Wellesbourne Mountford
WELLESBOURNE see WALTON HALL HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB
WELLESBOURNE MOUNTFORD: Military aerodrome later civil aerodrome
(also known as WELLESBOURNE AIRPORT)
Military users: WW2: RAF Bomber Command 91 Group
22 OTU (Vickers Wellingtons)
AFTS
Post 1945: RAF School of Photography
Operated by: 1980s to 2000: Radarmoor Ltd (Or perhaps they are the owners?) Once source states that South Warwickshire Flying School has been operating the airfield since 1982
Flying club/schools: Post 1945: Avon Flying School, On-Track Aviation, Pilot Flight Training, South Warwickshire Flying School, Wellesbourne Aviation
Maintenance: 2001: Wellesbourne Aircraft Maintenance
Location: S of B4086, W of A429, SW of Wellesbourne, 4nm E of Stratford on Avon
Period of operation: Military: 1941 to 1954 Civil: 1981 to -
Note: These maps are reproduced with the kind permission of Pooleys Flight Equipment Ltd. Copyright Robert Pooley 2014.
Runways: WW2: 18/36 1006x46 hard 05/23 1280x46 hard
11/29 1006x46 hard
1993: 18/36 912x23 hard 05/23 598x18 hard
Note: In 1993 there was a grass landing area of unspecifed size on the west side and roughly parallel to runway 18/36
2000: 18/36 912x23 hard 05/23 589x18 hard
NOTES: In 1941 No.22 OTU flying Vickers Wellingtons were based here with thirty-five taking part in the first 1000 bomber raid in May 1942. By September 1942 over 80 Wellingtons were based here making it one of the busiest military airfields in the UK. In 1945 OTU training ceased.
Also in 1945 No.3 Glider Training Course arrived with Miles Master and Hotspur gliders, working with GAYDON. But what on earth was this all about? WW2 had ended and any prospects for the future wars the UK was intent on getting invloved with and did, rendered massed glider invasions a thing of the past. Nevertheless it appears the military were still intent on these methods, until ceasing these activities in 1947.
The RAF School of Photography arrived in 1948 and stayed until 1964.
From 1950 to 1954 No.9 AFTS using Airspeed Oxfords were based here for training purposes for National Service pilots. Then military flying ceased.
SOMETHING TO BE EXPLAINED?
It appears that in 1981 the aerodrome was re-opened by the Duke of Edinburgh for civil use. But, why was it such a 'high profle' event?
THE ARRIVAL OF A VULCAN
On the 11th February 1984 the Avro Vulcan XM655 was flown in. Apparently the first ex-RAF Vulcan to pass into private ownership. The arrival can be veiwed on 'You Tube'. A small air museum has been established here for several years -see my 'Article' on museums etc. It appears that since the Vulcan arrived, a fast taxy event has been held for many years, but, does this still take place?
WELLESBOURNE PICTURES
PERSONAL MEMORIES
I have flown into WELLESBOURNE MOUNTFORD on three occassions. The first time to take a break, (more an excuse to visit really), on an aerial tour of the Cotswolds with my wife Denise and son Ben in the Cessna 172 G-WACL out of WYCOMBE AIR PARK.
The second was a visit on the 10th May 1992 with my flying partner Guy Browning - his first visit.
Last but not least, on the 28th May 1995, Guy and I landed here with two friends who had never flown in a light aircraft - in the Cessna 172 G-BGIU from TOP FARM. The original plan was to fly to South Wales, but, as so often happens in our green and septic Isle, the weather quickly deteriorated and we diverted into SHOBDON for a night stop.
SOME EXTRA INFORMATION
In October 2021 I was kindly contacted by Mr Tim Griffiths who had this to tell us:
"Firstly, Wellesbourne is a very important GA site that is still very active. Indeed, I have just done a stint as a part time assistant at Warwickshire Aviation, the full certified maintenance company on site. Sadly it was just a seasonal position but it was an opportunity not to be missed."
"There is a very good website, http://wellesbourneairfield.com/ ".
"This website is about the campaign to save the airfield which at the moment appears to be working, http://www.wellesbournematters.com/index.php."
"The little field at Warwick still had the remains of the canvas hangar from WW2 up until about 2010. Just the rust frame. It was a satellite for Coventry and Ansty with I believe Hurricanes."
"Don't forget Harbury Lane which was the site of the original Leamington Spa private airfield of which there is a book about. The best information about Warwickshire's aviation would be from this gentleman, Alfred J Jenks via alfredjenks1944@gmail.com He is a local expert and has self published a very large book called Warwickshire Aviation and has in the past produced a smaller book of a similar title."
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