Wikiposts
Search
Aviation History and Nostalgia Whether working in aviation, retired, wannabee or just plain fascinated this forum welcomes all with a love of flight.

Elvington Aerodrome

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 29th Sep 2011, 10:29
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Australia
Age: 58
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 4 Posts
Elvington Aerodrome

After WW2 what was the main role for Elvington aerodrome?

When did it go back to a single runway?

Is it still used today apart from the Yorkshire Air Museum?
CharlieLimaX-Ray is offline  
Old 29th Sep 2011, 10:47
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Witten
Age: 73
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
...just to start with...
"After the war Elvington was rebuilt as a United States Air Force base for Supreme Allied Commander Europe’s massive B-47 aircraft of the nuclear force that did not, in the event, deploy."
Elvington Airfield History
wieesso is offline  
Old 29th Sep 2011, 11:53
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Sneaking up on the Runway and leaping out to grab it unawares
Age: 61
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
massive B-47 aircraft
Elvington was enlarged into a single (10,000ft) runway airfield in 1952 by the USAF for the deployment of the B36 Peacemaker (the B47 didn't go operational until 1953). However, owing to obsolescence, the aircraft was never deployed there and the USAF pulled out in 1958.

It was used by Blackburn to test the Buccaneer as well as later being used as a Relief Landing Ground for Flying Training. There are claims that it was only used by the FTSs at Church Fenton and Linton on Ouse, but it was also used by the METS Jetstreams operating out of Finningley (I did several trips to/from Elvington whilst going through METS).

From 1970 onwards it was used on an opportunity basis for car 'Speed Events'.

The airfield was closed in 1992 and sold by the MoD in 1999.
ExAscoteer is offline  
Old 29th Sep 2011, 20:24
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: South East.
Posts: 874
Received 9 Likes on 6 Posts
Elvington

Did a lot of my Vampire solo circuit bashing there in 1962.
I was then a Royal Navy student at 1 FTS, RAF Linton on Ouse, before further going on to RNAS Lossiemouth for swept-wing conversion.

I also remember going to a couple of Formula 3 clubman races there in the Summer of 1962.

This April actually saw a return flight, for the first time since those days, when I took some friends in a Piper Arrow to visit the marvellous Museum. Still a huge runway !
Sleeve Wing is offline  
Old 30th Sep 2011, 08:53
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: York, UK
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Many fond memories of watching what seemed like a constant stream of Jet Provosts do touch & go's there in my youth (in hindsight probably just a few aircraft doing circuits). Sadly now the airfield is having problems with local NIMBY-types complaining about noise, compared to the good old JP the sounds emanating from the motorsport events held there are a mere whisper!
Chris_H81 is offline  
Old 30th Sep 2011, 14:15
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Isle of Man
Age: 73
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Noise - oh, I don't know about that. Must have been Summer 1971 (can't check log book at the moment), Yorkshire UAS Chipmunk Navex from Church Fenton. Bimbling along nicely at 2,000 feet and about 2 miles South of Elvington when we (instructor I** H*****) and self heard this thunderous roar above the sound of the engine and through the helmet - so ... it was LOUD!. Instruments all OK and nothing falling off the aeroplane, looked left and down to see something long and very thin hurtling down the Elvington runway with what looked like reheat. I** remembered that a potential Land Speed Record car was doing promotional/fund raising demo runs that weekend. The noise at ground-level must have been incredible!
DeepestSouth is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.