Theale
THEALE: Military aerodrome (also known as SHEFFIELD FARM)
Aerial view 2021
Note: This picture was obtained from Google Earth ©.
Military user: WW2: RAF Flying Training Command 50 Group
26 EFTS (DH Tiger Moths)
Location: SE of A4 & Theale, 5nm W of Reading
Period of operation: 1941 to 1948
Runways: WW2: N/S 768 grass NE/SW 768 grass
E/W 732 grass NW/SE 823 grass
NOTES: In late 1944 only 209 RAF personnel were listed as being on Station so I am a little bit surprised to discover THEALE actually closed in 1948 - or so one reliable record states.
Was there much if any post WW2 activity here? (See 'Comments' below.)
It appears that a Cessna 180 on floats was based here for a while, and could have been seen from the M4.
derek james
This comment was written on: 2017-09-25 11:15:57Yes, the airfield did exist post-war. I lived in nearby Tilehurst and my elder brother, who was in the ATC used to have gliding training there around about 1947-48, as I remember it on Kirby Kadet gliders.
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Derek, Many thanks, I shall keep this posted. Best regards, Dick
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