Thrussington
THRUSSINGTON: Possible private airstrip/airfield? Gliding site in the 1930s
This local view is from my Google Earth© derived database.
A QUESTION?
The first important point to make is that this 'Guide' is just as much about posing questions, rather than attempting to provide answers. Also, over the years, just a tiny clue has, over time, sometimes revealed quite a significant flying site from many years ago. SOMERFORD BRIDGE in Hampshire being a notable example.
In this case Mr Graham Frost, a great long-term friend of this 'Guide', has thrown us a classic case regarding THRUSSINGTON. He found from the Civil Aircraft Register that the Chrislea Aircraft Company based at HESTON, had registered their Chrislea LC.1 Airguard, G-AFIN, from 07.07.38 until 02.06.45. Hardly surprising I suppose that it wasn't impressed at the start of WW2, (see info below), so presumably stored.
G-AFIN was then purchased by Mr James W Haggas, who registered it for just a few days, from 28.05.45 until 02.06.45. This in itself being most unusual. But, here's the question begging to be asked, as his address was near Keighley in West Yorkshire, but, the base for G-AFIN was given as "Thrussington, near Leicester". As Graham points out, Thrussington is close to both RATCLIFFE-on-the-WREAKE and REARSBY, so why THRUSSINGTON? One answer is that RATCLIFFE-on-the-WREAKE was closing down in 1945, and REARSBY, being the Auster factory was in full-scale production mode.
So, it seems likely that there may well have been a private airstrip/airfield near Thrussington village in 1945? If anybody can kindly offer any advice and information, this will be much appreciated.
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
In May 2026, having made this listing, I decided to ask Mike Holder, another great long-term friend of this 'Guide', if he could find anything relating to THRUSSINGTON? Mike has an amazing knack of tracking down press items, published info, pictures and maps, and sure enough soon found several items relating to the scant information above.
I should point out that quite soon after starting this project, over a quarter of a century ago in 2026, I made one cardinal rule : Do not make assumptions! Then again, what are rules for if not to be broken? In this case therefore, I have made not one, but several assumptions. I prefer to think of them as being simple questions of course.
ASSUMPTION ONE
This article was published in the Melton Mowbray Times and Vale of Belvoir Gazette on the 20th March 1931. This implies to me that the gliding site being used by the Leicestershire Gliding Club on this occasion was not a one-off event? Indeed, possibly even being a regular site?
ASSUMPTION TWO
The photo is of James William Haggas, who was an ATA Ferry Pilot from the 30th June 1944 until the 15th April 1945. As RATCLIFFE-on-the-WREAKE was an ATA base during WW2, it seems reasonable to suppose that he may well have visited it, or even been stationed here? Either way, probably resulting in him becoming familiar with the local area.
The Notice of James W Haggas being awarded a Royal Aero Club Aviators Certificate on the 13th June 1949, was published in Flight magazine on the 4th August1949. I have no idea about the regulations applying at the time, but clearly he saw an advantage in then having a civil pilots qualification.
ASSUMPTION THREE
My attention in this photo was drawn to a large area, perhaps divided by fences in 1945, just S to SW of Thrussington village and just north of the River Wreake. Orientated into the prevailing winds, this would seem an ideal location for committing aviation?
THE CHRISLEA LC.1 AIRGUARD, G-AFIN
Mike has also kindly provided us with these six items obtained from The Aviation Historian No.8.
Photos of G-AFIN at HESTON in 1938
TEXT INFORMATION
NOTES: Please note that the informaton at the end of the text items above from The Aviation Historian No.8, do not agree with the information the three of us have assembled. As said at the start of this listing, this 'Guide' being very much a project about posing questions, rather than seeking to provide definitive answers. As always, if anybody can kindly offer advice and extra information, this will be much appreciated.
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