Chalgrove
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 556
Likes: 8
From: London UK
Chalgrove
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?
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?
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 0
From: Surrey Hills
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.
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.
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
From: North Cambs.
A few Photos from 2009
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.
OPF
A small selection from a large number of photos. I took on a visit to Chalgrove in June 2009.
Long may the action continue.
OPF
Last edited by Old Photo.Fanatic; 27th September 2010 at 23:41.
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 372
Likes: 7
From: Surrey
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.
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.
