Seaham flying sites
This map shows the position of Seaham town centre
SEAHAM: Private Landing Ground (Aka VANE TEMPEST COLLIERY)
Operated by: Lord Londonderry
Location: Just W of Seaham town centre, just SW of the Vane-Tempest colliery
Period of operation: 1933 until, presumably (?), 1939
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Here once again we have Mike Holder, a great long-term friend of this 'Guide', to thank for discovering this little known location, partially from the Trecanair project, and providing the following items to illustrate the listing.
TWO ITEMS FROM THE TRECANAIR PROJECT
Lord Londonderry was a Minister for Air from 1931 until 1935, which may well explain why he was keen to establish a Landing Ground near to his colliery in Seaham. Named the Vane Tempest colliery using two of his extended family names! Which was: Charles Stewart Henry Vane-Tempest-Stewart!
It appears that, despite the memo sent to the Automobile Association in 1933, this Landing Ground was not approved by the A.A. and therefore no map and details of the local facilities were produced. It was very wide at 170 yards (155 metres), but not long with a SW/NE run of 330 yards (302 metres). So, although giving visiting pilots a fair degree of latitude into the normal prevailing winds in the UK for landing and taking-off, for many types of aircraft expected to visit, this would be marginal.
The concept of applying a 25% margin, for safety, did not come about until decades later, and indeed, having a 'whizzo prang' was part of the fun of flying for the wealthy. Just like going to a party, getting sloshed, and jumping in the Bentley to hare off at breakneck speeds around the local lanes. Often with fatal results of course. Then again I suppose, after WW1 the urge to live life to the full, have as much fun as possible for the younger generation, appears to have been a main concern. Similar I suppose to the 'ton-up' boys on their motorbikes after WW2.
The local area and area views are from my Google Earth© derived database.
SEAHAM: Model flying site
Location: Just north of Seaham town centre, just E of the B1287
Period of operation: From about 2008 (Picture taken 30.08.2018)
NOTES: Considering the immense importance of models in the development of aviation, especially powered aircraft which still applies of course, it has been my intention to include examples of model flying sites within this 'Guide'. So imagine my delight to discover this model flying venue.
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