Chalgrove - UK Airfield Guide

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Chalgrove





CHALGROVE: Military aerodrome later company civil airfield

Chalgrove in July 2003
Chalgrove in July 2003

Note: Pictures by the author unless specified.
 

Military user: WW2: USAAF 8th & 9th Air Forces

7 & 10 PG     (Photographic Group)
 

Manufacturing: Martin-Baker Aircraft Co.     Test facility from 1948 to present day
 

Location: N of B480, E of A329, 8nm SE of Oxford

Period of operation: 1943 to -

Chalgrove in 2000
Chalgrove in 2000

Note: This map is reproduced with the kind permission of Pooleys Flight Equipment Ltd. Copyright Robert Pooley 2014.

Runways: WW2: 07/25   1280x46   hard           14/32   1828x46   hard
                         01/19   1280x46   hard

2000: 06/24   1325x46   hard           13/31   1830x46   hard
         18/36   1276x46   hard

 

NOTES: In 1977 the Douglas Dakota 6 G-APML and DH.104 Dove 8 of Martin Baker (Engineers) were based here.

Getting permission to fly into CHALGROVE is normally pretty difficult but in October 2004 I managed it by helping in reporting a remarkable story for Commercial Motor magazine whereby a highly modified distribution truck now helps to enable Martin Baker to keep two Gloster Meteors flying. In effect, this ex-distribution truck, operated by Martin-Baker, was modified by Croft Bros in Uxbridge to become the next best thing to a 'drag racer'. Prior to this Martin-Baker had been using a Meteor, less its outer wings, for high-speed ejection trials. A very costly exercise and of course, a wasteful use of such a valuable aircraft.

And, these were the two oldest military jets in the world, then still on charge to the Ministry of Defence and fully operational. Perhaps they still are?


PICTURES

The stunning highly polished Gloster Meteor T.7 WA638  (Modified) in its hangar
The stunning highly polished Gloster Meteor T.7 WA638  (Modified) in its hangar
The two Meteors
The two Meteors
Another view of WA638
Another view of WA638
The Meteor WA638, outside its hangar on a wet and dismal day
The Meteor WA638, outside its hangar on a wet and dismal day

November Uniform on the apron, 13.10.2004
November Uniform on the apron, 13.10.2004
November Uniform, Meteor WA638 and test truck
November Uniform, Meteor WA638 and test truck


Note: In the  sixth picture the truck modified by Croft Brothers can be seen which an ejector seat mounted for test.








 

 

 

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