Chalgrove

[Dr Jekyll]

As far as I can make out this airfield is only used by Martin Baker for very occasional Meteor flights and for their own staff and visitors.

Given the shortage of GA capacity in the South East it seems odd that an airfield amost next to the M40 is so little used.

Is it that Martin Baker have to be very security conscious? Is there something else they use the airfield for that doesn't involve flying? Or is it too close to Benson to have much activity?

[chevvron]

One word answer - NIMBY. The locals are very hostile.

[ConstantFlyer]

The noise from the M40 must be terrible.

[aviate1138]

Many years ago, when the Chalgrove peritrack was buzzing with Morris Minors and prototype 1100's [1960] my job was to service RAF Benson's ILS Outer Marker - a field away from Chalgrove.

The airfield then was quite busy with Meteor and Twin seat Hunters and a North American F-100 Super Sabre. Plenty of noise and few NIMBYs then I guess.
Back at Benson in the Glideslope hut one could often hear the RT crackle and a Chalgrove bound aircraft would request a high speed pass down the appropriate runway and shortly afterwards [approval usually given and the faces could be seen peering out of the Tower] and [for me] the best sound was the real Blue Note of a Meteor going flat out at about 500 feet. The Hunter was quicker but the note not quite as pure. Never saw the F-100 in the air over Benson.
Historic thread drift OFF.

Good luck with the NIMBY knackering.

[Old Photo.Fanatic]

This is what its all about!!
A small selection from a large number of photos. I took on a visit to Chalgrove in June 2009.
Long may the action continue.


http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt200/phredd10/Chalgrove%202/1Charlgrove4thJune2009TerryBurke.jpg


http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt200/phredd10/Chalgrove%202/DSC_0076copy2.jpg


http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt200/phredd10/Chalgrove%202/DSC_0089copy3.jpg


http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt200/phredd10/Chalgrove%202/DSC_0090copy.jpg


http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt200/phredd10/Chalgrove%202/17Charlgrove4thJune2009TerryBurke.jpg


OPF

[D120A]

Don'tcha just love the rocket plume scorch marks behind the rear cockpit?

While I'm here, R.I.P. my friend Benny Lynch, Martin-Baker's long serving test ejectee. That gentleman saved the lives of so many of my colleagues.

[N707ZS]

How many test do they perform with the Meteor over a year?