South Cerney
SOUTH CERNEY: Military aerodrome
Note: This picture (2006) was obtained from Google Earth ©
Military users: Pre WW2: Royal Air Force
No.2 FTS [Flying Training School] (Hawker Harts and Audax)
No.3 FTS (Hawker Audax', Furys & Harts)
WW2: RAF Flying Training Command 23 Group
3 FTS [Flying Training School]
3 AFU [Advanced Flying Unit] (Avro Ansons & North American T-6 Harvards)
6 SFTS [Service Flying Training School] (Airspeed Oxfords & Avro Ansons)
15 SFTS (North American T-6 Harvards)
POST 1945:
1975 to 1985 at least: Army
625 VGS [Volunteeer Gliding School]
Location: S of A419, SW of Driffield & Harnhill villages, 4nm SE of Cirencester
Period of operation: 1937 to 1985 certainly. Still shown on present day aviation charts for parachuting and launched hang-gliding
Runways: WW2: Steel matting 01/19 892 grass 09/27 983 grass
NOTES: Pretty obviously a very busy training station at the end of 1944 with a total of 1964 RAF personnel on station plus 403 WAAFs.
In 1977 the Scheibe SF28A G-BARZ was based here - the only civil powered aircraft.
WORLD AEROBATIC CHAMPIONSHIPS
In 1986 the World Aerobatic Championships was held here and since the current series started in 1960 Great Britain has hosted the competition just three times. The first being at HULLAVINGTON (WILTSHIRE) in 1970 and most recently at SILVERSTONE (NORTHAMPTONSHIRE) in 2009.
In 2011 I saw a GA aircraft on the apron, a PA-28 type. So, though apparently ‘non-operational’ (?) this grass airfield has been kept in very good condition from what I have seen driving past.
Still looking pristine. If anybody can kindly offer advice regarding aircraft movements in recent years, this will be most welcome.
Michael J. Hoke
This comment was written on: 2018-02-27 23:03:42In June of 1965, the World Gliding Championships was held at South Cerney, with a fleet of Chipmunks acting as tow planes. I was there, crewing for the USA team, at age 16. A beautiful airfield!
Richard C Hannaford
This comment was written on: 2019-06-30 15:23:59I was a Corporal in the ATC (1244Squadron,Swindon ) and in 1965. I did my 3 solos in a Slingsby Kirby Cadet Mk Ill to gain my gliding pilot's licence at South Cerney.A memorable day! - the closest I got to a flying career!
Gordon Thompson
This comment was written on: 2021-03-08 00:16:05I lived at 27 Hannah Crescent and was there in 1965 when the gliding championships were on, have some pictures of the event. was one of my favourite camps that my dad was stationed at
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