Bilton area flying sites
BILTON AREA FLYING SITES
NOTE: We have Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', to thank for investigating the aviation history of this area, situated between Bilton and Dunchurch, very roughly 1.5nm SSW of Rugby town centre. So far three flying sites in near proximity have been identified.
BILTON GRANGE (Aka BILTON GRANGE PARK)
During the military exercises held in the east Midlands during September 1913, the 'White' Forces had aircraft stationed at LILBOURNE on the A5. However, they also had the airships HMA Delta and HMA Etna based at BILTON GRANGE.
Note: Second picture: HMA Delta is in the foreground. The third picture is c/o Rugby Library.
BILTON PARK POLO GROUND
It appears that this site, measuring just 300 by 100 yards, (274 x 91 metres), was used by two 'flying circus' operators. The first being the Cornwall Aviation Company, displaying from the 15th to the 27th May 1929, and a one day display by the Sky Devils on the 11th June 1934.
Note: The advert was published in the Rugby Advertiser on the 14th May 1929, and the article was published on the 24th May 1929.
Note: This advert was published in the Rugby Advertiser on the 8th June 1934. The Sky Devils tour made much of their tour including use of the Armstrong Whitworth Argosy Mk.1, G-EBLF, hired in from Imperial Airways. The types first flight was in March 1926, but by 1934 it was nearing retirement. When lightly loaded, as would be the case when used for these duties, (despite a full passenger load), and although being a large airliner of the period, it had landing and take-off capabilities we would now regard as being in the STOL category.
The area view is from my Google Earth © derived database.
A FIELD OPPOSITE THE POLO GROUND
This field, opposite and west of the Polo Ground, was used by the Wolverhampton Aviation Company in July 1931. For some obscure reason being preferable to the polo ground.
Note: This advert was published in the Rugby Advertiser on the 3rd July 1931. Note that it states, "Last two days".
NOTES: In working on this 'Guide' for over twenty years, (in 2022), it has, in increasing measure, astonished me just how many flying sites we have, and have had, in our really quite small 'island' nation, which of course is comprised of many hundreds of islands, many inhabited. And of course, many of these islands having, or having had, flying sites.
The other aspect, and of course the most important aspect, is just how many flying sites exist, or have existed, on the mainland. I certainly had no idea about how many existed in the Rugby area alone. See RUGBY FLYING SITES for more information.
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
