Lashenden
LASHENDEN: Military temporary airfield later civil aerodrome
(Still often known as HEADCORN but in WW2 HEADCORN was actually an ALG (Advanced Landing Ground) about 2nm to the north. See HEADCORN - KENT)
Note. All pictures by the author unless specified.
Military users: WW2 RAF Fighter Command 11 Group
ALG (Advanced Landing Ground)
Operated by: 1980s & 1990s: Mr C J Freeman
2000: Mr J P A Freeman
2001: Shenley Farms (Engineering)
Activities: Post 1945: GA private, training and parachuting/sky diving
Flying club/schools: Bateleur Aviation, Hall Aviation, Seawings Instruction Services (see also MEDWAY MARINE),The Tiger Club, Weald Air Services
Helicopter ops: Thurston Helicopters
Location: S of River Beult, next to the A274, WSW of Smarden Bell village, 8nm SE of Maidstone
Period of operation: Military 1943 to 1945. Later civil to - (listed as active in 1975 for private aircraft)
Note: This map is reproduced with the kind permission of Pooleys Flight Equipment Ltd. Copyright Robert Pooley 2014.
Runways: WW2: Steel matting 01/19 1463 grass 11/29 1280 grass
1990/2000: 11/29 796x30 grass 04/22 549x30 grass
By 2007 runway 04/22 had been changed to 03/21 and, when an application to license this runway was made the length was reduced to 312m. The application was later withdrawn.
NOTES: Base for Tiger Club since 1990 (See REDHILL - SURREY for more history of this amazing Club). In or around 2016 the Tiger Club moved to DAMYNS HALL in ESSEX.
C J FREEMAN
A mention must be made of Mr C J Freeman who was truly one of the old school of flyers and a book really should be written about him. (Maybe it has?). I fondly remember him very well, operating the radio seated in his ‘control post’ office surrounded by mountains of paperwork, and always ready to modestly slip an account of his flying adventures which always topped ours by a mile. Although he could see little from the window he always seemed to know exactly what was going on in the air and heaven help anyone calling up for an overhead join as parachuting nearly always took place! I distinctly remember for example, flying in from France and asking if a straight in approach was approved? If convenient you’d probably get the reply, “Seems like a good idea”. On the first visit when flying in from France I asked him if our flight plan had arrived, (it normally doesn’t - or didn't from France incidentally), and if the Customs men would need to see us? To which he replied, “I’m the Customs around here”.
THE TIGER CLUB
Still saying they are based at HEADCORN, (according to advertising), the famous Tiger Club, (originally based at REDHILL), were typically offering a unique fleet of classic aircraft to train on and hire in 2006. Full members paid £120 per year, (very reasonable?), to get access to fly solo three Turbulents, (£45 per/hr), one Jodel D.150, (£85 per/hr), one PA-18 Super Cub, (also £85 per/hr), two DH.82A Tiger Moths, (£120 per/hr), and a Stampe SV.4C (£140 per/hr). See REDHILL (SURREY) for more history on this amazing Club.
Also of interest in 2006, to me at least (?), was that Weald Air Services, (also believing they were based at HEADCORN rather than LASHENDEN), were offering within their fleet of two Cessna 150s, two Cessna 152s, two Cessna 172s, one Piper PA-28 and a Piper PA-34 Seneca, plus four Robin types. Two DR400/108s, one DR400/120 and one DR400/160, and a ‘ragwing’ Piper PA-22 Colt. I do believe this is/was an unique opportunity to fly a ‘classic’ nosewheel Colt in the UK? A few years ago I flew a tailwheel version operated by the West London Aero Club at WHITE WALTHAM but I pretty certain it has been many years since any other flying club has offered the 'classic' tricycle Colt?
A PERSONAL MEMORY
I had been tasked with moving the Vans RV.8 (G-NISH) several times before delivering it to LASHENDEN for final assembly and flight testing. Having moved so many fabulous aeroplanes over the years it would be impossible to single one out as the best. But, having said this, this aeroplane built by Nick Hampton and Shaun Sharman, both professional aircrew with British Airways, (although Nick was retired), certainly ranks amongst the best.
LASHENDEN PICTURES
Note: The DH.82A Tiger Moth G-ACDC (second picture from the left) is reputed to be the oldest Tiger Moth still flying in the world, it being built at STAG LANE (LONDON) in 1933. However, as with most aeroplanes of this age, this very much a case of 'the old roadsweeper still having his original broom' despite it having had countless new heads and handles fitted along the way. The most serious accident it has suffered (or so I believe) occurred at an air display at ROCHESTER (KENT) in September 1963 when being used for a low level exhibition of 'crazy flying'.
As a young teenager, together with my very good friend Mike Parker, (we had decided to visit this air show using bus routes despite living next to Heathrow), this crash happened almost in front of us, but we heard and saw nothing until it was over - and then noticed a very crumpled mess on the grass. Fortunately the pilot, Neville Browning, escaped without injury despite the Tiger performing a series of cartwheels. Then again, as has been proven on many occassions, the Tiger Moth is, in modern parlance, not so much an aeroplane as a flying 'crumple zone'.
ANOTHER PERSONAL MEMORY
In late August 2005, for a quick birthday 'jolly' to Lille in northern France, on the return we landed at LASHENDEN for Customs purposes. Needless to say perhaps, nobody from HMRC turned up. I really must point out that in the summer, the city centre of Lille, hardly the most popular tourist destination, is a most delightful place to visit.
The GA facilities at the airport were first class; including a professionally staffed Met office. As was the free minibus service offered to GA visitors to visit the terminal for refreshments. And, the landing fees were very reasonable too. It is such a shame the airports in the UK, mostly, take so little pride in being a community asset. But of course the French have, traditionally, always outshone the British in this respect.
For example I have seen, on a few occassions, large family gatherings in restaurants at French regional airports to celebrate, for example, a major birthday event or similar. The restaurant obviously being held in high regard.
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
