Wallingford flying sites
WALLINGFORD see also CROWMARSH BATTLE FARM
WALLINGFORD see also RUSH COURT
WALLINGFORD see also WHITECROSS FARM
WALLINGFORD: Private Landing Ground (Aka OAKLEY WOODS)
Note: In February 2018 Capt. Roger Guiver very kindly sent an image to show exactly where the Landing Ground was situated. A bit later he sent me this copy of an 'A.A.' map.
Note: Whilst investigating the history of flying sites in the Wallingford area during 2020, Mike Holder who is a great friend of this 'Guide', kindly provided these maps and pictures.
Operated by: Most unusually it appears the Landing Ground operator was Mr J E Frost, who lived a long way away at Dunlow Lodge, Ashwell, HERTS.
Location: W of the Old Icknield Way and 2nm E of Wallingford town centre
Period of operation: 1930 to 1939?
Runway: It appears, according to the A.A. map that two 'runway' options existed:
N/S 410 grass SW/NE 685 grass
NOTES: Some time ago I made this comment: "It appears this Landing Ground was an AA (Automobile Association) approved Landing Ground but to date I cannot find a location for it." That was until Capt Roger Guiver came to the rescue.
Fuel was available from Atlanta Garage, Beggar’s Bush Hill which might provide a clue? Especially as it appears to be close to Benson which of course later became the site for an RAF aerodrome from 1939.
Transport, typically a taxi service, was available from W H Baker, Wallingford and a telephone was available “at the house of the controlling authority” some half a mile away. There was, in 1933, no hangarage available. The recommended hotel was the Lamb Hotel in Wallingford which closed in 1960.
With the development of road transport favouring the A.40, (and much later the M.40 motorway of course), Wallingford no longer became a staging post to Oxford. Today a delightful ‘backwater’ county town well worth a visit.
THE START OF THE AERODROME
Mike Holder discovered this article from the Berks and Oxon Advertiser, published on Friday 4th July 1930.
NEW WALLINGFORD AERODROME
_______________
INTERESTING DISPLAY AT OAKLEY WOODS
"A display, unique in the annals of the district, took place on Whit-Monday at the new Wallingford Aerodrome at Oakley Woods, (licensed, at present, by the Air Ministry for private use). The Aerodrome is situated on high ground above the valley, being two miles on the Henley road from Wallingford and about two from Benson, on the top of Beggars Bush Hill, along Icknield Way. It is interesting to note that 700 spectators actually paid for admission to witness the display. Although it was advertised that six or seven aircraft were expected to attend, unfortunately only three could turn up. However, it is hoped, next time, that a much better display with the cabin machine well to the fore, will be given."
Hmm - what could that "cabin machine" have been? One of several types at that time of course, but isn't it interesting that such a type could then be regarded as a 'Star Turn'. My guess, and it is just a guess, is that it could well have been an appearance of a de Havilland DH80A Puss Moth which first flew on the 9th September 1929. It might seem a tad hard today to remember just what a huge advance in private flying this type then was. Not only quite capable of flying half way round the world, (which at least one example did), the pilot could do this dressed in casual clothing, (if not flying too high of course), rather than trussed up in a flying suit complete with helmet and goggles.
"Altogether, the display of aerobatics by the three Havilland machines, (my note: de Havilland machines), from Messrs. 'Philips and Powis' School of Flying, Reading, were really excellent from a spectacular point view. Passenger flights were conducted throughout the afternoon and evening, and applications for flying trips were so numerous that it was only possible to comply with a small percentage owing to the three seater cabin machine being absent."
"Young and old clamoured for positions and waited patiently for their turn. Those who gave the display were Mr. W. Giddy, (Chief Instructor), Second Pilot H. Stisted and Mr. C. Powis (Managing Director). The last named expressed the opinion that the Oakley Woods Aerodrome is a most suitable site, being close to the Chilterns and commanding magnifiecent views. He added that a few years ago there were only service aerodromes in use, now there are over 100 privately owned commercial concerns throughout the country, which testifies to the advance and increased popularity of flying. It is also an interesting fact that there are 250 private owners running their own machines, whereas about four years ago there were only half-a-dozen of them."
My note: It is of course quite impossible to make a comparison with today. We have so many different types of aircraft ranging from balloons through microlights, gliders, and heicopters to executive jets. However, in 2020 the CAA had around 6700 privately owned aircraft on the British register.
"Mr. Frost, the proprietor of the Aerodrome wishes to thank all those who attended this display and gave their support. As such a large attendance was not anticipated, the catering was somewhat inadequate. Fuller arrangements, however, will be made for the next show and also as to the means of transport from Wallingford to the Aerodrome. The Mayor and Corporation have intimated their willingness to conduct an official opening at the next show and display, which will probably be arranged during the summer."
What a fabulous account, so full of detail for us today. Did the official opening and display happen? I rather think not.
At a later date Mike Holder found this advert:
WALLINGFORD
Wallingford Aerodrome and Premises TO LET
"Together with joy-riding business and Club. Furnished house adjacent. Near two main roads. Circle in white chalk. Petrol pump, hangar. (Licensed for Instructional purposes.) Apply. The Proprietor, Wallingford Aerodrome. Benson, Oxon."
Suggesting at least that the enterprise was not meeting expectations? But of course this was all taking place during the 'Great Depression', popularly called 'The Slump' which lasted from around 1930 to beyond 1936. Very generally it did not much affect the rich and privileged in the UK. For example, when the starving workers in the north-east decided to march on London in October 1936, the now famous 'Jarrow March', I wonder how many people today make the connection with, on the 3rd July 1936, the first of the Short Empire Class flying boats took to the air, offering a degree of luxury travel previously unheard of.
AN UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY
Mike Holder has also found proof that an air taxi service was set up here by Miss Dorothy Spicer and Miss Pauline Gower in the 1930s. Presumably moving across from their previous location at PENSHURST in KENT. I think this operation was probably still known as 'Air Trips'?
In those days these two ladies really were the exception to the rule. Female commercial pilots were virtually unheard of, but Pauline Gower held a 'B' License for commercial and passenger carrying. Dorothy Spicer had a Ground Engineers Certificate and the only other women I have found to have obtained this was Amy Johnson, (nee Mollison).
WALLINGFORD: Temporary aerodrome?
NOTES: Venue, 24th April 1933 for Alan Cobham’s No.1 Tour. But, did they use the AA approved Landing Ground listed above, or another venue?
Advice on this will be most welcome. In June 2020 I was kindly contacted by Mr Michael T Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide' and he had found the answer - see separate entry for RUSH COURT.
Ian
This comment was written on: 2017-05-22 11:32:27I have in front of me very old plane with pilot.cancelled --??Bourne/ Reading cds The message on the back lovely ride this morning arrived 5-6 a lovely camp 1/2mile from wallingford.On the front in the bottom left side E.Smith Cove.Is this cody?? Ian
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Ian, I would think this is certainly not Cody - but maybe others have a different idea? Best regards, Dick
Capt Roger Guiver
This comment was written on: 2017-09-02 14:08:30The Wallingford Landing Ground was right next to Oakley Wood recycling centre. If you give me an e-mail address I can send the map together with the google earth location.
Reply from Dick Flute:
Dear Roger, Many thanks. My e-mail address is: dick.flute@ukairfieldguide.net. Best regards, Dick
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