CHRISTCHURCH BRANCH · Fischler’s Farman alongside Bournemouth Pier Gustav Hamel was a British aviator who learned to fly at the Blériot school in Pau. Louis Blériot himself commented

1

CHRISTCHURCH BRANCH

Dorset Aviation Past and Present 2

Contents

Contents

Introduction .............................................. 3

The Early Years and World War One ....... 4

The Inter-War Years .............................. 12

World War Two ..................................... 19

After World War Two ............................. 30

The Present Day ................................... 38

The Future ............................................. 49

Acknowledgements ............................... 50

Further Information ................................ 50

Top: Bournemouth Aviation Meeting 1910 (photo courtesy Mr J Barker & Mrs E Barker, Bournemouth)

Bottom: Dassault Falcon 20s operated by Cobham plc


Introduction

CHRISTCHURCH BRANCH

2016 marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Royal

Aeronautical Society, the world’s oldest professional institution

dedicated to furthering the art, science and engineering of

aeronautics and astronautics. The Society is unique in welcoming

all professionals working in aerospace, whether pilot or lawyer,

engineer or accountant. This gives it the authority to represent the

entire aerospace sector to the community at large.

Among many activities undertaken by the Society are providing

policy advice to government, the organisation of specialist

conferences, encouraging young people into aerospace and

running the National Aerospace Library.

The Society has a broader aim outside these professional

activities: to inform the general public of the importance of aviation

and space activities to the UK and the world at large. To this end,

it operates through local Branches in the UK and overseas.

These Branches, typically run by a mix of aerospace professionals

and enthusiasts, put on regular talks for the general public on a

wide range of aerospace topics, given by specialists in their field.

In Dorset, the Society is represented by Christchurch Branch,

which organises monthly evening talks at Bournemouth University

between September and April, and also organises occasional

visits for its members to aerospace locations of interest. Members

of the public are welcome to attend any or all of the talks free of

charge, although for a small annual subscription they can be a

Branch member and enjoy additional benefits.

To mark the Society’s 150th anniversary, Christchurch Branch

wishes to highlight the part Dorset has played and continues to

play in aerospace, by producing this guide to aviation in the

county. Whilst many locations no longer have any evidence of

what took place there, others do, and we hope this will both inform

you and encourage you to get out and about around our beautiful

county.

For more information about Christchurch Branch, please contact

our Branch Secretary at [email protected] For information

about the Royal Aeronautical Society as a whole, the website is

www.aerosociety.com

Mel Porter, Branch Chairman

May 2016

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.aerosociety.com


The Early Years and World War One (WW1)

The Early Years and World War One

Dorset is not an area well known for aviation pioneering. In fact, in

the years leading up to World War One, what local aviation activity

there was mainly occurred around Bournemouth, which was not at

that time in Dorset at all. Both Bournemouth and Christchurch were

part of Hampshire until 1974, but they are so important to the

development of aviation in the Dorset area that it would be wrong to

exclude them.

It was not until World War One that aviation really began to make its

mark across the county, mainly in support of defending the English

Channel. Dorset was also home to the first member of the Royal

Flying Corps to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

Early Flights ............................................. 5

The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls ............... 6

Flying displays and the first flying school.. 7

World War One ........................................ 8

WW1 Airship Operations ........................ 11



Dorset’s earliest involvement with aviation saw ballooning during the

late 1800s. At least two flights ended dramatically, with one, in 1881,

resulting in the loss of the MP for Malmesbury, Walter Powell.

A balloon called Saladin in which Powell was a passenger landed

heavily on the clifftop at Eype, near Bridport. The pilot was thrown

out and the balloon rose into the air again. It drifted out into the

English Channel with Powell still on board. Two years later it was

reported that wreckage of the balloon had been found in Spain, but

there was no sign of Powell.

Other early Dorset flyers were William McArdle, a Bournemouth

garage owner, and J Armstrong Drexel, an American. They met

whilst learning to fly near Paris in 1909. On returning to Bournemouth

they built a number of Bleriot-style monoplanes in 1910, giving a

flying display at Talbot Village over the Whitsun Bank Holiday.

Drexel flying his Bleriot

J Armstrong Drexel and William McArdle

The first powered flight in Britain, by Samuel Cody, took place on 16

October 1908, and flying came to Dorset within two years.

Ralph Channon of Dorchester experimented with a Wright-style

biplane during 1909/10, but he only managed a few short flights from

the slopes of Maiden Castle.

Early flights

Contemporary image showing Saladin drifting out to sea



In 1910, as part its centenary celebrations, Bournemouth staged an International Aviation Meeting

at Southbourne Aerodrome. This was one of the first such events in the country. Prize money

totalled £8,500, with the outright winner – Leon Morane from France – taking home £3,425. The

meeting attracted many well-known British aviators, including Samuel Cody, Claude Graham-

White, J T Moore-Brabazon and The Hon Charles Stewart Rolls.

The event is remembered principally for the fatal crash of Rolls on 12 July when his Wright Flyer

biplane broke up in mid-air, making him the first person to die in an air crash in Great Britain. As

well as being one of the founding partners of Rolls-Royce, he was the first person to fly across the

English Channel non-stop in both directions and was also a well-known balloonist. His death

caused great public mourning.

Part of the aerodrome later became the site of St Peter’s School, where there is a memorial to the

Rolls crash.

Rolls in flight

The Rolls memorial at St Peter’s School

Rolls ready to take off in his Wright biplane

The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls (1877 - 1910)



Henri Salmet first visited Bournemouth in

August 1912 in his Daily Mail sponsored

Bleriot biplane.

He returned in 1913, running into a tree on

landing. Undeterred, he came back that

December to fly Father Christmas into

Meyrick Park.

Farmland at Talbot Village was

Bournemouth’s first flying ground and in

November 1915 a flying school was

established there by the Bournemouth

Aviation Company. It was used to train

prospective Royal Flying Corps (RFC) pilots

and, although it was wartime, flights were

also available to the public at a cost of £3.

The school moved to nearby Ensbury Park

in 1917 and the site reverted to farming. In July 1912 a Mr Fischler demonstrated his

Farman waterplane from alongside

Bournemouth pier, giving a flight to the

Mayor and Town Clerk.

Fischler’s Farman alongside Bournemouth Pier

Gustav Hamel was a British aviator who

learned to fly at the Blériot school in Pau.

Louis Blériot himself commented that he

had never seen a pilot with such natural

ability.

Hamel flew the first official airmail in Great

Britain, between Hendon and Windsor in

1911. In the same year, he made the first

of 21 cross-channel flights. He gave a

number of public flying displays and during

a visit to Meyrick Park, Bournemouth, in

April 1914 he flew twenty-one loops.

Flying displays and the first flying school



Ensbury Park, then on the northern outskirts of Bournemouth, took

over from Talbot Woods at the beginning of 1917.

Although still a civilian flying school, the Bournemouth Aviation

Company continued to train pilots for the RFC and Royal Naval Air

Service, as well as Belgians and Canadians. It claimed to be the best

-equipped flying school outside London. Aircraft used included

Caudron, Curtiss JN-3s and Avro 504s.

On 1 April 1918 the Royal Air Force was formed and the site became

RAF Winton.

Caudron biplane trainer

In August 1916 a plane, flown by one of the instructors from Talbot

Village, flew low over Poole. He was giving a demonstration over the

town to raise funds for two of its hospitals. He landed at Poole Park

to give the public a close-up look at his plane.

The Admiralty established a shipyard in the Lake area of Hamworthy

in 1916. This was later expanded to accommodate seaplanes,

probably Short 184s, operating patrols over the English Channel.

Short 184

World War One



Portland

Portland was a major Royal Navy base

which, during the Naval Review of May

1912, saw a Short biplane take off from the

deck of HMS Hibernia, so paving the way for

naval aviation. A number of other flights

were made in connection with the Review,

operating from a site at nearby Lodmoor.

In September 1916 a flight of Short 184

seaplanes was based at Castletown,

Portland, to operate patrols over the English

Channel. The base and aircraft transferred

to the RAF on 1 April 1918, but disbanded in

June 1919.

Short S27 biplane on foredeck of HMS Hibernia Short 184 and seaplane ‘sheds’ at Castletown

Weymouth

The Daily Mail sponsored a race for

waterplanes at Weymouth in 1912,

probably to tie in with the Naval Review

held at Portland in May.

A field at Lodmoor was used by other

aircraft attending the Naval Review. It

remained in limited use during WW1 and

was subsequently listed as Weymouth’s

Aerodrome. It was little used, however,

and closed in 1922.

Two of the entrants to the Weymouth Race of May 1912

World War One (continued)



Chickerell

The Royal Navy established a base at

Chickerell, to the west of Weymouth, using

DH6s to operate patrols over the English

Channel in conjunction with the seaplanes

from Portland. The patrols ceased at the end

of the war.

The site continued to be used for occasional

visits by aircraft operating in conjunction with

the Navy at Portland.

DH6 as operated from Chickerell

Lieutenant William Rhodes-Moorhouse

VC, RFC

Rhodes-Moorhouse was an early British

aviator who flew the English Channel in

1912. His family moved to Parnham House

at Beaminster in 1913 and he joined the

Royal Flying Corps the following year.

On 26 April 1915, whilst attacking a railway

junction at Kortrijk, Belgium, he ran into

heavy small arms fire and was severely

wounded. While returning to the Allied lines,

he again encountered heavy ground fire and

was wounded twice more. He managed to

return with his aircraft and insisted on

making his report before

being taken to the

Casualty Clearing

Station. He died the

following day. For his

bravery he was awarded

the Victoria Cross – the

first to be given to an

airman. The event is

commemorated by a

memorial at the family

home.

Rhodes-Moorhouse in his RFC uniform

Bridport

Early in 1918 National War Bonds were

sold by the Government to raise funds.

The people of Bridport aimed to raise

£15,000 which, they were told, would

purchase six aircraft for the RAF. The

Bridport Aeroplane Bank was set up in

March and a total of £69,070 (over

£4million today) was raised - reportedly

enough to buy two squadrons.

World War One (continued)

Photo courtesy of Barrie Pictures

www.barriepictures.co.uk

http://www.barriepictures.co.uk



In 1915, to counter the threat of German submarines in the English Channel, the Royal Navy established a number of airship stations along the

south coast. To expand the coverage further, smaller outstations were added later, including some in Dorset. Normally two airships would be

based at each outstation.

Upton

Situated to the north of Poole, this was

another WW1 airship base.

Also hidden in woods, the site became

operational in 1917 with SSZ Class airships

scouring the English Channel for German

shipping.

The site closed at the end of the war and

now forms part of Upton Country Park.

Moreton

North-east of Warmwell, Moreton was

intended to be another airship base.

However, construction work had not been

completed by the end of the war and so the

site saw no airship activity.

SS Class airship as operated from Toller A later Coastal Star Class airship Crew accommodation on SSZ

Toller

This was the first of Dorset’s three WW1

airship bases.

Constructed within woodland to the west of

Toller Porcorum in 1916, it housed rather

primitive, non-rigid airships with the crew

seated in an open gondola underneath. Later

SSZ Class airships operated patrols from

there between Portland and Start Point,

Devon.

The base closed at the end of the war.

SSZ Class airship

WW1 Airship Operations


The Inter-War Years

The Inter-War Years

Most of the elements that we associate with aviation in Dorset today

started to appear during this period. Airports, air services and flying

clubs emerged, some only briefly, whilst occasional public spectacles

continued to be held. Sadly, seaplane services are no longer with us,

but Bournemouth produced the forerunner of the Air Cadet movement,

which remains an important organisation nationally.

Sir Alan Cobham’s visits to the area were eventually to lead to his

establishment of an important part of Dorset’s aerospace industry.

Before that, however, the overflight of the Graf Zeppelin was a

harbinger of the conflict to come.

Bournemouth’s First Airport .................... 13

Flying at Bournemouth ........................... 14

Flying at Christchurch ............................ 15

Around the County ................................. 16

Sir Alan Cobham .................................... 17

Bournemouth Young Airmen’s League ... 18


The Inter-War Years

With the return to peace, Ensbury Park briefly became Bournemouth’s first airport, with services from London by Handley Page 0/400s, which

were converted bombers. The service operated for only a few weeks, from 5 June to 18 August 1919.

The flying school continued and the site was used for a number of air races in the mid-1920s, attracting many well-known flyers. However, these

resulted in a number of serious accidents. The site was also used for horse racing from the spring of 1925.

Neither the flying school nor horse racing was successful in the longer term and by the end of 1930 the land had been sold for housing. Until

very recently, a reminder of the use of the land was the Horse and Jockey pub in Wimborne Road. However, even this link with the past has now

been lost, as the pub was renamed in 2015.

Air Race in progress over the Horse Race Course

Entrance to the airfield

Bournemouth’s First Airport

Handley Page 0/400


The Inter-War Years

Bournemouth Pier was the terminal for seaplane services operated by

Supermarine Aviation from Woolston, near Southampton. These

services ran for only a short time, from July to October 1919.

Supermarine Channels were used, and these also offered ‘Trips round

the Bay’ and flights to the Isle of Wight.

Another of Bournemouth’s early claims to a place in aviation history

was its hosting of the Schneider Trophy Race in September 1919.

Organised by the Royal Aero Club, teams from France, Italy and Great

Britain entered.

Dense fog caused every competitor to withdraw except the Italian

Guido Janello. Unfortunately, he flew an incorrect course and the race

was eventually declared void.

The British entry - a Supermarine Sea Lion

Supermarine Channel taking off

Flying at Bournemouth

Janello’s Savoia S13


The Inter-War Years

Flying at Christchurch in the late 1920s was undertaken from ‘Burry’s Field’, adjacent to

Mudeford Lane. Pleasure Flights were offered in Avro 504s for 5/- (25p). Visiting pilots were

advised to look out for cattle and haystacks on the airfield.

In 1930 Francis Fisher arrived to operate his Avro 504 from nearby Somerford Bridge. In due

course the two fields were combined to form Christchurch Airport, which opened in 1933.

In 1935, new owners changed the name to Bournemouth Airport. A number of small airlines

operated from there until the outbreak of war, with services to Croydon, Bristol, Plymouth and the

Channel Islands.

Passenger terminal in the mid 1930s

Flying at Christchurch


The Inter-War Years

Swanage

The Isle of Purbeck Light Aero Club was

established at Worth Matravers, on the

Purbeck Hills, in the summer of 1928. An

opening flying display was held on 16 August

with around 1,000 people attending. The field

was grandly named Swanage Aerodrome and

was often used by visitors to the local golf

club.

Flying seems to have ended by the late

1930s, with the field becoming the village

football ground.

Simmonds Spartan as used by the Flying Club

Dorchester

Although Dorchester is the County Town, it

was never heavily involved with aviation.

The Dorsetshire Aero Club was formed in

August 1928 on a site to the east of the

town, but did not last very long.

Dorchester was included in the 1934

timetable of Provincial Airways as part of

their Croydon to Plymouth route. However

there was little demand and the airline went

out of business at the end of the year.

Weymouth

Having initially been listed as a licensed

airfield, by 1921 the site at Lodmoor had

been relegated to an emergency landing

field.

Another airfield, located at Chickerell, saw

some use in the 1920/30s and was visited

several times by Sir Alan Cobham’s “Flying

Circus”. Sir Alan referred to this as

Chickerell Aerodrome, Weymouth.

Airships over Dorset

Airship R101 flew night-time trials over the

Isle of Wight and the Isle of Purbeck on 2

November 1929.

Graf Zeppelin overflew Bournemouth on 2

July 1932 whilst on a round-the-country

flight, as did the Hindenburg on the evening

of 6 July 1936.

Reports that they were spying on the area

proved to be well-founded as, by the

outbreak of war, Germany had excellent

aerial photographs of local military

establishments.

Hindenburg

Around the County


The Inter-War Years

Sir Alan Cobham was in the public eye in the 1920s because of a

number of long distance air flights – to India and Australia, and

around Africa. In 1929 he was asked by Bournemouth Council to

recommend the site of an airport for the town. He made a number of

suggestions, but the Council did not follow up on any of them.

He said that East Parley had the makings of a magnificent

aerodrome. This was the area selected by the RAF in 1940 for the

construction of RAF Hurn (now Bournemouth Airport).

He also made visits to Dorchester and Weymouth as part of his

Municipal Aerodrome Campaign, but they did not result in the

development of an aerodrome in either town.

In order to get the British public air-minded, he established his

National Aviation Day in 1933. With a variety of aircraft he toured the

country providing spectacular air displays as well as the chance to

have a flight. The public soon called this Cobham’s “Flying Circus” -

a title he did not like.

Sir Alan went on to found Flight Refuelling Ltd in the late 1930s. Its

pioneering flight refuelling work was adopted by the military in the

early 1950s. The company initially operated in Dorset from Tarrant

Rushton, having relocated there from Ford in Sussex, before moving

to Wimborne and Bournemouth Airport in the 1980s.

Sir Alan Cobham KBE AFC (1894 - 1973)

Sir Alan won the King's Cup Air Race in 1924, at his third attempt.

The map below shows the ambitious 1929 itinerary for Sir Alan’s Municipal Aerodrome Campaign, 21 weeks flying a ten seat DH61 around the country, during which he visited 110 towns, made 5,000 landings and carried 40,000 passengers.


The Inter-War Years

Most people – even members of the Air Cadet Organisation - have

probably never heard of the Bournemouth Young Airmen’s League

(BYAL), but it was undoubtedly the inspiration for two national

organisations that succeeded it – the Air Defence Cadet Corps in

1938 and the Air Training Corps in 1941.

Founded in 1928, the BYAL was the brainchild of two

great aviation enthusiasts – ex-RFC Flying Cadet

Charles (Charlie) Longman and ex-air mechanic

Robert (Bob) Weller. It was a direct result of their

experiences during the First World War, where they

had seen the tragic results of the inadequate training

of many young Allied flyers.

Their ambition was to build an organisation that

would create a national interest in aviation and

spread the gospel of air-mindedness among the

younger generation. From small beginnings, with a

membership of just six boys, one small model and no

funds, they created an air cadet unit that taught

youngsters a wide variety of aviation-related skills,

including principles of flight, navigation, and

engineering. They even had their own specially

designed uniform.

The BYAL developed close links with the aviation industry, and was

able to arrange visits to many aircraft factories. Through sheer

persistence they were even able to acquire a surplus Hawker

Woodcock airframe from Sir Sefton Brancker, the Director of Civil

Aviation, that could be used for instructional purposes – although not

for flying!

The unit attracted a lot of public interest, and the famous aviatrix, Amy

Johnson, became its Honorary President. The BYAL was also

assisted with lecture material by the Air League of the British Empire,

and an approach was made to the Air League in 1929 to discuss the

idea of a British Young Airmen’s League. The Air League agreed with

the idea in principle and, following meetings to discuss its feasibility, it

was decided to launch a fund to finance the new venture. However,

with the tragic death of Sir Sefton Brancker, one of its key supporters,

in the R101 Airship disaster in 1930, no further progress was made.

All was not lost, however,

because in 1933 the Air

League appointed a new

Secretary General, Air

Commodore Adrian Chamier,

who also saw the need to

generate an aviation interest

in young men. In December

1937, he announced that his

ideas for an Air Cadet Corps

had been presented to the Air

Ministry and had met with

Government approval. The

first Air Defence Cadet Corps

Squadron was formed in 1938.

Bournemouth Young Airmen’s League

BYAL with DH Gipsy Moth at Hamble, December 1930

Charlie Longman

Bob Weller


World War Two (WW2)

World War Two

At the outbreak of war, Dorset’s only active military airfield was RAF

Warmwell which, at the time, was a training base. However, when

German forces moved through Belgium and into France it was

realised that the south coast would need more fighter bases.

The Portland Naval Base soon proved to be a main Luftwaffe target,

so Spitfires were moved from Middle Wallop to be based at

Warmwell.

As the war progressed, further airfields were built around the county,

as well as additional facilities that the military needed, such as radar

sites and bombing ranges.

Warmwell ............................................... 20

Tarrant Rushton ..................................... 21

Christchurch ........................................... 22

Hurn and Portland .................................. 23

Poole Harbour ........................................ 24

Bombing and Gunnery Ranges .............. 25

Radar ..................................................... 26

Decoy and Anti-Aircraft Sites .................. 28

Crash Sites and Memorials .................... 29


World War Two (WW2)

This RAF station, to the east of Dorchester, opened in May 1937 as a

base for aircraft using the Chesil Beach Bombing Range. However, it

came to the fore from July 1940 during the Battle of Britain when

there were many Luftwaffe attacks in the local area, especially on the

Naval Base at Portland. Hurricanes and Spitfires were swiftly based

here, seeing much activity in the summer of 1940, often against

enemy formations of up to two hundred aircraft.

Other fighters based here later in the war included Whirlwinds and

Typhoons, with USAAF P-38 Lightnings over the D-Day period in

June 1944. Subsequently, a variety of RAF squadrons attended

Armament Practice Camps there. Warmwell closed at the end of

1945.

Whirlwind fighter bomber of 263 Squadron

Warmwell

Warmwell memorial


World War Two (WW2)

This was a major RAF airfield, which opened at the end of 1942. It was

situated south-east of Blandford, close to historic Badbury Rings.

Intended for bombers, it was used by Airborne Forces mainly for glider

towing. Converted Halifax and Stirling bombers were used as tugs for

Horsa and Hamilcar assault gliders. Tarrant Rushton was also involved

in SOE operations over enemy territory. The airfield’s claim to fame is

that the first gliders to land successfully in France early in the morning

of D-Day had left from Tarrant Rushton. The troops captured a vital

bridge over the Orne canal at Benouville, north of Caen. It was

renamed Pegasus Bridge in honour of the operation, the name derived

from the shoulder emblem worn by the British airborne forces.

With the end of the war the RAF had no further use for Tarrant

Rushton.

Horsa under tow Halifax tugs and Hamilcar & Horsa gliders

Tarrant Rushton

The Tarrant Rushton

memorial is located

on a corner of the

former airfield, on the

minor road between

Tarrant Rushton and

Witchampton.


World War Two (WW2)

In 1939, the Government built a large factory on Christchurch airfield, and Airspeed Ltd produced Oxford trainers and Horsa assault gliders there

for the RAF.

The airfield was used by the Special Duties Flight for a few months in 1940, working in connection with the development of radar. The spring of

1944 saw the arrival of USAAF P-47 Thunderbolts for the D-Day landings. Subsequently, the squadrons moved across the English Channel to

Normandy. An RAF gliding school remained as Christchurch’s only military occupant, providing instruction to local Air Cadets.

Airspeed Oxford trainers Airspeed Horsa assault glider

USAAF P-47 Thunderbolt pilots

Glider training with the Air Cadets

In 1938 the Air Defence Research and Development Establishment was formed at Somerford on the north-east side of Christchurch Aerodrome.

It was involved in the early development of radar, working in conjunction with the Telecommunications Research Establishment at Worth

Matravers in the Purbeck Hills. The work was secret and, in the early days, rumours spread among the local residents that the Establishment

was developing a Death Ray. By the end of 1940 it had perfected mobile ground-to-air radar for operational use by the RAF.

Christchurch

USAAF P-47 Thunderbolt and US pilots

Airspeed Oxford trainers


World War Two (WW2)

Hurn

One of the new wartime airfields built in Dorset, RAF Hurn opened in

April 1941.

Initially, it did not see operational use, but was used for training. This

included glider towing and the development of airborne radar. There

were also limited services by BOAC, mainly for VIPs, to North Africa

and the Middle East. However, the airfield became very active over the

D-Day period with RAF and RCAF fighter squadrons using Typhoons

and Mosquitos, followed later by the USAAF flying B-26 Marauder

bombers. The fighters were soon able to use temporary airstrips in

Normandy during daylight hours, returning to Hurn for servicing. All the

aircraft had moved to Normandy by August 1944.

In November 1944, when no longer required by the military, Hurn

became Britain’s prime civil airport and remained so until London

Heathrow was completed in May 1946. Its main users were BOAC,

American Airlines, Pan American, KLM, Sabena and Qantas.

RAF Typhoon fighter-bomber

Portland

Naval aircraft returned to Portland Harbour in September 1939 with the

arrival of Swordfish floatplanes.

However the base proved susceptible to Luftwaffe attacks and the

aircraft moved north to Scotland in July 1940. The Luftwaffe’s first

attack on the base - and on Dorset - was on 30 June 1940.

Swordfish floatplanes operated from Portland Harbour

USAAF B-26 Marauder bomber

Hurn and Portland


World War Two (WW2)

At the outbreak of WW2, Imperial Airways moved their flying boat

operations from Southampton to what became Poole Maritime

Airport. The airline became part of British Overseas Airways

Corporation (BOAC) on 1 April 1940 with its Headquarters being at

‘Airways House’ in Poole High Street. Short C-Class flying boats were

used to retain contact with the Empire and were later joined by

Sunderlands and Boeing 314 Clippers. The latter provided a limited

service to North America. Other routes included Foynes (County

Limerick), Lisbon and West Africa. The Salterns Hotel at Lilliput

served as the airline’s terminal.

The southern waters of Poole Harbour provided a base for the Royal

Navy’s Basic Seaplane Training School, which opened in the summer

of 1940. It operated Walrus amphibians and Kingfisher, Seafox and

Swordfish floatplanes. The headquarters and hangar of HMS

Daedalus II were in premises commandeered from the Royal Motor

Yacht Club at Sandbanks. The School moved out in October 1943 as

the Harbour was becoming busy with preparations for D-Day.

In June 1942, the RAF established a flying boat base in Poole

Harbour to increase aerial coverage of the Bay of Biscay, where

German U-Boats were very active and sinking a large number of

allied ships. Limited facilities were provided on the slipways at Lake,

Hamworthy, as there were no hangars available. Initially,

Sunderlands were based at RAF Hamworthy, followed in April 1943

by Catalinas. The RAF moved out at the end of 1943, but there were

still BOAC flying boats to be seen in Poole Harbour.

BOAC Boeing 314 Clipper Kingfisher floatplane from Sandbanks over Poole Park lake

A Sunderland on the hard standing for maintenance Ground crews and their normal transport

Today, “Poole Flying Boats Celebration” aims to advance awareness of

the Flying Boat and Seaplane services based in Poole during and after

WW2, with an extensive public-access archive and projects drawing on

the memories of those involved.

For more information visit their website at

www.pooleflyingboats.com

Poole Harbour

http://www.pooleflyingboats.com


World War Two (WW2)

In 1937, the RAF established a bombing and gunnery range along the

Fleet Lagoon, at Chesil Beach. In 1939, the range was extended

further into Lyme Bay. The ranges were used by a variety of bombers

and fighters throughout the war for their crews to improve their skills.

The Fleet Range played a vital part in the war effort, when it was

chosen as one of the sites for testing the new “bouncing bomb”

developed by Barnes Wallis to destroy the Ruhr Dams and other naval

targets. In late 1942, Wellington aircraft (also designed by Barnes

Wallis), operating from RAF Warmwell, dropped a variety of prototype

bombs of the original spherical design, which was later developed as

“Highball” to be deployed by Mosquito aircraft against shipping targets.

A second design of “bouncing bomb”, the more familiar “Upkeep”

cylindrical bomb, was developed later and used by 617 Squadron in

the “Dambusters” raid in 1943.

A Wellington dropping an early version of the Bouncing Bomb Round-shaped early Bouncing Bomb

Chickerell, near Weymouth, was

brought back into use late in

1936 in connection with the

nearby Chesil Beach Bombing

Range.

The airfield proved a useful

emergency landing site for

aircraft using the range. Westland Wallace used as target tugs from Chickerell

Situated inside the Cobb at

Lyme Regis, the RAF Marine

Craft Unit was established in

1937 to provide support for the

Chesil Beach Bombing Range,

using fast patrol boats and

safety launches.

Soon after the outbreak of war,

the unit also began undertaking

Air Sea Rescue duties. This work continued post-war, until replaced by

helicopters in the late 1950s. The base closed in July 1964.

Range Safety Launch on the slipway

Ballard Down, to the north of Swanage and adjacent to Poole Bay, was used by the RAF in the months prior to D-Day as a gunnery range. Hawker

Typhoon fighter bombers of various squadrons were among the aircraft which attacked a variety of ground targets. Today, there is nothing to be

seen of this wartime activity.

Bombing and Gunnery Ranges


World War Two (WW2)

World War Two saw the development of radar, which was a key part of the country’s defences.

CHAIN HOME formed part of the world’s first integrated air defence system. It covered the eastern and southern coastlines of the UK and was

operational by the start of the war in 1939. CHAIN HOME LOW was then introduced to provide coverage down to 500 feet, and CHAIN HOME

EXTRA LOW later extended this coverage down to 50 feet.

GEE was a radio navigation system that was developed at Swanage and enabled navigators to plot their position throughout the UK and Europe.

Airborne Interception (AI) Radar was installed in many aircraft to assist the crew in locating enemy aircraft. Initially developed at Bawdsey

Manor, Woodbridge, its efficiency was later greatly enhanced by the introduction of the cavity magnetron.

Situated in the Purbeck Hills, Worth Matravers was part of the wartime expansion of Chain Radar westwards from the Isle of Wight, so giving

greater warning of impending Luftwaffe attacks.

The site was also used by the Telecommunications Research Establishment (TRE) for the further development of radar, including AI radar. The

cliff-top site was an obvious potential target and so the TRE moved inland to Malvern in the spring of 1942. Worth Matravers also became a Gee

Radar Station, providing radar navigation for RAF bombers over enemy territory.

The RAF continued with radar operations at Worth Matravers until well after the war and the 360-foot tower was only taken down in the early

1970s.

The two main radar towers at Worth Matravers

Radar

Memorial at St Aldhelm’s Head, Worth Matravers (photo: Jim Champion)


World War Two (WW2)

In the spring of 1941, the RAF opened a Chain Home radar station at

Southbourne, west of Hengistbury Head. There were various aerials

and buildings in bunkers. These were no longer needed with the

return to peace.

To the west of Blandford, Bulbarrow Hill was a RAF radar station

which opened in 1942. Provided with wooden masts, it was the

master station for the RAF’s Southern Gee Chain network. The

station continued in use until the end of 1957, when the USAF

developed it in connection with their site at Ringstead. The fenced-off

site is still there and is now used for telecommunication masts.

Situated on Portland, Westcliff Chain Home Low radar site opened in

1941, providing cover over Lyme Bay.

Situated on the cliffs to the east of Weymouth, Ringstead was an

RAF wartime Chain Home Radar station. Equipped with six masts, it

became operational in the spring of 1942 and continued on a reduced

basis post war. However, with the Cold War looming, Ringstead was

upgraded and remained in use until 1956.

The USAF arrived at the end of 1963 to build a Tropospheric Scatter

facility adjacent to the former RAF site. This remained in use until

1974 when it was replaced by satellites.

The USAFs Tropospheric Scatter site at Ringstead

For more information,

visit the Purbeck Radar Museum Trust’s website at

www.purbeckradar.org.uk

Radar (continued)

http://www.purbeckradar.org.uk


World War Two (WW2)

Decoy Sites

Known as Starfish sites, these large-scale night-time decoys were

created during the Blitz to simulate burning British cities. The aim

was to divert night bombers from their intended targets so that they

would drop their ordnance over the countryside.

A number of sites were used in Dorset, including

Type Location Grid Ref

Naval Arne SY 963868

Naval Brownsea Island SZ 011878 (decoy site for Poole)

Army Canford Magna SZ 027963

Naval Gore Heath SY 922914

RAF Knighton SY 812866 (decoy site for Warmwell)

Naval Littlemoor SY 682823

Naval Wyke Oliver SY 682823

RAF Ridley Plain SU 210072

RAF Verwood SU 100066

Naval Fleet SY 637791

Anti-Aircraft Sites

Anti-aircraft defences, using either 3.7 inch AA guns or Bofors 40mm

guns, were used to protect military and industrial sites. These anti-

aircraft sites included

Location Grid Ref Location Grid Ref

Arne SY 966874 Parkstone Bay SZ 031907

Blackhead SY 723825 Shell Bay SZ 031857

East Weare SY 098736 Slepe SY 924922

Fleet SY 623804 Southwell SY 684697

Holton Heath SY 939902 Upton SY 979937

Nothe SY 686787 Verne SY 696732

Northport SY 919887 Wyke SY 658775

The Holton Heath

tower can still be

seen


World War Two (WW2)

Halifax crash at Moordown

Early on 21 March 1944, Halifax JP137

took off from Hurn aerodrome but during

the first few minutes of flight a serious

engine malfunction occurred. The aircraft

turned back towards Hurn before flying low,

crashing and exploding in Wimborne Road,

Moordown, in north Bournemouth.

A memorial to the seven aircrew and two

local residents who lost their lives in the

crash was erected in 2011. It stands at the scene of the disaster on

the corner of Meadow Court Close and Wimborne Road.

Crash sites and memorials

In common with the rest of the country, Dorset saw numerous plane

crashes, with both military and civilian casualties. Several are

commemorated with memorials at or near the crash sites. The

events recorded here are just a few examples.

For a full account, visit the Moordown Halifax Memorial website

www.jp137.com

Spitfire crash at Durweston

On 29 November 1940, Spitfire

R6907 crashed into woodland at

Field Grove, near Durweston, north

of Blandford. The pilot, Pilot Officer

John Woodward Allan of 152

Squadron, RAF Warmwell is thought

to have fainted through lack of

oxygen and was killed in the crash.

In 1978 a granite memorial was

placed at the crash site, replacing a

plaque on the trunk of a tree hit by

the plane.

Source: “Dorset Flight - The Complete History” Rodney Legg 2001

For a comprehensive list of air crashes in Dorset, visit

http://dorset.hampshireairfields.co.uk/dorcrash.html

Bomb damage at Moreton

St Nicholas Church, Moreton, east of Dorchester, was hit by a stray

German bomb in May 1940 and its windows were blown out.

In 1955, Sir Lawrence Whistler was asked to produce a series of

etched glass windows, and over the following 30 years these were

installed. The Trinity Chapel window commemorates an RAF pilot

shot down in the Battle of France in 1940.

T E Lawrence, better known as “Lawrence of Arabia”, is buried in the

nearby churchyard.

http://www.jp137.com

http://dorset.hampshireairfields.co.uk/dorcrash.html


After World War Two

After World War Two

The post war years led to a golden age for aviation in Dorset. After a

brief period as Britain’s major international airport, Bournemouth was

served by a succession of airlines, including two well-remembered

carriers for which it was their base, Channel Express and Palmair. It

also housed the production lines for, amongst others, two of the most

successful British airliners, the Viscount and BAC One-Eleven.

Not far away, Christchurch Airfield saw the manufacture of other

iconic British aircraft, including the Ambassador and Sea Vixen.

Tarrant Rushton became the base for Flight Refuelling Ltd, the world-

leading air-to-air refuelling company founded by Sir Alan Cobham. At

this time, it began to expand its activities into additional fields such as

aircraft maintenance and operation and unmanned aircraft. Further

west, Portland became an important Fleet Air Arm helicopter base.

Bournemouth Airport .............................. 31

Industry at Bournemouth Airport ............. 32

People at Bournemouth Airport .............. 33

Christchurch ........................................... 34

Gliding at Christchurch ........................... 35

Other locations ....................................... 36

Flight Refuelling Ltd ............................... 37

Handley Page Herald operated by Channel Express


After World War Two

The return to peace saw an increase in BOAC services from

Bournemouth. However these were for government officials or

military VIPs, not the public.

The route to Sydney

commenced in May 1945

operated by converted

Lancaster bombers.

Transatlantic services from

New York by American

Airlines and Pan American

commenced in October

1945, using DC-4

Skymasters and Constellations.

All BOAC services moved to the new Heathrow Airport in May 1946.

However, throughout the 1940/50s, Bournemouth was the diversion

airport for London, receiving major airlines from around the world,

including Air India, Pan American, Qantas and South African

Airways.

American Airlines first flight from New York

BOAC aircraft diverted from London Airport

Local services commenced in the 1950s, serving the Channel

Islands, Paris, Manchester and Glasgow.

Car ferry services operated

by Silver City Airways to the

Channel Islands and

Cherbourg began in the late

1950s – this was before the

development of roll-on/roll-

off ferry ships. Silver City

services ended in 1966.

In 1995, the airport was bought by National Express who extended

the main runway to accommodate Boeing 767s. The extension was

opened by Concorde in April

1996. The airliner visited on

several occasions, operating

charters for local company

Bath Travel.

In May 1996 Ryanair, the

first of the low-cost carriers

to use Bournemouth, began

operating with cheap flights

to Dublin.

Concorde visit in the 1990s

Bournemouth Airport


After World War Two

In 1949 Bournemouth became the home of the School of Air Traffic

Control, which trained controllers from around the world. It became the

College of Air Traffic Control in 1962. In 2009, the College relocated,

under its new title National Air Traffic Services, to a new site at

Swanwick.

Channel Express (Air Services) Ltd was established in 1978, operating

daily services to the Channel Islands under the name Express Air

Services, initially using Handley Page Dart Herald aircraft. Cargo

carried included flowers and tomatoes.

In the early 1980s Channel Express secured a contract with the Post

Office to fly mail from the south of England to Liverpool for sorting and

distribution to other parts of the country. Planes returned with local

mail. The service finished in December 2015.

During the 1950s, there was a thriving aircraft construction industry at

Bournemouth Airport, with Vickers-Armstrong building Varsity trainers

and Viscount airliners. The Viscount was a very successful turbo-

prop airliner which was initially operated by British European Airways

(BEA). It was sold world-wide and was a major dollar earner for Great

Britain.

The Viscount was followed in the 1960/70s by the BAC One-Eleven

airliner, another export success. With the sale of the final One-

Eleven, the factory closed in July 1984. However the buildings

continue in use at the present time with aviation-related and other

activities.

Viscount production line 1954 One-Elevens awaiting delivery

Industry at Bournemouth Airport

Dakotas were daily visitors to Bournemouth in the 1960s

Dart Herald operated by Channel Express

For more information on Channel Express, visit the Dart Group website

http://www.dartgroup.co.uk/Dart-Group-history/

http://www.dartgroup.co.uk/Dart-Group-history/


After World War Two

Steve Fossett

A well-known American aviator, he established many long-flying

records.

Flying the Virgin Global Flyer, he established the “distance without

landing” record of 25,766 miles on 8 – 11 February 2006. The flight

was due to end at Manston, Kent, but electrical problems whilst

descending over the Irish Sea forced him to divert into Bournemouth.

All the aircraft’s tyres burst on landing. As a result, Bournemouth

unexpectedly found itself in the record books.

Fossett was killed in a light aircraft crash in Nevada in September

2007.

Virgin Global Flyer on the ground at Bournemouth

Peter Bath

Peter Bath was a well-known Bournemouth businessman.

He joined the family travel agency, Bath Travel, and was, for many

years, its managing director. In 1958, he founded Palmair Holidays,

which flew many local residents to the Mediterranean, principally

Palma, Mallorca. Palmair the airline was formed in 1993 and

received top awards from Holiday Which? magazine despite only

having one aircraft. Part of this aircraft can now be seen at the

Bournemouth Aviation Museum.

Peter is remembered for personally seeing off all his passengers on

their flights from Bournemouth. He died in 2006.

Peter Bath waiting to greet his passengers Palmair’s BAe146 Whisperjet

People at Bournemouth Airport


After World War Two

After WW2, the RAF no longer needed Christchurch and moved out

in January 1946.

Apart from the flying associated with the de Havilland factory, there

was limited private flying at Christchurch in the years after the war.

Training and pleasure flights were provided by the Christchurch Aero

Club, giving flyers excellent views over the Solent, the Isle of Wight

and the New Forest.

Aero Club Tiger Moth Former De Havilland factory, now used by light industry

Airspeed Ltd developed the Ambassador airliner in the late 1940s,

with 20 entering service with BEA.

In 1951 Airspeed was taken over by de Havilland Aircraft and the

factory was then used for the production of Vampire trainers &

Venom night fighters for the RAF and Sea Venom & Sea Vixen

fighters for the Navy. The fighters were also widely exported.

Rationalisation of Britain’s aircraft industry saw the factory close in

June 1962

Ambassador airliner Sea Vixen naval fighter

Christchurch airfield closed in autumn 1964. The site was developed for commercial and residential purposes and many of the roads were given

aeronautical names.

Christchurch


After World War Two

In March 1944, the Air Training Corps Volunteer Gliding School was

formed as 89 Gliding School RAF, based at Christchurch airfield.

It was initially equipped with Dagling Mk Is and later with Cadet Mk I

and Mk IIs.

Two-seater training began with the introduction of T21 Sedbergh

and Cadet Mk III aircraft in 1950.

The School entered the National Gliding Championships at Lasham

in 1954 and one of its pilots recorded a flight of 73 miles to

Weymouth in a T21 glider.

In 1955/56 the school was re-designated 622 Gliding School,

parented by nearby RAF Sopley located across the border in

Hampshire.

In June 1963, with the airfield’s imminent closure, the unit moved to

Old Sarum and then relocated to RAF Upavon (now Trenchard

Lines) in 1978. It is now 622 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, and,

following a reorganisation in 2016, is one of 11 units, together with

the Central Gliding School, serving the Air Cadet Organisation.

Slingsby Cadet training glider

Gliding at Christchurch


After World War Two

Chickerell

Chickerell continued in limited use for aircraft

using the Chesil Beach Bombing Range. It

was also a base for Royal Navy Dragonfly

helicopters and for early trials of the

Whirlwind helicopter in 1953.

Flying ceased by the summer of 1955 and

the airfield closed in 1959.

Prototype Whirlwind undergoing naval trials

Poole Harbour

With the return to peace, BOAC’s services

expanded to South Africa, the Far East and

Australia, with newer Hythe and

Sandringham flying boats being introduced.

In the spring of 1948, BOAC moved its

services back to their pre-war base at

Southampton and the harbour returned to

yachting. A number of surplus flying boats

flew back to the harbour for storage in the

1950s. However, there was no further use

for them and so they were eventually

broken up.

Yachts return to Poole Harbour Short Solent III G-AHIL “City of Salisbury” A sad end to the flying boats

Helicopters at Portland

Portland was one of the first post-war

helicopter bases and was the site for float-

equipped Sikorsky Hoverflys.

The base underwent a major rebuild in the

late 1950s, opening as HMS Osprey in April

1959 and becoming a main helicopter

training base. Initial operations were with the

Dragonfly and Whirlwind, then progressing

onto the Wessex, Wasp and Sea King.

When the Merlin started its trials in 1990, the

end of Portland was in sight and it closed in

the spring of 1999.

Prototype Wasp on trials at Portland View of Portland airfield in the early 1960s

Other locations


After World War Two

Flight Refuelling moved into the former RAF

airfield at Tarrant Rushton in 1948. The

company was the leader in the development

of in-flight refuelling with initial trials using an

elderly Lancaster as a tanker refuelling a

Meteor fighter. In the late 1940s the system

was sold to the USAF.

A number of their Lancaster tankers were

used during the Berlin Airlift (1948 - 49).

In due course, the RAF developed a fleet of

Valiant and Victor tankers fitted with Flight

Refuelling equipment. During the 1960s/70s,

the company also converted a large number

of surplus Meteor fighters into target drones.

In the 1960s, during the Cold War, Tarrant

Rushton was a V-Bombers Dispersal Airfield,

with Valiants and Victors seen there on

exercises from their home bases.

Lancastrian on Berlin Airlift duties Valiant bombers on Cold War standby at Tarrant Rushton Meteor prepares to refuel Lancaster tanker G-33-2 refuelling

Meteor over Poole Harbour

Sir Michael Cobham

Son of Sir Alan, Michael joined Flight

Refuelling in 1944. Following his father’s

death in 1973, he became Chairman and

Chief Executive. His drive and vision

oversaw the continued worldwide growth of

the company. He retired in 1995, the year in

which he received his knighthood. He died

in April 2006.

Sir Michael was

president of the

Christchurch Branch

of the Royal

Aeronautical Society

from the early 1980s

until he stepped

down in 2002.

In the early 1960s Flight Refuelling built a

large factory at Wimborne for the

production of in-flight refuelling equipment.

It also used a hangar at Bournemouth

Airport where it converted VC10s into

tankers and as a base for its Falcon 20

fleet. These were used in a threat-

simulation role on naval exercises in the

Channel.

In 1994, the Flight Refuelling group was

renamed Cobham plc to recognise the

company’s founding family. In 2008,

individual companies within the group were

renamed to reflect the Cobham heritage.

Tarrant Rushton airfield was returned to

farming in the 1980s.

Flight Refuelling Ltd


Present Day

Present Day

Today, aviation and aerospace activity in Dorset reflects the national

picture. The UK manufacturing industry now largely makes

components and systems rather than complete aircraft, but remains

one of the largest of the world’s aerospace industries. A large

number of small and medium sized enterprises based in Dorset

contribute substantially.

The explosive worldwide growth in air travel has led to the success of

low cost carriers and holiday airlines, both reflected in the services

from Bournemouth Airport, which has itself expanded.

The continuing importance of tourism to the UK economy is

underlined by the establishment of the Bournemouth Air Festival,

now a major event in the annual air display calendar.

Meanwhile, Dorset continues to be a centre for recreational flying and

flight training which, with the continuing success of the Air Cadet

movement, supports the growing need for pilots, engineers and

ground support staff to sustain the expansion of aviation and

aerospace worldwide.

Aviation Industry Today .......................... 39

Around the Airport .................................. 41

Bournemouth Air Displays ..................... 42

Bournemouth Red Arrows Association ... 43

Bournemouth Air Festival....................... 44

Emergency Services .............................. 45

Air Training Corps .................................. 46

Flight Training and Leisure Flying .......... 47

Gliding ................................................... 48

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner


Present Day

Cobham, with wide interests in the defence, security and commercial

markets, which has two major facilities in the area. The Group

headquarters at Wimborne is a world-leading centre for the design and

manufacture of air-to-air refuelling equipment; the facility at

Bournemouth Airport is, amongst other things, a centre for the

maintenance and operation of special mission aircraft.

RAF Voyager refuelling a Tornado and Typhoon

Today, most of Dorset's aerospace industry is concentrated on or close to Bournemouth International Airport. There are many small companies

offering, for example, flight training, business jet and helicopter charter and aircraft maintenance and repair. Amongst them are three companies

which are Corporate Partners of the Royal Aeronautical Society, supporting the Society's professional aims and standards.

Aviation Industry Today

Beagle Technology Group,

located in central Christchurch,

specialises in the design and

manufacture of metallic and

composite parts and structures.

http://www.beagletg.com/

Tucano Air Intake

Photos courtesy of Beagle Technology Group

http://www.beagletg.com/


Present Day

An exception to the geographical rule is AmSafe, located in the west of

the county at Bridport. Today, Amsafe is the world’s leading provider of

safety restraint products for the aerospace, defence, speciality and

vehicle industries, manufacturing unique products such as the seatbelt

airbag.

In 1955, one of its predecessors, Cummings & Sanders, was granted

the metal-to-metal buckle patent and the seatbelt industry was born.

In the early 1960s, another AmSafe company, Bridport plc, then the

largest rope and net producer in Europe, began designing and

manufacturing nets for the aviation industry. The Bridport facility traces

its heritage back to the 13th Century and has continuously occupied

the same site for more than 300 years.

Aviation Industry Today (continued)

Meggitt plc specialises in smart engineering for extreme environments:

past, present and future.

From the world’s first altimeter to critical components for NASA’s Mars

rocket, Meggitt, which is based near the airport, has been solving

some of the world’s toughest engineering challenges in aerospace,

defence and energy for 150 years.

Today, Meggitt is winning support from global leaders in government,

universities and business for using smart tools and big data to bring

Industry 4.0 to aerospace and innovative R&D in areas such as next-

generation turbofan architecture and additive layer manufacturing.

Integrated secondary flight

display (iSFD) (altimeter)

Photo courtesy of Meggitt plc

Photo courtesy of Amsafe http://www.meggitt.com/

http://www.meggitt.com


Present Day

Bournemouth Airport

Today owned by Manchester Airports Group, Bournemouth’s modern

terminal mainly serves the leisure market, being capable of handling

over two million passengers a year. It is used by several low-cost

carriers – EasyJet, Thomson and Ryanair. Palma is still the favourite

destination, almost 60 years after Palmair began flying there.

The airport is home to a number of executive jets and flying schools.

It is also used for a large number of military training flights. Visitors

include RAF Chinooks, Tornados, Hercules and its replacement the

A-400M Atlas and Royal Navy Merlins and Wildcats.

The airport’s expanding business park on the north side makes a

valuable contribution to Dorset’s economy.

Bournemouth’s Departure Terminal Boeing 737 operated by Ryanair

Bournemouth Aviation Museum

Situated to the south side of Bournemouth Airport, the Museum has a

varied collection of exhibits. Aircraft on display include a Hawker

Hunter and a Jaguar. It also houses a range of artefacts and

engines.

The museum’s aim is to be interesting and informative to all ages and

offers a ‘hands-on’ experience. It also provides visitors with excellent

views of activities at the airport.

For more information , visit the museum’s website at

www.aviation-museum.co.uk

Photo: Bournemouth Aviation Museum

Around the Airport

http://www.aviation-museum.co.uk


Present Day

In recent times, Bournemouth has staged regular air displays, starting

with the Bournemouth Air Pageant in June 1977.

Until 1991, the shows were held at Bournemouth Airport, and

attracted many thousands of visitors. Aircraft displaying over the

years included the Lockheed U2 / TR1, the Harrier, the Vulcan and of

course the Red Arrows.

A B-26 Invader at the 1980 Show

Bournemouth Air Displays


Present Day

The success of the Air Shows at Hurn and the popularity of the Red

Arrows gave rise to the Bournemouth Red Arrows Association.

Formed in 1994, the Association’s aim was to ensure that the Red

Arrows displayed at Bournemouth at least once a year. This was first

achieved the following year. The Association also hosted a charity

lunch to tie in with the display.

Each year’s display was paid for by a local business and an auction

raised funds for local charities. By 2007 there were calls for a larger

air display over the seafront which, the Association felt, was beyond

its organising capabilities. It therefore gave support to a new team

which organised the town’s first Air Festival in 2008. Although no

longer involved in the displays, the Bournemouth Red Arrows

Association continues its charity fundraising which, by spring 2016,

had totalled £211,500.

Bournemouth Red Arrows Association

For more information about the Bournemouth Red Arrows Association,

visit their website www.bmthreds.co.uk

http://www.bmthreds.co.uk


Present Day

The Bournemouth Air Festival is one of the

biggest free air shows in Britain, and has been

voted one of the 10 best air shows in the

world. Since the first show was held in 2008,

more than eight million people have watched

the displays, and annual attendance now tops

one million. More than £80,000 has been

raised for charities nominated by the armed

forces, such as the RAF Benevolent Fund.

The four-day show is held every August.

Flying displays take place just off-shore and

are visible along the entire length of the promenade linking

Bournemouth and Boscombe Piers Spectators both on land and in

boats moored off-shore have an uninterrupted view.

Aircraft that have displayed include such favourites as The Battle of

Britain Memorial Flight, The Red Arrows, B-17 Flying Fortress “Sally

B”, Hawker Hunter, De Havilland Vampire, Fairey Swordfish and the

Boeing Chinook. In 2015, the last flying Avro Vulcan, XH558, gave

one of its final displays at Bournemouth before being taken out of

service - and there was not a dry eye in the house!

All the armed forces attend, with dedicated RAF and Royal Navy

villages. The Army displays some of its latest fighting vehicles.

Royal Navy warships are moored off-shore, and the Royal Marines

stage a beach assault and also give displays of unarmed combat. In

addition, there are 1.5 miles of trading stalls and ground displays on

the promenade between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers.

Bournemouth Air Festival

Tragedy hit the show on Saturday, 20 August

2011, when one of the Red Arrows - Hawk T1

XX179 – crashed in a field at Throop Mill near

Bournemouth Airport following their display. The

pilot, 33 year old Flt Lt Jon Egging (Red4) was

killed. The Coroner later recorded a verdict of

accidental death. Following the accident, a

memorial was erected on the town’s East Cliff.

Jon was passionate about inspiring young people

through a love of flying and an enthusiasm for

teamwork.

The Jon Egging Trust was set up in his memory

to help young people overcome adversity and be

the best they can be.

For more information, visit

www.joneggingtrust.org.uk

Avro Vulcan XH588 giving its final display at

Bournemouth in 2015

The armed forces villages

http://www.joneggingtrust.org.uk


Present Day

Police

The local police helicopter is based at

Bournemouth Airport, having moved from its

original home at Dorset Police HQ, Winfrith,

in 2014.

The helicopter is part of the National Police

Air Service, which is a nationally managed,

regionally organised service providing vital

air support to local police forces.

In the South West region, helicopters are

based at Bournemouth, Exeter and Filton

(Gloucestershire).

Air Ambulance

Established in March 2000, the current

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

helicopter is based at Henstridge airfield on

the Dorset/Somerset border. From this

central base, the air ambulance can be at

any point in either county within 20

minutes. Since 2000, the air ambulance

has flown over 11,000 missions.

The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is

a registered charity and relies on

fundraising and donations.

Coastguard

The Royal Navy originally provided

helicopter rescue cover from its base at

Portland, until it left in March 1999.

Civilian operators then took over on behalf of

the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Recent re-organisation will see the Portland

operations end in 2017 and future cover will

be provided from Lee-on-the-Solent.

Emergency Services

MD902 Explorer Eurocopter EC135 AgustaWestland AW139

For more information visit

www.dsairambulance.org.uk

http://www.dsairambulance.org.uk/


Present Day

Air Training Corps

This year, the Air Training Corps celebrates its 75th anniversary, and

now has more than 40,000 members in 1,000 squadrons. Three of the

original squadrons that were formed in 1941 – 130 (Bournemouth), 149

(Poole) and 171 (Christchurch) are still flourishing, and they have been

joined by many others throughout Dorset: 2182 (Dorchester), 2358

(Ferndown), 2391 (Parkstone), 932 (Gillingham & Shaftesbury), 874

(Sherborne), 1069 (Flight Refuelling Wimborne), 1606 (Weymouth) and

2185 (Wareham).

The cadet training programme includes many subjects that would have

been familiar to the cadets of the Bournemouth Young Airmen’s

League, including principles of flight, navigation and aircraft

construction.

Anyone interested in becoming an adult member of staff should contact

the Wing Headquarters on 01980 622014.

For more information about the RAF Air Cadets in Dorset,

visit their website at http://www.aircadetsdorsetwilts.org

http://www.aircadetsdorsetwilts.org


Present Day

Compton Abbas

Situated on a hilltop to the south of Shaftesbury, this grass airfield is

in the heart of the Dorset countryside. It was opened in 1962 and

today is a popular location for flyers. Flying training is provided by

Abbas Air and heritage flight experiences are available in a range of

aircraft including a DH Tiger Moth, a Chipmunk and a Harvard.

Microlight flying is also available.

Visitors are welcome to come and watch the aircraft and there is a

good café and viewing area open to the public.

Bournemouth Airport

With Bournemouth having arguably some of the best flying conditions

in the UK, it is an ideal location for both private and commercial flight

training. Most aircraft movements are related to training - from a

flying club Cessna to an RAF Globemaster.

The majority of training is for prospective airline pilots seeking their

Commercial Pilot’s Licence. They usually fly small twin-engine

aircraft, such as the Diamond DA42 Twin Star, which are based at

the airport.

Flight Training and Leisure Flying

For more information about Compton Abbas Airfield visit their website

comptonabbasairfield.co.uk

DH Tiger Moth

Diamond DA42 Twin Star

http://www.comptonabbasairfield.co.uk


Present Day

Eyres Field

Situated south of Bere Regis and near

Bovington Army Camp, the small grass airfield

known as Eyres Field is home to the Dorset

Gliding Club.

The original club was formed in 1929 at Maiden

Newton, north of Dorchester, to give basic

gliding instruction. Activities ceased prior to the

outbreak of WW2.

The club reformed in the early 1960s at Gallows

Hill, close to Bovington Camp. Over the

following years the club was forced to operate

from a number of other local airfields, including

Old Sarum and Tarrant Rushton.

In October 1992 the club re-established itself at

Gallows Hill, soon renamed Eyres Field in

honour of one of its founding members. At

weekends the club’s gliders can be seen

soaring in the thermals over the Purbeck Hills.

Awaiting a day’s action Photo courtesy of Dorset Gliding Club

Gliding

Aerotow launch at Eyres Field

For more information about the Dorset Gliding

Club, visit their website

www.dorsetglidingclub.co.uk

http://www.dorsetglidingclub.co.uk


The Future

Aerospace continues to be one of the most exciting and challenging

of human endeavours. Barring the unexpected, we can see some of

the future developments beginning to take shape today. The biggest

of these is likely to be a huge increase in the use of remotely piloted

aircraft, as major advances in air traffic control systems allow the

successors of the drones of today to fly routinely in the same airspace

as piloted aircraft.

Other likely developments are the growth of space tourism, which

may well in turn lead to the introduction of long distance sub-orbital

airline travel, and the arrival of supersonic business jets.

However, all this will be accompanied by major improvements to

make aviation more sustainable. These will include the use of

alternative fuels, ever more efficient and quieter jet engines, the use

of electric propulsion and the introduction of modified flight profiles to

reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

All these efforts will be underpinned by the use of more advanced

materials such as graphene and new manufacturing methods such as

3D printing.

We can expect that companies based in Dorset will continue to

contribute in many ways to this exciting future.

But to leave it there would be to ignore the greatest advance in

human communication since the invention of the wheel: the internet.

Today, much of the entire range of human knowledge can be

accessed by a personal computer or mobile device. This offers the

possibility of fresh ideas in aerospace coming not just from

established corporations and universities, but also from talented,

enthusiastic and imaginative individuals working alone or with like-

minded people anywhere in the world.

Organisations like the Royal Aeronautical Society, with its wealth of

aerospace knowledge and its ability to promote networking and

communication, are well placed to help turn such ideas into reality.

It is now just as likely that the next brilliant idea in aerospace could

start in Dorset as anywhere else.

Add a picture

The Future

"This flying wing airliner design dates back to the 1940’s, and serves to prove that none of us can accurately predict the form that future developments might take


Acknowledgements and Further Information

This guide has been produced by the committee of the Christchurch

Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society:

Much of the material has been supplied by local aviation historian

and former branch committee member, Mike Phipp. We would like to

thank Mike for his contribution to this project.

The photographs have come from a variety of sources. Historical

photographs have been provided by Mike Phipp from his extensive

collection. Dave Fagan and Colin Pomeroy have kindly allowed us to

use photographs from their collections.

We have endeavoured to credit photographers of archive material,

but this has not always been possible.

Unless otherwise stated, current photographs have been taken by

members of the committee.

We would like to thank Mike Godden for reading the guide prior to

publication and for his helpful comments.

Any errors or omissions are the responsibility of the committee. Any

corrections or updates will be very welcome and may be sent to the

branch secretary, Roger Starling [email protected] .

Further information about visiting Dorset can be found on the local

Tourist Information websites

Bournemouth http://bournemouth.co.uk/

Poole http://www.pooletourism.com/

Dorset http://www.visit-dorset.com/

Information about the Royal Aeronautical Society can be found at

http://www.aerosociety.com/

For more information about Christchurch Branch events and

activities, join our e-mailing list, by sending your details to the

Branch secretary Roger Starling [email protected]

Follow us on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/

raes.christchurch.branch/

Text copyright © RAeS Christchurch Branch May 2016

Jenny Gurden John Gurden

John Nicholson Mel Porter

Roger Starling Doug Wilson


http://bournemouth.co.uk/

http://www.pooletourism.com/

http://www.visit-dorset.com/

http://www.aerosociety.com/


https://www.facebook.com/groups/raes.christchurch.branch/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/raes.christchurch.branch/

Documents

CHRISTCHURCH BRANCH · Fischler’s Farman alongside Bournemouth Pier Gustav Hamel was a British aviator who learned to fly at the Blériot school in Pau. Louis Blériot himself commented