Wold Lodge
WOLD LODGE: Private airfield
Operated by: Mr Stuart Beatty
Location: W of the A510 Thrapston Road, N of Finedon, rougly 1.5nm SSW of junction 11 on the A14
Runways: 02/20 615 grass 10/28 375 grass
NOTES: I never cease to be amazed at the sheer variety of sources or stories which turn up hitherto unknown flying sites. Over the years the AIIB reports have proved to be a very rich mine of information but I doubt I’ve come across a more unlikely set of circumstances than this one.
It concerns the pilot of a Streak Shadow G-BUGM who was flying from SIBSON to SYWELL in July 2010 when his engine failed. With a southerly wind blowing he identified a suitable field and landed into wind. After an abrupt and very short landing roll the pilot discovered he’d ended up landing across the E/W runway! And this is how I first discovered WOLD LODGE airfield
A REMARKABLE COINCIDENCE PERHAPS?
In 2012 the partner of my very good friend James Roland (then a senior British Airways captain) was desperate to arrange a significant birthday treat; a flight in one of three classic types that he had expressed a wish to fly - and she was getting nowhere with the quest. She then asked if I could help.
Unabashed I set about ringing around various contacts and eventually I was introduced to Stuart Beaty who owns the lovely and immaculate DH83 Fox Moth G-ACEJ. Stuart, bless him, was very happy to oblige and a flight for the two of them was arranged in early October that year on a cold, overcast and somewhat blustery afternoon.
Perhaps needless to say, James couldn't actually fly the Fox Moth, but it didn't seem to matter. On clambering out James informed me that I had now ruined his future as a passenger, as the Fox Moth was most definitely the only way to fly!
Later, this aeroplane featured in the September 2014 edition of Light Aviation magazine.
A SELECTION OF PICTURES
Here is a selection of pictures I took of the Fox Moth at WOLD LODGE in October 2012.
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