Mr Sadlers Field
Mr SADLER'S FIELD: Temporary aerodrome
Operated by: Capt. A F Muir
Location: N of the new A27, SSE of RAF WESTHAMPNETT, (now GOODWOOD), just NE of Chichester city centre
Period of operation: Presumably not continuously (?) from July to November 1920
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Here once again, we have Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', to thank for both discovering this little known venue and for providing the following items to illustrate the listing.
The Article One and Advert One both appeared in the Bognor Regis Observer on the 4th August 1920. Advert Two was placed in the Chichester Observer on the 18th August 1920. Article Two was published, also in the Chichester Observer, but on the 1st September 1920.
The Notice was placed, also in the Chichester Observer on the 18th August1920. The local area and area views are from my Google Earth© derived database.
NOTES: The Google Earth© view above is a great example of just how dramatically a field once used for commiting aviation can, over many years, change beyond all recognition. Once dug up for gravel extraction and now a leisure facility for boating etc.
I also find it interesting that Capt Muir elected to use an Airco DH6. The "DH" showing that it was designed by Geoffrey de Havilland when he worked for Airco based at THE HYDE in west Hendon during WW1. This being before he set up a company on his own account at STAG LANE just a few miles away after WW1. The rest as they say - is history.
LATER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
It has later transpired that Mr SADLER'S FIELD was used once again, but this time in 1926. Mike Holder has kindly provided the following items, including another 1915 map which shows the position of the Swan Inn which is referred to in the article below. The Southern Counties Aviation Co. used the field from the 21st to the 26th August 1926.
The excerpt is from Avro Aircraft since 1908 by A J Jackson.
The Article Three, in four parts, was published in the Bognor Regis Observer on the 25th August 1926.
MORE NOTES: So, here we have the known records to date. I have to wonder if Mr Sadler's Field was only used twice? If anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be much appreciated.
All three Avros operated by Southern Counties Aviation based at BROOKLANDS were the 504K variant. By far the most favoured type amongst joy-riding/display operators during the 1920s. Not least because spares were plentiful, relatively cheap, and often enabled quite badly damaged examples to be rebuilt. Very much the case with G-EASG, which, first registered as G-EAFX (ex H6543), was wrecked in a gale during August 1919. Southern Counties had it registered to them from 06.05.25 until 02.09.26 - therefore making one of its last appearances here with that company.
G-EBKS was a 'bitsa', made from bits of this and bits of that, all without any known history. Southern Counties appear to have built it up and registered it from 08.06.25 until 06.02.28. Another example of the paper trail taking a long time to catch up as it seems that it was declared WFU (Withdrawn From Use) at BROOKLANDS 09.06.27.
G-EAAY (ex C724) was first registered 07.05.19, and joined Southern Counties in 1926. Was still flying with another owner in 1932.
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