Porthcawl
PORTHCAWL see also REST BAY and LOCK'S COMMON
Note: REST BAY and LOCK'S COMMON were the same site, and also often referred to as PORTHCAWL.
PORTHCAWL: Civil Landing Ground (Seasonal only presumably?)
Users: Occasional airshows and joy-riding operations
Pleasure flights: Avro Transport Co, Modern Airways, Pine's Airways
Location: Flying ground, The Front.
Note: I now suspect this was the 'beach' address for the Avro Transport Co.
There was a grass aerodrome located nearby since 1919, see LOCK'S COMMON and REST BAY listings.
Period of operation: The beach: 1919 to 1920 only?
REST BAY / LOCK'S COMMON since 1919 to 1939
It appears that the Berkshire Aviation Company held a 'Flying Circus' event here, from LOCK'S COMMON from the 10th July until the 14th August 1920.
Runway(s) : On the sands initially it but later a grass airfield was used (see picture above).
Note: By 2018, given the research over twenty years , I now suspect that Avro Transport used the beach initially (?), and perhaps later operations took place from the grass airfield location at REST BAY? Avro Transport often used seaplane versions of their 504 types at seaside resorts.
NOTES:
Typical of the confusion surrounding many sites I found that Modern Airways, (of “The Crimson Fleet” fame), apparently de-camped from their base, or formed another base, in Porthcawl in August 1932. Almost certainly at REST BAY?
AVRO 504K G-EAKX (A rare picture?)
This picture was very kindly sent to me by Mike Charlton who has the most amazing collection of UK aviation postcards. (www.aviationpostcard.co.uk) It certainly seems this could well be a rare picture of the type of minimal joy-riding operation which existed in that era, using just one aeroplane. Investigation reveals that G-EAKX was registered to Lancelot John Riminer (?) and William Mackay based at HOOTON PARK (CHESHIRE).
The reason for the question mark after 'Riminer' is simply because official records were handwritten in those days, and the person given the task had rather poor handwriting - see the G-INFO website. It appears that G-EAKX, a three-seater classified as aerobatic was on the UK register from 26.07.33 to 08.12.36. This seems quite typical of the period, as few of these operations succeeded in prospering. Without any doubt, this picture was taken at REST BAY/LOCK'S COMMON.
COBHAM'S 'FLYING CIRCUS' DISPLAYS
I always feel a bit guilty when describing the venues used by the Cobham Tours as 'Flying Circus' venues, because he detested the term. However, just like 'Hoover' becoming the generic term for vacuum cleaners, the term 'Flying Circus' has stuck for these displays in the inter-war years, during the 1920s and 30s.
Venue, 3rd June 1932, for Sir Alan Cobham’s National Aviation Day UK Display Tour?
On the 27th May 1933 Cobham’s No.2 Tour displayed in/near Porthcawl and there seems to be an interesting ‘rest day’ on the 26th May between their display in Cardigan on the 25th. It seems the No.2 Tour had been flying continuously since the middle of April! However, if you look at the itinerary for the No.1 Tour in 1933 no rest days seem included.
But, perhaps just flying to Ireland on the 30th June and returning on the 17th July, plus yet again flying to Ireland on the 11th September and flying back on the 2nd October were considered by Sir Alan to be restful enough flights to count as “rest days?”
A VISIT BY FLYING BOATS
It appears that two Supermarine flying boats paid a visit to PORTHCAWL in September 1927, en route from Plymouth to Pembroke. See, second article below.
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
We have Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', to thank for researching this location and sorting out the differences between PORTHCAWL, LOCK'S COMMON and REST BAY, the latter two being the same place! However, each of these locations has its own listing simply because, as I had found over the years, a considerable degree of confusion can easily arise depending on what references can be discovered. The most comprehensive gallery from Mike can be found in the REST BAY listing.
The first article was published in the Porthcawl News on the 13th May 1920, and the Notice on the 16th June 1921. The second article, about the flying boats was published in the Western Mail on the 8th September 1927. Note that the remarkably ill-informed reporter refers to "super marine" flying boats. They were of course flying boats manufactured by Supermarine in Southampton.
MORE INFO
In August 2023 Mr Graham Frost, another great friend of this 'Guide', discovered that the de Havilland DH83 Fox Moth, G-ACEX, was registered to Pine's Airways Ltd with the address, Newton Porthcawl, from 15.04.36 to 29.12.39. That last date being the same as when it was impressed as X2866, presumably to serve in the RAF?
See REST BAY for the actual location.
However, its main base was listed as Cardiff. Presumably in those days SPLOTTS FORESHORE, later known as PENGAM MOORS.
Andrew Downie
This comment was written on: 2018-11-08 12:42:23Have been investigating a certificate of my grandmother's, who flew a joyride in a Berkeley Aviation Avro biplane in August 1920 from "Porthcawl Aerodrome". Googling Berkeley Aviation finds a couple of articles, including one showing G-EAKX appeared to be one of theirs at one time. Are you sure your photo isn't from the 1920s?
Andrew Downie
This comment was written on: 2018-11-08 13:08:14Sorry that should read "Berkshire Aviation Company" but maybe you knew that. Cobham was one of its founders I believe.
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Andrew, I am fairly certain the picture was from the 1930s. Alan Cobham was not one of the founders, but he may well have flown with them as a pilot in the early days. Best regards, Dick
Dick Flute
This comment was written on: 2018-12-02 23:48:43Hi Andrew, My apologies. Subsequent research reveals you are correct. Alan Cobham was indeed one of the founder members of Berkshire Aviation Company. Best regards, Dick
Michael Holder
This comment was written on: 2020-05-13 17:45:56Britain from Above frame WAW006970 WALES (1947) is an excellent shot covering Rest Bay and Locks Common. If you look at the shot there is a field just south of the Convalescent Home with 2 white huts. I think the photo you have of G-EAKX is located in that field or the next one down and at the eastern end of the field. From the shadow the ac is pointing northerly - sun is high and shining down on the tail plane end, wing shadow is ahead of the ac, starboard wing pointing to the wall - ergo wall is pointing northerly. Can't see any field walls like that on Locks Common.
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