Old airfields near Watford
Pilot of the Airwaves
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No one mentioned Denham, where United Biscuits used to keep their King Air
(was flown circa 22 years ago by someone called Dave Ward). The chopper was based there for the Bond film flying around London and the flying wheelchair stunt. Saw the chair set up, it was slung under the Jet Ranger, then the editors/special effects guys got to work to make it all look real. Pilot was an American, who was sadly killed a little while later on a stunt back in the States.
It was also here that the Blenheim, after its first rebuild, did a touch and didn't go, ending up in the trees at an air show. Used to keep helicopters that I repossessed there.
Also used to keep some repossessed light planes and plant at Elstree and knew Spencer Flack, who looked after them for my then employer.
Bovingdon is now partly built on as HM Prison, The Mount and there is a large Saturday market on part of the remaining runways.
Leavsden is now a film studio, where one of the Bond films was shot and I think the Harry Potter films.
(was flown circa 22 years ago by someone called Dave Ward). The chopper was based there for the Bond film flying around London and the flying wheelchair stunt. Saw the chair set up, it was slung under the Jet Ranger, then the editors/special effects guys got to work to make it all look real. Pilot was an American, who was sadly killed a little while later on a stunt back in the States.
It was also here that the Blenheim, after its first rebuild, did a touch and didn't go, ending up in the trees at an air show. Used to keep helicopters that I repossessed there.
Also used to keep some repossessed light planes and plant at Elstree and knew Spencer Flack, who looked after them for my then employer.
Bovingdon is now partly built on as HM Prison, The Mount and there is a large Saturday market on part of the remaining runways.
Leavsden is now a film studio, where one of the Bond films was shot and I think the Harry Potter films.
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Back in 1958 or 59, I made a marathon one day cycle trip from Ilford, which took in Stapleford, Stansted, Panshanger, Radlett, Hatfield and ended at Luton.
I remember at Panshanger there was an old shed which had a large quantity of old charts scattered about, which my friends and I helped ourselves to, believing them to be remnants from WWII. I seem to recall there was not much activity, but round the back of the airfield there was a blister type hangar with a crop spraying Chipmunk conversion G-APOS outside, which was convenient for photography.
At Radlett, we managed to somehow get down the side of the airfield, where through the fence we were able to photograph a Halifax, which although the undercarriage was lowered appeared to be supported on trestles. Strangely it had one large single fin instead of the two normal with a Halifax. I believe I read something about this aircraft somewhere but cannot recall now. Apart from that the airfield was deserted.
Nothing on view at Hatfield and by the time we got to Luton it was too late for anything but to mount up and cycle home. I recall we did not see an aircraft at Luton either!!
Those were the days.
Cheers
Southender
I remember at Panshanger there was an old shed which had a large quantity of old charts scattered about, which my friends and I helped ourselves to, believing them to be remnants from WWII. I seem to recall there was not much activity, but round the back of the airfield there was a blister type hangar with a crop spraying Chipmunk conversion G-APOS outside, which was convenient for photography.
At Radlett, we managed to somehow get down the side of the airfield, where through the fence we were able to photograph a Halifax, which although the undercarriage was lowered appeared to be supported on trestles. Strangely it had one large single fin instead of the two normal with a Halifax. I believe I read something about this aircraft somewhere but cannot recall now. Apart from that the airfield was deserted.
Nothing on view at Hatfield and by the time we got to Luton it was too late for anything but to mount up and cycle home. I recall we did not see an aircraft at Luton either!!
Those were the days.
Cheers
Southender
The traction engine film shot at Radlett was 'The Iron Maiden' and featured a Burrell (I think) showmans engine in the title role. If you ever have chance to drive one, do; it's fantastic!
I thought Radlett was used for assembly of the first of the Grumman AAX light aircraft to arrive in this country (post closure) the aircraft being shipped across from the US in pieces.
I thought Radlett was used for assembly of the first of the Grumman AAX light aircraft to arrive in this country (post closure) the aircraft being shipped across from the US in pieces.
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Originally Posted by Fokkerwokker
Would you be referring to the hangar on the south side filling up with a number of Beagle Pups? I delivered most of them fresh out of the factory at Shoreham to Radlett. One of my students at Elstree bought them of the receiver (Cork?) who was, I think, the same receiver for HP? A deal was done to park them at Radlett til they sold; as I recollect.
It was quite odd landing there and pushing them into the now huge empty hangar as I had worked there for a while as a Flight Test Eng on the Jetstream project.
It was quite odd landing there and pushing them into the now huge empty hangar as I had worked there for a while as a Flight Test Eng on the Jetstream project.
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5 April 1980. Elstree to Leavesden. 8 minutes. Sort of down the A41 Watford by-pass, in the back seat of Spencer Flack's Seafury... and we were temporarily unsure of our position. Happy days.
PeterA
PeterA
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Originally Posted by Mark22
5 April 1980. Elstree to Leavesden. 8 minutes. Sort of down the A41 Watford by-pass, in the back seat of Spencer Flack's Seafury... and we were temporarily unsure of our position. Happy days.
PeterA
PeterA
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Don't forget Hendon.
Only a little south of Elstree. I seem to remember a PPL 'unsure of his position' landing there in (I think) 1965 after it was closed. Got into a spot of bother for this and also because he was inside the zone!
WATford 279 was a very useful marker for Elstree and GARston VOR (112.3) was situated on Leavsden airfield in those days. Now replaced by BOVingdon of course.
Putting a DH125 into Leavsden was VERY exciting indeed in the mid sixties!!!
Anybody remember the Elstree Air Display of 1967 when the Red Arrows managed a display there and a Lightning shook most of the teeth in Watford with a low and very fast run? Neil Williams managed to display one of the replicas (Bristol Boxkite, I think) which had been constructed for and used in Those Magnificent Men.....
Only a little south of Elstree. I seem to remember a PPL 'unsure of his position' landing there in (I think) 1965 after it was closed. Got into a spot of bother for this and also because he was inside the zone!
WATford 279 was a very useful marker for Elstree and GARston VOR (112.3) was situated on Leavsden airfield in those days. Now replaced by BOVingdon of course.
Putting a DH125 into Leavsden was VERY exciting indeed in the mid sixties!!!
Anybody remember the Elstree Air Display of 1967 when the Red Arrows managed a display there and a Lightning shook most of the teeth in Watford with a low and very fast run? Neil Williams managed to display one of the replicas (Bristol Boxkite, I think) which had been constructed for and used in Those Magnificent Men.....
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http://www.us.imdb.com/title/tt0056105/
the iron maiden.
film, starring micheal craig and alan hale jnr.
aircraft designer with a passion for traction engines, falls in love etc.. etc..
Genevieve with steam engines basically.
the iron maiden.
film, starring micheal craig and alan hale jnr.
aircraft designer with a passion for traction engines, falls in love etc.. etc..
Genevieve with steam engines basically.
Originally Posted by IB4138
No one mentioned Denham, where United Biscuits used to keep their King Air
(was flown circa 22 years ago by someone called Dave Ward).
(was flown circa 22 years ago by someone called Dave Ward).
Pilot of the Airwaves
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spekesoftly
I am also Dave Ward, but a radio presenter.
Dave the pilot and I both used to drink in the Jolly Farmer, Chalfont St Peter. People who phoned the pub for either of us invariably got to speak to the wrong one!
Great blokeas you say, wonder where he is now?
I am also Dave Ward, but a radio presenter.
Dave the pilot and I both used to drink in the Jolly Farmer, Chalfont St Peter. People who phoned the pub for either of us invariably got to speak to the wrong one!
Great blokeas you say, wonder where he is now?
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[B]Southender[B], the Halifax at Radlett was apparently retained by H-P for trialling antenna installations and was apparently scrapped in 1962. If only someone had saved it!!
[B]oscarh[B], I'm sue that I could find out about the incident with the Cherokee at Hendon if you like. Seem to remember that this happened [I]after[I]the arrival of the Beverley.
[B]oscarh[B], I'm sue that I could find out about the incident with the Cherokee at Hendon if you like. Seem to remember that this happened [I]after[I]the arrival of the Beverley.
IB4138,
Although I must have spoken to DW many times over the airwaves, I believe I only met him in person once. On that occasion he had 'charmed' the Airport Director (another top bloke) in to temporarily suspending snow clearance, to allow his Be200 to land, and drop off some senior biscuit people! In the photo below, Dave is just visible next to the guy with his back to the camera.
Although I must have spoken to DW many times over the airwaves, I believe I only met him in person once. On that occasion he had 'charmed' the Airport Director (another top bloke) in to temporarily suspending snow clearance, to allow his Be200 to land, and drop off some senior biscuit people! In the photo below, Dave is just visible next to the guy with his back to the camera.
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Airfield Memories
Originally Posted by airborne_artist
I did my first solo, and all my solo circuits, at Leavesden in August of 1977 in a C-150 from Luton Flying Club. I had an RAF flying scholarship.
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Originally Posted by southender
At Radlett, we managed to somehow get down the side of the airfield, where through the fence we were able to photograph a Halifax, which although the undercarriage was lowered appeared to be supported on trestles. Strangely it had one large single fin instead of the two normal with a Halifax. I believe I read something about this aircraft somewhere but cannot recall now.
PeterA
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Leavsden is now a film studio
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I think you can just about still see those large white letters on the last but one photo from this link.
What happened to Spencer Flack and his Sea Fury?
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Coming back from an airshow somewhere up north in August 1981 or 82 he suffered engine problems and nearly made it into Waddington - nearly was a ploughed field just short of the runway, which did for the Fury and almost did for Spencer too - if I recall he was quite badly injured and was lucky to have survived.
Although he still competed in air racing in a Baron and also owned a Mustang for a few years, he abandoned flying vintage aeroplanes after the prang in favour of driving vintage racing cars; ironic really as he very sadly died a few years ago in a fatal car crash whilst racing in Austria. One of the fathers of the UK Warbird movement...
Although he still competed in air racing in a Baron and also owned a Mustang for a few years, he abandoned flying vintage aeroplanes after the prang in favour of driving vintage racing cars; ironic really as he very sadly died a few years ago in a fatal car crash whilst racing in Austria. One of the fathers of the UK Warbird movement...