Aston Down
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Aston Down
Being a son of the West Country, I grew up in the 60's early 70's watching the 'Reds' practising their hooliganism in the Gnats from Kemble, my school reports reflected those longing glances from classroom to (what seemed then), permanently azure skies. Comments such as "Would do far better if he concentrated more on what's happening within the classroom that without", but I digress.
Often passing Aston Down in those days, I have vague memories of seeing 'mothballed' aircraft parked on the western apron, not a clue what they were but was hoping that perhaps someone can shed some light.
It could be the onset of Alzheimer's or some other occasion that I'm confusing with, it's just the memory seems so vivid.
JS
Often passing Aston Down in those days, I have vague memories of seeing 'mothballed' aircraft parked on the western apron, not a clue what they were but was hoping that perhaps someone can shed some light.
It could be the onset of Alzheimer's or some other occasion that I'm confusing with, it's just the memory seems so vivid.
JS
Last edited by jetslut; 21st Apr 2015 at 16:19. Reason: predictive text typo
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More info here Aston Down - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I'm a member of the Gliding Club there and did some research at English Heritage archives in Swindon last summer. The UK aerial survey photos of the late 40s show many many aircraft parked up and being broken up after the war, and older members of the Club tell tales of the same. Walking in the locations it doesn't take long to come across recognisable if mangled small bits of aircraft.
I did post a couple of the photos on the Clubs Facebook page if you manage to find it, copyright English Heritage though.
I did post a couple of the photos on the Clubs Facebook page if you manage to find it, copyright English Heritage though.
It was indeed an RLG for Hell-on-the-Hill!
When I was doing my basic flying training on the JP3 at The Towers, during one session my new B2 QFI announced; "OK, take me to Aston Down for some circuits!".
I'd never heard of the place before, so fished out my local area map to try and find it. "WTF are you doing?", queried my QFI. "Looking for Aston Down, Sir", was my reply. "Look - it's OVER THERE, you dimwit", he said, pointing at an aerodrome in the distance.
"But Sir, that's BARKSTON HEATH!"
"Err.....!"
When I was doing my basic flying training on the JP3 at The Towers, during one session my new B2 QFI announced; "OK, take me to Aston Down for some circuits!".
I'd never heard of the place before, so fished out my local area map to try and find it. "WTF are you doing?", queried my QFI. "Looking for Aston Down, Sir", was my reply. "Look - it's OVER THERE, you dimwit", he said, pointing at an aerodrome in the distance.
"But Sir, that's BARKSTON HEATH!"
"Err.....!"
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The May edition of Flypast has an article on the airworthy Tiffie rebuild and it says it was held in store at 20MU Aston Down in 47 until it was transferred to the Indian Airforce along with her sisters, May 48
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When I dropped my instructor off there in 1955 to collect a Vampire there was a row of what I think were Tempest IIs parked in the open with 'balloon fabric' covers over the engines. The hangars might have been interesting but I didn't even get the chance to shut down.
