Can you assist ABCT with the following historical research areas:

• WW1 landing ground locations and confirmed opening / closing dates?
• 1920s civil airfield histories and locations?
• WW2 Emergency Landing Ground histories and locations?
• Decoy airfield histories and locations?
• Air Training Corps Gliding School histories, locations and unit movements during the 1940s?
• Histories and locations of lesser known civil airfields during the 1940s and 1950s?
• Gerry Francis wishes to find further information regarding a possible dump which existed on or in the near vicinity of Coltishall. Mustangs, motor cycles, American Willys Jeeps and other wartime transport are said to have been disposed of there.
• Cath Wilkins is also interested in Coltishall. She would like to know if any set system existed for burying personnel after September 1943, when an area of ground at Scottow Cemetery had to be superseded by a new facility at North Walsham due to a growing shortage of space and Coltishall’s expansion. Are war graves even missing?
• Well known local Lincolnshire historian Ron Parker is launching his latest book ’Goxhill Airfield’ in June 2007. This detailed A4 size publication is 192 pages long, containing over 350 photographs and priced £18.00 (or £19.50 by mail order post) and portrays the life and workings of the airfield, containing the memories of 65 veterans. It is hoped that an intended launch day in the village will see some Jeeps attending and any profit generated from sales will be set aside for the future upkeep of the Goxhill Airfield Tribute or memorial. Support this excellent cause by either contacting info@abct.org.uk or telephone 01469 532 183.
• Mr Parker furthermore asks if Hollywood actor Clark Gable ever stayed at or visited Goxhill during World War Two. Some confusion surrounds this matter: certainly Gable was based at Polebrook but it may be the case someone simply pretended to impersonate him while in the area.
• Cathy Lawrance and associates are attempting to establish a WW2 RAF/USAAF memorial at Saltby. The total cost of the project is £8325 and sources of funding or sponsorship would be greatly appreciated.
• The Royal Air Force Amateur Radio Society has started a challenge for its members called Airfields On The Air. The idea is to activate military airfields since 1914 in a portable radio sense to keep memories alive and transmit from as many past and present sites as possible. Check the RAFARS website www.rafars.org for more details about this innovative project.
• The Purbeck Air Crashes Memorial Seat Project is trying to establish a seat in the Purbeck Hills near the village of Kingston. It is intended to recognise the victims of two air crashes in 1938 and 1945 and the sum of £2467.50 is required. Target date for the dedication of the seat is October 25 2007: contact ABCT or Colin Pomeroy at CPomeroy@aol.com for further details to help remember the loss of 30 young lives, all bar three of them who died in what became Dorset’s worst ever air crash.
• Owain Johns is looking for any form of support in his bid to be successful in the 2007 World Microlight Championships to be held this summer in the Czech Republic. A total of 7500 pilots form the microlight fraternity in Britain and perform a vital role in keeping less used or effectively disused airfields active. Find his positive website http://www.wmc07.co.uk/ to help him, the British Microlight Team and this branch of aviation in general.
• With Coltishall in crisis, interior designer April Vogel has provided extensive suggestions about how to turn the legendary base into a research, innovation, manufacturing and retail business centre for the use and re-use of waste from Coltishall and surrounding areas to make sustainable material and products for building, furnishing and decoration. Benefits would be widespread if various agencies became involved and the airfield’s conservation would be ensured. This new concept in sustainable trade merits further examination for all our sakes: contact ABCT should you be interested.
• Mr C Toms needs help with research on the decoy airfield for Shawbury during World War Two.
• Tim Davies is looking for information relating to Stormy Down, especially photographs.
• No 102 (Dyce) Squadron Air Training Corps based in Aberdeen is undertaking a project to research and build a scaled model of RAF Dyce – today’s Aberdeen Airport – as it looked during World War Two. A basic model is to be followed later on by a larger scaled model examining a smaller more detailed section. Any information, personal accounts or especially photographs are most welcome.
• A newly discovered WW2 ELG has been revealed at Chelwood Gate in East Sussex. It now forms part of a firebreak but can still be clearly identified. Any details?
• Staying in East Sussex, another WW2 ELG is claimed to have existed at Cross in Hand. Correct – or perhaps confused with WW1 landing ground Blackboys?
• Was there ever an airfield at Hawley in Hampshire? One source has stated either military and/or civil activity may have happened in the past but details are extremely vague.
• Did ultimately unsuccessful 1930’s civil airfield Abrdige see further aviation use after World War Two? One local source claims this to be the case but there is no other confirmation.
• A local preservation society wishes to find more information concerning WW1 landing ground Seacroft.
• Do you know of any disused airfields which could be purchased to transformation into active/historical working sites?. ABCT has already received various requests for help in this particular area: contact the charity for more details.
• Disused airfields are also the most incredible places as regards business potential. Contact ABCT with any ideas to help boost the economy, create jobs, assist people and last but far from least save individual buildings or whole airfields.
• Seaplane activity is once again slowly but surely becoming visible, especially in Scotland. For years this side of aviation has been neglected but help ABCT to in turn help other companies and individuals make marine flying yet more prominent.
• test

ABCT would like to express its very grateful thanks to the following who have confirmed the precise locations of various obscure airfields across Britain, or conversely disproved false facts:

John Williams
Paul Doyle
Olive Bell
Colin Pomeroy
Hywel Williams
Keith Thompson

Also many thanks to the already countless individuals and organisations who have provided geographical, historical, tactical, technical and communications assistance in ABCT’s ongoing hunt to track down missing airfield details. The charity is enjoying spectacular success in this area and more gaps will surely be filled before too long.

Other areas will be mentioned in due course.
Send postal information to:

ABCT, PO Box 26319, Glasgow, G76 6AH