Stockton-on- Tees
Note: This map only shows the position of Stockton-on-Tees within the UK.
STOCKTON-ON-TEES: Temporary aerodrome? (Aka PORTRACK GRANGE FARM)
Location: Portrack Grange Farm, just E of Stockton-on-Tees town centre
Period of operation: 9th July 1929
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Note: The newspaper article was published in the Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail on the 10th July 1929.
Note: I have added the area view from my Google Earth © database
NOTES: Stockton-on-Tees was the planned 28th venue for Sir Alan Cobham's 1929 Municipal Aerodrome Campaign. As things turned out it was the 30th venue. As can be expected, problems arose along the way, including a couple of crashes.
This Tour started in May and ended in October with one hundred and seven towns and cities proposed to be visited. Mostly in England but with two venues in Wales and eight in Scotland. Without any doubt this Tour encouraged the creation of several aerodromes/regional airports. But not here. In the end he visited around 95 venues, which in itself was a quite remarkable achievement.
The aircraft he mostly used was the DH61 'Giant Moth' G-AAEV named 'Youth of Britain'. The punishing schedule he kept up, almost day after day, seems quite remarkable today. Typically he would fly the town worthies. There would then be a slap-up luncheon when he would extol the benefits of having an aerodrome/airport. Along the way many children would be treated to flights sponsored by Lord Wakefield. Finally he would offer joy-rides, often flying until dusk without a break. The idea being that the revenue obtained would cover the costs of the Tour.
The previous visit had been Bridlington in Yorkshire, and from here he flew to Glasgow.
Venue for CD Barnards Air Tours in June 1931. Did they both use the same location? Indeed, does anybody now know the exact location(s) they used?
Stockton-on-Tees was also a venue on the 3rd August 1933 when Cobham’s No.2 Tour visited the area. Indeed, on the 5th and 6th September Cobham’s 1934 Tour displayed in/near Stockton-on-Tees.
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
