Spittlegate Heath
SPITTLEGATE HEATH: Temporary Landing Ground
Operated by: Mr R H Carr and Mons. Phillipe Marty
Location: Just NW of Whalebone Lane, about 1.75nm SE of Grantham town centre
Period of operation: 21st & 22nd April 1914
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
We have Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', to thank for both discovering this location, and investigating it. These two aviators had departed from HENDON on the 21st April, on the behest of Claude Grahame-White to attend a charity event at BLANKNEY, (see seperate listing). They decided to divert here and we do not know the precise reason - possibly low cloud or fog, or indeed a combination?
These conditions are common enough in Lincolnshire, (and South Yorkshire), as many RAF bomber crews in WW2 will happily testify. Much doubt that they, once the USAAF started arriving in the UK during 1942, and mostly given far better airfields to operate from, especially weatherwise in East Anglia, were happy to be banished up here. Many having to live in very primitive facilities. No fun at all in the winter.
A FULSOME ACCOUNT
This article, in five parts, was published in the Grantham Journal on the 25th April 1914.
The Google Street View was taken looking south from the A52 towards this location.
These three pictures are from my Google Earth © derived database.
NOTES: Flying light aircraft, anywhere in the world, can often be an education - and not least in the UK with our often very unpredictable and volatile weather. So pehaps you can kindly indulge my account giving just one example. In late August 2002 I had decided that we, my wife and I, would fly north from TOP FARM. The Cessna I had booked had been pranged, so I elected to take the group Cessna C150, G-DENB, which at that time was at BOURN. And if anybody thinks you cannot go touring in a Cessna 150, they are mistaken. Snug fit of course, but a great little machine.
Typical changeable English summer weather. Flew to TATTENHILL, COAL ASTON then to CROSLAND MOOR for a night stop. Following morning off to WICKENBY and then to TOLLERTON. Oh yes, I did then know how to arrange a romantic weekend!!! (Touring aerodromes). When at TOLLERTON had a urgent WARNING. Thick fog coming in from the east at speed. So, a hasty departure.
Flying south to connect with the A14, (which would lead south-east to BOURN), it got murkier and murkier and the radio was alive with other light aircraft diverting left, right and centre. Diverted a bit north of track to confirm that RAF WYTON was exactly where I thought it should be, and it was, so just about 10 miles to go heading SSE, which was good enough - could still see, but only just, where we were going. A market had been held that day on the aerodrome and they were still clearing up and aircraft operations were prohibited. Were not at all pleased to see us arrive of course, but once I explained the situation they calmed down. "Sorry, no choice, had to land - thick fog coming in."
This experience did make me think about what, for example, bomber crews in WW2 must have faced. Shattered an fatigued after a mission, often with a damaged aircraft, having to decide what to do for the best outcome. Plus of course, mostly youngsters in their teens and twenties. Sadly, very sadly, many perished, not just on the missions, but just trying to get home on Blighty.
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
