."
This was an aspect of these 'Flying Circus' displays I had never questioned, given that since WW2 public-address systems are taken for granted at all major open-air events. But, in those days a novelty? The writer then gives details of the various flying displays, all pretty much standard for all the displays given a low cloud base and limited visibilty. Still the case today of course.
What also interested me were the last comments in the article: "During the afternoon the attendance was about 200, but in the evening there were between 600 and 700 people present." Hardly a large crowd, but, he says, "Every vantage point outside the enclosure was lined by spectators, and for that day at least Wallingford seemed to be decidedly air-minded."
This of course was always a major concern for all 'Flying Circus; operators. How to get the public close enough to pay an admission fee, rather than stand outside and view the displays for free. Never solved of course.
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