Thatcham Farm
THATCHAM FARM: Temporary aerodrome
Note: It needs to be remembered that, even if used for only one day, the 'Flying Circus' venues from the late 1920s were officially licensed aerodromes. All inspected beforehand by men from the Ministry initially although some operators were later allowed to be self-certifying.
Note: The two maps and the picture were kindly supplied by Mr Michael T Holder.
The 2018 area view was obtained from Google Earth ©
Operated by: Sir Alan Cobham's National Aviation Day No.2 Tour
Location: S of the A4, in Thatcham and about 0.5nm NW of the railway station, about 3nm E of Newbury town centre
Period of operation: 28th April 1933
NOTES: I can take no credit for this. It was Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide' who did the research for the maps and that fabulous air-to-air picture. In fact the published venue site was Newbury, which I did have listed.
The picture is also useful in illustrating that although Cobham's company, National Aviation Displays Ltd, did own sixteen aircraft for the 1933 display season, they did hire in other people. For example this picture shows three Avro 504 types. G-EBGZ and G-EBIS were Avro 504Ks and owned by Mr L Rimmer, who usually flew G-EBIS. G-EBHE was an Avro 504N and was owned by Mr William Mackay who was based at HOOTON PARK in CHESHIRE.
Clearly seen below is a Cierva C.19 autogyro. Two were owned by NAD Ltd, one for each tour, and these were G-ABUC and G-ABFZ.
Later Mike Holder did some more research comparing various old pictures, and found that at this venue were five aircraft owned by NAD Ltd:
Two DH.82 Tiger Moths: G-ABUL and G-ACEZ
Two DH.83 Fox Moths: G-ACEY and G-ACEZ
And the Airspeed Ferry: G-ABSI
Plus, the Spartan 3-seater, G-EBYH owned by Aerofilms Ltd
There would have been several more of course.
SOME MORE INFORMATION, MAPS and PICS
In 2025 Mike Holder kindly took it upon himself to scan the 1919 press archives, and one subject failed to produce any results. Namely, the very first venue used by the Berkshire Aviation Company at THATCHAM when they started operations in 1919, and used from the 27th to the 29th April 1919. Perhaps, at first, they simply posted notices on suitable local poles, trees etc (?), before realising that adverts placed in the local press were more effective.
So, we do not know the exact location, but both Mike and I agree that, looking at old maps, surely the THATCHAM FARM location later used by Sir Alan Cobham's NAD No.2 Tour in 1933, is by far the most suitable field? Just look at the size of it on the 1915 map. If anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be most welcome.
The 1943 aerial vertical photo got me thinking. Was this perhaps one of the major inland assembly depots provided for storing supplies prior to the D-Day invasion?
This last 1993 photo is a bonus of course, not least because it includes one of the two Airspeed AS4 Ferry types commissioned by Sir Alan Cobham for his National Aviation Day tours from 1932 to 1935.
There is a saying in aviation circles that if it looks right - it is right. But of course every rule has an exception, and the AS4 Ferry is a great example. Certainly a serious contender for the ugliest aircraft ever designed (?), it was in fact nigh on perfect for its role as a STOL 'airliner' of that era. Very reliable in service, stable and, it seems, quite easy to fly once the unusual configuration of the three engines, the resultant thrust being well above the more normal practice of having engines aligned more along the fuselage centreline, was soon mastered.
To explain, very simply adding thrust in most designs results in a pitching up effect, which is why most modern airliners have their engines mounted below the wings. Having egines mounted higher up, adding thrust results in a pitching down effect. Simply put all aircraft fly according to very basic principals based around the centre of gravity. So, imagine an aircraft suspended in the air on a string or wire. Obviously it should be balanced, which is why so much attention is paid when booking in, to get your baggage weighed.
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