West Mains Farm
Note: Up until recently I had this opening comment: "This map only shows the position of Falkirk within the UK. A search for 'West Mains Farm' revealed an utter quagmire of disparate information, none of which seemed to suit. If anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be most welcome."
Then, in October 2020, Mike Holder came to the rescue - see below:
WEST MAINS FARM: Temporary aerodrome (Aka FALKIRK)
Note: The first five pictures and maps were kindly provided by Mr Michael T Holder. I added the Google Earth © area view.
Operated by: Sir Alan Cobham’s 1932 National Aviation Day UK Display Tour
Location: West Mains Farm, Grangemouth Road, NE of Falkirk
Period of operation: 19th September 1932
NOTES: It is rather interesting, at least to me, to find that looking at modern maps we might well wonder why this site was listed as Falkirk, rather than Grangemouth. But of course, a lot has changed since the early 1930s. Mike Holder, who is a great friend of this 'Guide' has found an article published in the Falkirk Herald on the 17th September 1932, (sourced from the British Newspaper Archive) - most of which I shall copy as it reveals so much about not only this venue but also Cobham's 1932 Tour in general.
AVIATION DISPLAY
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Sir Alan Chobham and Aerial Fleet for Falkirk
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"Sir Alan Cobham , K.B.E., A.F.C., the celebrated British aviator, who is at present touring Scotland with his fleet of twenty aircraft, will visit Falkirk on Monday first, September 19. Sir Alan, by staging an elaborate aviation display in every important town in Great Britain, hopes to accomplish a great deal for British aviation and its development, and to stimulate air-mindedness in the country."
"The demonstration for the Falkirk area will be held in a field at Westmains Farm, on the Grangemouth Road, and some indication of the size of this travelling aerial entertainment can be gauged from the fact that a staff of over 70 is employed, and that , in addition to the twenty modern aircraft and properties, a fleet of thirty motor cars is required."
Today we would use the term motor vehicles, as the majority were commercial vehicles with at least one petrol tanker. The problem being that with displays mostly be given at different locations every day, the two road teams needed to 'leap-frog' each other and start setting up, which included putting up signs to the venue. Cobham was a workaholic the likes of which have rarely been seen before or since.
The Tour started on April the 12th and went through to the 16th October with no rest days! No allowances being made for bad weather, illness or other complications. In fact, it appears, only 18 events were two-day affairs, and no doubt Cobham thought these allowed enough of break, even though the pilots, mechanics and most of the ground crew were expected to do a full days work - which - if enough custom for pleasure flights was around, continued after dark. It appears the petrol tanker was employed to light up the landing area as that had the most powerful headlights.
"Sir Alan, who will fly from Glasgow on Monday morning will be accorded a civic reception on landing at the flying field. Municipal dignitaries from Falkirk and all the burghs in the eastern area of Stirlingshire and the whole of Linlithgowershire have been invited to attend the reception. Following the reception the distinguished aviator is being entertained to luncheon in Falkirk."
What we need to remember is that far from sitting back to then oversee the subsequent flying proceedings, Cobham would invariably be flying during the joy-riding periods, typically with an Avro 504. Many of which, after WW1 had been modified to carry two passengers in the rear cockpit.
"A 'matinee' display will be given at 2.35, while there will be another demonstration from 5.30 to dusk."
This is not correct of course. After the later flying display had ended, pleasure flights commenced, and, as already pointed out, could often continue after dark.
"It is Sir Alan Cobham's object to demonstrate the remarkable strides that are being made in every branch of civil flying. Flight Lieut. Longmore, the famous gliding pilot, carries passengers for flights in a two-seater glider, and performs the remarkable feat of looping a glider after being towed to a height of 500 feet. Mr Longmore is the only man to carry out this wonderful exhibition, and he does it every day."
"Amongst the distinguished pilots accompanying Sir Alan Cobham is Capt. Rawson, the pioneer and first test pilot of the autogiro, who flies this amazing machine in a manner that no other pilot can equal. Another pilot whose name is becoming a household word is Flying Officer C.F. Turner Hughes, whose demonstrations of inverted flying and advanced aerobatics are the most masterly yet witnessed. Mr Turner Hughes leads a formation of three Moths which give a magnificent exhibition of stunting in formation, and to add a touch of light relief Mr Turner Hughes literally waltzes and fox trots in the air to the strains of music broadcast from the loud-speaker coach."
Needless to say, the very idea of three DH60 Moths performing formation aerobatics today, leaves us utterly bemused. The remaining examples being treated with astonishing 'TLC' by their owners.
LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST
"A recent addition to the machines available for passenger flights is the latest Fox Moth, an example of the type which won the King's Cup air race at a speed of 130 miles an hour. The programme of twenty events cannot fail both to instruct and to thrill the beholder."
Without any doubt these events, of which the Cobham Tours were by far in a class of their own, heralded a brief era from 1931 to 1937 the likes of which will never be seen again. It really is a most fascinating period. However, we must certainly also remember that, after the Cobham 1932 Tour ended on the 16th October 1932 at CHINGFORD north London, with 174 venues in its itinerary - (Did they make them all?) - on the 23rd November the Cobham team started a Tour in South Africa which ran until the 17th February 1933, visiting 68 venues.
Then, can you believe, Cobham started two Tours of the U.K in 1933. The No.1 Tour starting on the 14th April at Central Park, Dagenham in east London, and the No.2 Tour on the same day at Holt Farm, Southend. Just think about it - no computers, no e-mail, often dodgy telephone connectivty at best, and yet all this was achieved. This time with 301 venues due to be visited - again with barely a break throughout for those involved. It seems incredible today that the safety record was so good.
Michael T Holder
This comment was written on: 2020-05-27 22:54:37From the Falkirk herald – Saturday 17 September 1932 – Sir Alan Cobham will visit Falkirk on 19 September 1932. The demonstration will take place in a field at West Mains Farm – 56 00 48”N 003 45 17”W – on the Grangemouth Road. Over 70 staff are employed and 20 modern aircraft will be used.
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