North Denes
NORTH DENES: Civil aerodrome and helicopter base
(Also known as GREAT YARMOUTH - from 2023 NORTH DENES AIRPORT)
Note: All these pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Note that the helicopter runway 17/35 in the 1999 picture had changed to 18/36 in the 2006 picture.
Operated by:
1965: Anglian Air Charter Ltd
1980s: North Denes Aerodrome Ltd
1990s/2000s: Bond Helicopters Ltd
Activities: GA business and private. North Sea helicopter supply base
Helicopter ops: 1970s & 1980s: Bristow Helicopters
2000s Bond Helicopters
A MIKE CHARLTON GALLERY
Note: These pictures from postcards were kindly sent by Mike Charlton who has an amazing collection. See, www.aviationpostcard.co.uk
First picture: This I think this is very interesting. From April 1970 to June 1982 the Cessna U206A Super Skywagon G-ATLT was registered to North Denes Aerodrome Limited. I would be more than happy to be proved wrong, but I certainly do not think I have found another example of an aerodrome operator running a 'pleasure flight' operation, and, owning the aircraft to boot.
Second picture: The Auster 5 Alpha G-AKOT was operated by Anglian Air Charter from April 1956 to October 1962. Presumably mostly engaged on 'pleasure flight' operations from NORTH DENES?
Third picture: I wonder if anybody today can identify this Auster?
Pleasure flight users: Air Anglia, Anglian Air Charter, North Denes Aerodrome Ltd
Note: According to the 1957 edition of The Aeroplane directory, Anglian Air Charter were operating two Austers.
Location: W of A149, 2nm N of Great Yarmouth
Period of operation: 1950 to -
Note: These maps are reproduced with the kind permission of Pooleys Flight Equipment Ltd. Copyright Robert Pooley 2014.
Runways:
1965: E/W 457 grass N/S 457 grass
1990: 10/28 599x30 grass 18/36 340 (approx) grass
2000: More flight guide fun to be found here. In written form, although it is firmly stated that the airfield is closed to fixed wing aircraft, two runways are described:
10/28 599x30 grass 18/36 430 (approx) grass
On a later map of the airfield however, and the one I have chosen, different details are provided:
10/28 480 grass 18/36 360 grass (Pick the bones out of this if you care to!)
NOTES: It appears that this aerodrome was constructed by Mr L G Wright who established Anglian Air Charter in 1950 which was later to become Air Anglia. Light aircraft were permitted to use it if they could safely use a 1800 ft (570mtrs) runway.
It’s also possible Bristow Helicopters were using this airfield in the late 1960s.
WELCOME ADVICE AND INFORMATION
In May 2018 I was very kindly contacted by Ian Ward regarding NORTH DENES, which is well worth reproducing in full: "The third Auster on a postcard is J/5G G-ASFK, which, with J/5G G-ARNB replaced G-AKOT (destroyed in a fatal crash in August 1962) and G-AKPI (both Auster V, not Auster Alphas as the postcard suggests - Auster 5 Alphas were a civilian new build in 1956ish and 'OT and 'PI were ex military airframes). The Austers were replaced with G-ATLT and a Cessna 170B G-AWOU. Both are still extant on the register. Occasionally Cessna F172H G-AVIE flew from there, as did G-BFKB."
"Bristow Helicopters first flew from the airfield, serving the gas rigs in the southern North Sea in about 1964, initially using Whirlwind Srs 3 on floats (the picture of 'FK must have been taken before that as the Bristow hangars can't be seen). They were replaced by Wessex 60s, later Bell 212s and Sikorsky S-76s. Later the airfield was bought by CHC Scotia who were the last operators before it closed."
"LG "Wilbur" Wright owned the airfield and with Jim Crampton became some of the first directors of Air Anglia, which was formed from Anglian Air Charter, Rig-Air and Norfolk Airways. Pleasure flights stopped there in the early 80s and by the time flying ceased in 2015, fixed wing aircraft were not allowed in, only helicopters."
"I have many happy memories of North Denes, it being my local airfield when I was a teenager and I spent several happy summers in the mid-70s "scrounging" pleasure flights in the two Cessnas. I too now have a PPL and fly a PA-22 Colt from Old Buckenham."
JUST A NOTE
Ian has since informed me that the PA-22 Colt he flies is G-ARNE, first registered in July 1961. It is quite possible I saw this being delivered at LAP (London Airport) being prised out of a Pan Am Douglas DC-7C freighter, or resting in its crate in the then 'Freight' area amongst the single storey 'pre-fab' buildings.
REOPENING AUGUST 2023
The first picture was obtained from Flyer magazine. The aerial view is from my Google Earth © derived database.
Having been closed for a few years, after latterly being used as a heliport, this aerodrome reopened in August. The first landing on the 600m grass runway, was made by Mr Roy Allgood in the Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, G-AVNC. This being the first use of the aerodrome by a fixed wing aircraft in forty years.
Terry Clark
This comment was written on: 2018-01-17 11:30:28I first encountered this airfield way back in 1969 when visiting Gt Yarmouth during a boating holiday on the Norfolk Broads. One day a couple of us decided to visit the Stock Car track (which happens to adjoin the airfield) to have a go on the 'go karts'. The north - south runway was in use and it was quite busy with C150s doing circuits. Likewise when we returned for a race meeting that evening. At time of writing, I think the helicopter operation has ceased and the airfield is for sale for about £2M; any takers? I'm told the subsoil is (thankfully) unsuitable for housing
Richard Allen
This comment was written on: 2018-08-13 21:59:33Hello , I would like to use the postcard picture of the 3rd Auster G-ASFK for an article in the Yarmouth Mercury regarding my first flight in that aircraft as a young lad in the 1960s 📞07887 564423
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Richard, Yes indeed, please feel free. Best regards, Dick
Richard
This comment was written on: 2019-02-03 14:54:16Hi The only aircraft you have left out is G-APTU a two tone green Auster 5. Which replaced G-AKPI.
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