Taunton flying sites
Note: This map only shows the position of Taunton within the UK.
TAUNTON see also HALCON CORNER
TAUNTON see also HAYDON FARM
TAUNTON see also VIVARY PARK
TAUNTON: Temporary flying site (See seperate listing for HALCON CORNER)
NOTES: Henri Salmet visited Taunton westbound on the 29th May and returned on the 22nd June 1912, heading back to Cardiff before heading off for the southern parts of the Midlands.
In 1913 he was once again sponsored by the Daily Mail to undertake another Tour of the southern parts of the UK, including South Wales, and I’ve been slowly piecing together parts of his itinerary for both years. However, in recent years I have been joined by Mike Holder in this quest and he has been doing a fabulous job on the 1912 tour. See the schedule in my article - "The 1912 tour by Henri Salmet".
TAUNTON: Temporary aerodrome
Operated by: Cornwall Aviation Company
The caption in the Cornwall Aviation Company book by Ted Chapman is: "The Cornwall Aviation Company Flying Circus, 1931." The aeroplanes are the Avro 504Ks G-AAAF and G-EBSE. "At Taunton with A.J. Adams on the left (holding megaphone) Captain West is in a tartan suit. Frank Cradock in white overalls and Bill Craig, dressed as Charlie Chaplin, has his arm around "Aunty" - Captain Crundall. The next four have not been positively identified but Jim Martin is on the right."
Location: ?
Period of operation: Probably from the 15th June 1931. For a week or more?
NOTES: To quote from the excellent book Cornwall Aviation Company by Ted Chapman published in 1979, after displaying at HANHAM near Bristol; "From Hanham the Circus moved on to Taunton. Here the weather was kinder and hundreds of people were attracted to the flying field each evening."
"On the first Saturday no less than 2,000 paid sixpence each for admission. One of the most popular acts consisted of a criminal being chased by police and both being flour-bombed from an aeroplane."
TAUNTON: Temporary aerodrome
Operated by: Alan Cobham’s National Aviation Day UK Display Tour
Location: Musgrove Farm, Wellington Road, WSW of Taunton town centre
Period of operation: 24th August 1932
NOTES: Was this site also the venue when Cobham’s 1934 Tour visited Taunton and displayed on the 12th August?
TAUNTON: Military airstrip
Military user: US Army Air Corps?
Location: ?
Period of operation: 1942 to 1945 only?
TAUNTON - POLO FIELD: Private airstrip
Location: In/near Taunton it seems, presumably on a polo field that may or may not have been in use? Does anybody know more?
NOTES: Here again another intriguing situation brought about by a listing in the P B Enterprises (Aero) publication of 1977. According to their researches two aircraft were based here in the mid 1970s. The Auster 6A G-ARGI registered to Mr M J Kirk and the Morane Saulnier M.S.892A Rallye Commodore 150 G-AYET of Briar Hose & Coupling Co Ltd.
Michael T Holder
This comment was written on: 2020-05-18 22:22:15There was a military camp on the NE side of Norton Fitzwarren. In early 1941, the United States Army took over Norton Manor Camp as part of Operation Bolero which started in 1942. There appears to be some huts still left. Only light a/c could have operated from there. Musgrove Farm is to the south of the town - 51 00 38"N 003 06 58"W and Haydon Farm is to the SE of the town at 51 00 32"N 003 03 53"W. The photograph of the CAC was probably taken at the eastern end of one of the Musgrove Farm Fields were a line of deciduous trees are marked on the old Ordnance Survey (1900s) maps - just like the line in the background of the photo. Most farms had apple orchards in their immediate vicinity. The other site - the Greenway Road used by the Berkshire mob - is probably on the north side of the road where Taunton School now has sports grounds.
Michael Holder
This comment was written on: 2020-06-22 11:17:44Dick - I can confirm from local newspaper reports at the time - Sir Alan Cobham used Haydon Farm on his 7/8 May 1933 and 12 August 1934 visits. Obviously got a good deal from the farmer.
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