Itford - UK Airfield Guide

Now having 7,000 + listed!

Probably becoming the most extensive British flying sites guide online...?

portfolio1 portfolio2 portfolio3 portfolio4

Heading 1

This is an example of the content for a specific image in the Nivo slider. Provide a short description of the image here....

Heading 2

This is an example of the content for a specific image in the Nivo slider. Provide a short description of the image here....

Heading 3

This is an example of the content for a specific image in the Nivo slider. Provide a short description of the image here....

Heading 4

This is an example of the content for a specific image in the Nivo slider. Provide a short description of the image here....

small portfolio1 small portfolio2 small portfolio3 small portfolio4
themed object
A Guide to the history of British flying sites within the United Kingdom
get in touch

Itford


ITFORD:  The first major gliding event held in the U.K.


Organised by:   Royal Aero Club and sponsored by the Daily Mail.

Location:  Three sites on the northern part of the South Downs, roughly spread E from Itford, about 2.5nm N to NE from Newhaven town centre, and stretching E from Lewes town centre, very roughly 3nm to the NW.  

Period of operation:  16th to 21st October 1922



NOTES:  As a general rule, in the U.K. in those days, (has anything changed since?), the people at the top of society are very gifted at making their way into positions of authority. But, when it comes to understanding practical matters of every kind, they mostly and invariably display utter ignorance, total incompetence, and can often be regarded as basically being very stupid. Including our Prime Ministers, Tony Blair being a fine example, supporting the invasion of Iraq. against huge public demonstrations.

So, why on earth was it arranged to hold this event in October? Obviously none of those in charge bothered to notify the weather Gods in charge of the winds. (No e-mail available in those days). A time of year, when, in the U.K, very unsettled weather can usually be predicted. The main flying site on Itford Hill, facing west, was ideal, no doubt about that, but, as said, the ancient weather Gods, always looking for mischief, had other ideas.

Synoptic chart 20th October
Synoptic chart 20th October
Hence, with the high pressure system creating easterly winds, Itford Hill had to be abandoned and Beddingham Hill along with Firle Beacon being used instead.

The event had been widely publicised and thousands turned up to witness the competition, the Daily Mail offering a £1,000 prize to the winner. This being roughly about £70,000 today, (in 2025). What we need to remember, as so often, the U.K. was lagging behind, in this case regarding gliding. After WW1 when Germany was forbidden to develop powered aircraft, they took to gliding with much enthusiasm. And, soon became world leaders.

But, the French had, in the early years, pioneered powered flight - and learnt a thing or two along the way. So perhaps we should not be too much surprised that a French design and pilot won the event. With a design that to my eyes could not be less 'glider-like' in its configuration. 


A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY

We have Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', to thank for providing the copious amount of items shown below. His maps and Google Earth © images being very much appreciated.


ADVANCE NOTICES

Short article One
Short article One
Short article Two
Short article Two


The Short article One was published in the Evening News on the 25th September, and, the Short article Two was published in The Aeroplane on the 11th October 1922. With, (I imagine), so much advance notice of this most notable event being spread around, it can hardly be surprising how many spectators turned up.
 

THE FOUR MAIN LOCATIONS

The official map
The official map
Photo showing the HQ
Photo showing the HQ
Local area map c.1948
Local area map c.1948


The 'official map' was published in The Aeroplane on the 18th October. The photo showing the HQ is from The Old Flying Days by Charles Turner.


 

DIAGRAMS OF SIX OF THE COMPETING GLIDERS + PLUS A COMPOSITE PICTURE

1st page
1st page
Second page
Second page
Opening day
Opening day


All three of these items were published in The Aeroplane on the 18th October 1922. Note the diversity of basic design configurations compared to today.



 

MY COMMENT

With so much content to choose from I have made the decision to create sub-sections for the main sources, in no particular order of preference. So, to start, all these items are from The Story of Gliding by Ann Welch. 

Excerpt One
Excerpt One
Excerpt Two
Excerpt Two
Photo One
Photo One


Photo One is of Bardot in the Dewoitine. I do not think this is a 'trick' picture, the glider being superimposed as was common practice for many a year in those days.


Photo Two
Photo Two
Photo Three
Photo Three
Photo Four
Photo Four
Accident report
Accident report




 

Photo Two is of F P Raynham. Photo Three is of the plucky but unlucky G W Cain. It appears he managed a 'bounce'. Photo Four is of Herne in the DH52. Am I mistaken in thinking, looking at this picture, that the left wing is already showing signs of twisting so severe that it was breaking up soon after being launched? The accident report has been obtained from ASN Flight Safety.org.

 

ITFORD HILL

Local map c.1948
Local map c.1948
Google Earth © view
Google Earth © view
Local area map
Local area map











 


ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS 21st OCTOBER 1922


Photo One
Photo One
Photo Two
Photo Two
Photo Three
Photo Three
Photo Four
Photo Four










 

BEDDINGHAM HILL

Local map c1948
Local map c1948
Google Earth © view
Google Earth © view
Local area map
Local area map












 

FLIGHT MAGAZINE, 19th and 26th OCTOBER 1922


Photo One
Photo One


Perhaps rather surprisingly, it appears that Flight only featured this picture of some notable people at FIRLE BEACON in the 19th October issue. What I think is very interesting indeed, is that several very important people in aviation, including those manufacturing powered aircraft, decided to attend this event.
 




Photo Two
Photo Two
Photo Three
Photo Three
Photo Four
Photo Four











Photo Five
Photo Five
Photo Six
Photo Six
Photo Seven
Photo Seven
Photo Eight
Photo Eight
  






 

Photo Three and Eight show the winner of the event. A more ungainly glider design ever? But it obviously worked, very well indeed.  

 

FIRLE BEACON


Local map c.1948
Local map c.1948
Google Earth © view
Google Earth © view
Local area view
Local area view











 

A COUPLE OF PRESS ITEMS


Article Part One
Article Part One
Article Part Two
Article Part Two
Excerpt
Excerpt


The two part article was published in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph on the 17th October. The excerpt is from the Derby Daily Telegraph, published on the 20th October.



 

THE AEROPLANE MAGAZINE, 18th and 25th OCTOBER 1922


Photo One
Photo One
Photo Two
Photo Two
Photo Three
Photo Three


These items were all published on the 18th October.







 

ITEMS FROM THE 25th OCTOBER

Itford Hill Rhymes
Itford Hill Rhymes
Humours
Humours


The "Humours" were initially published in the Daily Mail, and then copied in The Aeroplane. Have to say I found it rather interesting to see what was considered amusing in those days. Most drawings barely got a grimace out of me, let alone a smile. The exception being in the top left hand corner. This being timeless of course.


 

THE WINNER

Photo
Photo
Article, Part One
Article, Part One
Article, Part Two
Article, Part Two









 

AND FINALLY

Local area view
Local area view
The End of the Day
The End of the Day
Area view
Area view


The local area and area views are from my Google Earth © derived database.





 

A COUPLE OF EXTRA COMMENTS

Most of my flying in light aircraft involved the use of a reciprocating piston thumper, driving a propeller that beat the air into submission, aided no doubt by the production of noise. Producing noise is, I would say, the main ingredient required in aviation to go anywhere a long way away more of less roughly horizantally as opposed to vertically. If you want to quickly ascend vertically, just add a lot more noise. And I do mean a lot more.  

But, when it comes to the purest and most skilful aspects of flying - it has to be gliding. Reading the air, understanding how it works, and how to take every advantage of lift it has to offer - as opposed to just boring a hole through it - as I did.

Along the way over the years I managed to get a few flights in gliders. Not just in the UK but also in France, the Czech Republic and New Zealand. These ranged from fairly old fashioned types to the very latest, and the difference was quite remarkable. Indeed, in the latest types, (albeit over ten years ago in 2025), I could fly a circuit to land in the same way I used with a powered aircraft! And, coming down on base leg and finals, needing to use the speed brakes to slow it down! Plus, in conditions that were not condusive to serious gliding.
 



 

 

We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!

 


 

Leave a comment ...


Name
 
Email:
 
Message:
 

 
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide

                                                

slide up button