Bristol flying sites
Note: This map only shows the position of Bristol city within the UK.
BRISTOL AIRPORT (LULSGATE) see seperate listing
BRISTOL see also CLIFTON COLLEGE GREEN
BRISTOL see also BRISTOL ROYAL INFIRMARY
BRISTOL see also FILTON
BRISTOL see also HORFIELD
BRISTOL see also MANGOTSFIELD
BRISTOL see also WHITCHURCH
BRISTOL: Temporary balloon ascent venue
NOTES: I have discovered only the barest information about this event which appears to have taken place during May 1785. It was recorded that this balloon travelled twenty-nine miles in half an hour which is hard to believe by todays balloon flying standards. However, there are many records of balloon flights being undertaken in the 19thcentury especially, even in gale force winds! The launch itself was invariably in a confined and protected location but the landings – or crashes – were often spectacular.
BRISTOL: Temporary airfield?
NOTES: It is recorded that in early 1910 a Mr C Pride was experimenting with a monoplane in the Bristol area. Is anything now known about this subject? From where and for how long was the site used? And for that matter, did it fly etc?
BRISTOL: Temporary Landing Ground (See seperate listing for MANGOTSFIELD)
NOTES: In the May 18th 1912 edition of Flight a basic itinerary of the Daily Mail thirteen week tour of the south-west of England by Henri Salmet was given, with the stated intention of making ‘Bristol the HQ’. Salmet certainly reached Bath, see the NEWTON St LOE listing, but it appears he did not like the look of the County Ground planned for his arrival in Bristol, and landed at a site in Mangotsfield instead.
BRISTOL: Temporary aerodrome?
NOTES: On the 3rd and 4th of June 1933 Sir Alan Cobham’s No.2 Tour displayed in/near Bristol. Does anybody now know the venue for these displays?
BRISTOL DOWNS: Temporary airfield perhaps?
NOTES: A photograph exists of a RFC Parnall-built Avro 504K E3254 attributed to being taken at Bristol Downs probably in 1918. I have yet to discover where the “Bristol Downs” are, but they could of course be in SOMERSET and probably are?
WHAT A MESS
As a general rule Bristol is mostly in GLOUCESTERSHIRE north of the River Avon. South of the Avon it is in SOMERSET and it must be remembered that these County boundaries still apply. Only an act of Parliament can change them. However, when it comes to the machinations of local government in defining their administrative boundaries, although not the worst in the UK by any means, this area is a right mess.
Depending on how cynical you might be, with several changes along the way since WW2, one does have to wonder about the reasons for these changes. It is for example alledged that making these changes easily allows local officials and their dealings to be hidden in a quagmire of paperwork, to hide suspicious deals regarding property developments and so on. Need I say more?
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
