Tiln Lane
TILN LANE: Temporary aerodrome
It was this picture, from a postcard kindly provided by Mike Charlton, of the Airco DH.6 G-EARR, (ex B3067), that started this quest by Mike Holder, (both Mike's being great friends of this 'Guide'). I had it posted in my article, "Sites to be identified". Mike Holder had found another picture of G-EARR, (see below), and coupled with my short listing of TILN LANE, (RETFORD), which listed a visit by the Berkshire Aviation Company in 1921, decided to delve further.
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Note: The third item, the picture of G-EARR, was obtained from the Nottinghamshire Community History web-site. The fourth item was published in the Retford and Worksop Herald and North Notts Advertiser on the 1st March 1921.
Note: The sixth item was published in the Sheffield Independent on the 24th February 1921. The local area view is from my Google Earth © derived database.
Operated by: Berkshire Aviation Company and also, Mr C Hudson
Location: NNE of Retford town centre
Period of operation: 23rd February until the 5th March 1921
NOTES: Mike Holder would be the first to claim that this location, as given, is very much a process of elimination on his part, given the available evidence. It seems certain that the Berkshire Aviation Company used this location, but only a guess that the pictures of G-EARR were taken here.
The Airco DH.6 G-EARR, was, according to official records withdrawn-from-use on the 27th May 1921. So far I can find no evidence that Mr Hudson was involved with the Berkshire Aviation Company, so presumably this was a seperate visit. The idea of offering joy-rides around the country was very popular shortly after WW1.
Regarding the Berkshire Aviation Company, the newspaper reports state they used an Avro three-seater type. This would have been an Avro 504K, much favoured as a display and joy-ride machine during the inter-war period. Indeed, both the 504K and 504N, were quickly and cheaply converted into three-seaters by the Avro company. I have found two examples operated by the Berkshire Aviation Company during this short time frame, these being G-EAKX (ex H2600) and G-EASF (ex D5858). But....have no idea if these two were being operated here?
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