The Old Aerodrome Melton Mowbray
THE OLD AERODROME: Previously WW1 military aerodrome SCALFORD
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Note: The newspaper article was published in the Leicester Chronicle on the 13th May 1933.
Note: This newspaper article was published in the Grantham Journal on the 3rd June 1933.
Note: The advert was placed in the Leicester Chronicle on the 6th May 1933.
Location: Nottingham Road, roughly 2nm NW of Melton Mowbray town centre near the A606
Period of operation: 1933, originally military from 1916 to 1918
NOTES: Venue, (12th May 1933), for Sir Alan Cobham’s No.1 Tour of the UK. Venue, (30th May 1933), for the British Hospitals Air Pageant.
We have to wonder today, given that the much more famous Cobham display had occurred just a couple of weeks before, just how much interest the BHAP display aroused? Perhaps they had a very good turnout? They certainly had a good team, and, despite the economic depression occurring, as always in such circumstances, people do always relish any form of relief and entertainment.
It is interesting to note that in 'YESTERDAY IN MELTON MOWBRAY: THE LANDING GROUNDS (johnmcquaid.co.uk)', he tells us; "There circulated many tales of the air displays which took place in the 1930s at the Old Aerodrome, when balloon jumps, aerobatics and paid-for flights for the brave were accompanied by beer, ox roasts and all the usual fun of the fair. Indeed, many of the world famous travelling 'circus' pilots attended and attracted great crowds to the area."
So, clearly not just the Sir Alan Cobham's display in 1933? This said, Sir Alan Cobham's 1932 National Aviation Day display took place at CHESTNUT FARM, (aka 42 ACRE), down the road, three miles away, on the 10th May. Trying to trace all the venues used by the 'Flying Circus' operators between the wars is an impossible task, but sometimes clues exist. For example, on the 30th May 1933, Melton Mowbray is given as having a display by the British Hospitals Air Pageant. Thanks to Mike Holder, (see article above), we can now confirm that the BHAP display was performed here.
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