North Perrott
NOTE: This map only gives the general area location.
NORTH PERROTT: Private airstrip, possibly airfield?
The area view is from my Google Earth© derived database.
Location: About 2nm E of Crewkerne town centre, roughly 6nm SW of Yeovil town centre
NOTES: One very important aspect of producing this 'Guide' is that it can pose questions rather than trying to provide answers which most other people prefer to do in various publications.
I was contacted by Mr Graham Frost, a long term friend of this 'Guide', who had found that the Miles M65 Gemini 3B, G-AJTG, had been registered to the North Perrott Estate Company from 23.12.58 to 28.08.65. So, with in those days having no licenced aerodromes anywhere near, it seems reasonable to suppose that, given that they had an estate, it was based here?
I then made a note that, if anybody can kindly offer advice and information, this will be much appreciated. As often said, seek and you will find, and Mike Holder, another great friend of this 'Guide' happened to notice the addition of NORTH PERROTT so kindly decided to see if anything else might be available to illustrate this listing. He soon found that, before obtaining the Miles Gemini G-AJTG, the North Perrott Estate Company had previously registered the Auster J/5P Autocar, G-AOHZ, from 28.02.56 until 22.06.59. But, he readily admits, could find no evidence of where these two aircraft were operated from on the estate. The three of us assuming of course, with enough good reason it would appear, that they were indeed based on the estate? Both would have had to be hangared, but, aircraft hangars are usually identical to farm buildings used for storage, so not much of a clue looking for signs these days.
PICTORIAL EVIDENCE
Excerpt One is from Tail Ends of the Fifties, Edition Three, by Peter Campbell. Photo One is from the Air Britain Photo Picture Library (AB Pic). Excerpt Two is from G-INFO, the CAA registration website. Photo Two from AB Pic shows G-AJTG at Brussels in Belgium, (but where?) in August 1958.
Photo Three shows G-AJTG at BLACKBUSHE around March or April 1959, obtained from Farnborough Grammar School. Excerpt Three is from G-INFO the CAA registration website. Photo Four shows G-AJTG at DENHAM, date unknown, also from AB Pics. Photo Five with caption is from Aeroplane magazine.
LAST NOTE
So, here we have quite a lot of supporting material, but as pointed out, nothing to prove where, and even if, these two aircraft were operated from here. It may well be a 'wild card' of course, but, in those days with the right connections, there are many examples of civil light aircraft being given facilities at nearby military airfields. Although the 'Cold War' was then at its height, we need to remember that there were still many military airfields left over from WW2, with ample facilities often barely used for 'front line' operations, or indeed any flying operations of any kind, but still well maintained.
As always, if anybody can kindly offer advice and information, this will be much appreciated.
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