Tholthorpe
THOLTHORPE: Military aerodrome later private airfield
Note: Both these pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Military user: RAF Bomber Command 6 RCAF Group
420, 431 & 434 (Royal Canadian Air Force) Sqdns (Handley Page Halifaxs)
Location: NE of Tholthorpe & E of Derrings villages, 11nm NW of York
Period of operation: Military: 1940 to 1945 Civil: 1980s only?
Runways: 10/28 1289x46 hard 05/23 1280x46 hard
16/34 1280x46 hard
NOTES: The history regarding 434 Sqdn at least is quite remarkable during WW2 in as much they seemed to stay put here during the entire time they operating Halifaxs; and the same applies when they moved to CROFT to fly Lancasters. It would now be very interesting to know if the operational side of RCAF squadrons was, (except at the highest level of RAF Bomber Command), in the hands of Canadians? Who quite rightly, if I am correct (?), considered continuously moving squadrons around, as the RAF did, was utter bollocks, degraded the war effort - and made no sense at all.
SPOTTERS NOTES
In 1977 four aircraft were listed as being based here: Jodel DR.250-160 G-ATTM, Jodel D.120 G-AVLY, Wassmer Jodel D.120 G-AXDX and Jodel D.117 G-AXZT. A ‘full house!’
Obviously a centre for those that loved Jodels. Regarding the Wassmer Jodel G-AXDX I happen to know something about this company which is/was based at Issoire aerodrome on the NE sector of the Massif-Centrale in the Auvergne region of France. I have had some truly wonderful flying exploits from this aerodrome, (wrote an article for FLYER magazine about some of them), and indeed, in August 1994 I flew down there in the PA-28 Warrior G-BTKT.
A QUESTION?
Note: Mr Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide', has asked me to take another look at this location, as a hangar has appeared at some time around 2016/17. Also, what certainly look like runway markings have been applied, these extending for about 250 metres on the eastern end of runway 09/27 just W of the hangar. In addition, the 2018 picture appears to show a windsock on top of the hangar.
If anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be most welcome.
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