West Common racecourse
WEST COMMON (RACECOURSE): Civil aerodrome
Note: As can be seen below, my previous notes only showed my knowledge of WEST COMMON being used from 1915. Then, in January 2020 I was very kindly sent these pictures by Julian Fisk, Community projects manager with City of Lincoln Council. Which really changes the history. It appears, for example that WEST COMMON was a staging post in the Daily Mail 'Circuit of Britain' air race held in July 1912.
First picture: As can be seen B C Hucks Blériot is sporting 'Daily Mail' on its wings, and the race number '16'.
Second picture: This picture is very interesting and seems to show W H Ewens 80hp Caudron biplane being repaired, presumably after nosing-over when landing? The clues being that half a propeller is missing, as is the tail/rudder assembly. During the 1912 Daily Mail air race presumably, as the lower RH wing clearly shows these markings.
Third picture: Can anybody kindly offer advice? Apparently showing W H Ewen, also in a Caudron. But when?
Fourth picture: Almost certainly during WW1 or just after? My guess is that this is a Sopwith type?
Used by: Manufacturers aerodrome for Clayton & Shuttleworth, Marshall & Sons, Robey & Co, Ruston Proctor & Co. 1915 to 1919
Note: Military Aeronautical Inspection site from 1915 to 1917; then re-designated as an Aircraft Acceptance Park in 1918 before transferring to BRACEBRIDGE HEATH in late 1918
Note: This first picture, taken at Alderman's Walk clearly shows part of the large WW1 hangars, and the second picture, looking SW, were also kindly sent to me by Julian Frisk. RAF SKELLINGTHORPE can be clearly seen in the background. Can it be dated?
The second and third pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Location: About 1nm W to WNW of Lincoln city centre
Period of operation: 1915 to 1919
Site area: 129 acres 914 x 640 grass
NOTES: It was quite common practice in WW1 for aircraft built in factories to be towed, on their wheels, the tail being attached to a lorry, which had the wings etc, to a nearby airfield for final assembly and flight testing.
However, it appears that large aircraft, such as the Handley Page 0/400 and Vickers Vimy, produced by Clayton & Shuttleworth, were flown out. See HANDLEY PAGE FIELD for more information.
SURVIVAL and RESTORATION
Here again, Julian Frisk has kindly sent me these two pictures of a mural, depicting the Royal Flying Corps badge from 1917. They are in the grandstand at WEST COMMON, and in a room once used by the RFC. Perhaps the officers mess? Incredible it has survived for a hundred years, and now beautifully restored.
ANOTHER ASPECT AND A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Mike Holder, who is a great friend of this 'Guide' had set himself the awesome task of tracing where Sir Alan Cobham went during his 1929 Municipal Aerodrome Campaign. And, he has succeeded! A few more details are provided in my listing for LINCOLN. WEST COMMON was the 16th venue on the Tour, and Cobham landed here on the 4th June 1929.
Note: The newspaper article appeared in the Lincolnshire Chronicle on the 8th June 1929.
NOTES: Typically Sir Alan would plan to arrive at around 11.00 and take the local dignitaries for a flight around the local area. This was invariably followed by a gala luncheon at the town hall. Sir Alan being a major national celebrity at this time. He would then expound his vision for aerodromes and regional airports across mainland Britain.
The DH61 'Giant Moth' G-AAEV was a ten-seater, and he would then fly at least forty schoolchildren on flights sponsored by an anonymous donor - which we now know was Lord Wakefield of Castrol Oil fame. Following he offered fare paying passengers flights till dusk, the object no doubt being to off-set the costs of the Tour.
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