Thakeham
THAKEHAM: Military Landing Ground, later civil temporary aerodrome
Note: These three pictures were obtained from my Google Earth © derived database.
Military user: Day and night Landing Ground
WW1: Royal Flying Corps (Possibly RAF at the end?)
78 Sqdn (Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2 types)
Note: This squadron was based at TELSCOMBE CLIFFS, east of Brighton
Location: Just E of the B2139, just S of RAF COOLHAM in WW2, about 2nm NNE of Thakeham village and roughly 3.5nm SE of Billingshurst town centre
Period of operation: WW1 1917/18 Civil: 1930s
NOTES: In the 1930s this site was used by Sir Alan Cobham's National Air Day tours in three occassions. By the No.1 Tour on the 19th May 1933, on the 2nd July 1934 and by the No.1 Tour on the 5th July 1935. It also appears the British Empire Air Day tour displayed here, possibly on the 26th June 1936.
The address for the Cobham visits was quite specific - Sincox Lane.
We have Mr David Elliott to thank for most of this information. He contacted me in March 2022.
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