Portfield
PORTFIELD: Civil Landing Ground
Note: The photo and the map were kindly supplied by Mr Michael T Holder. The other two pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Operated by: Portfield Recreation Committee
Location: “1.25m W of town, N of B4327 on disused racecourse” Now a recreation park
Period of operation: 1930s only? (Apparently May 1922 to Sepyember 1939)
Runway(s): Max landing run: 457 grass
NOTES: Original info source ‘AA Landing Grounds’ publication, 1930s. This was one of the some seventy AA (Automobile Association) approved Landing Grounds in the 1930s, but it took many years of research into the bigger picture, when by chance a fuller picture emerged.
Fuel was available from T H Jacks & Sons, Portfield Garage and transport (typically a taxi service) was on hand from, “The Garage, Albert-Town”. Albert Town is now in the south-west part of Haverfordwest. But what tickles my fancy is that the nearest telephone was in the bakers shop of A James & Sons in Albert-Town in 1933.
I am without any doubt guilty of stereotyping the wealthy and famous who could afford to fly privately in those days, but struggle to envisage, for example, 'The Honourable Gentry-Toff Esq' landing at PORTFIELD in his 'Miles Better' and appearing in the bakers doorway requesting use of their telephone.
On a more serious note does anybody now know who, and how often, pilots used this Landing Ground in the 1930s? It now seems without doubt that this was the venue, on the 29th August 1932 for Sir Alan Cobham's National Aviation Day display tour.
Michael Holder
This comment was written on: 2020-05-13 17:12:03Frame WPW040055 WALES (1932) from Britain from Above - a shot taken across Havardfordwest looking west shows the airfield at the top of the frame; and if you look right at the top and just right of centre, you can see at least 5 bi-planes. They are just to the north of the road that cuts through the disused racecourse. The site is now a cricket pitch.
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