NUNKEELING LODGE, ELLOUGHTON, E. YORKS – New here is
Enstrom F.28F G-BXLW (CofA expired 14th October 2007).OAKFIELD MANOR, OVER PEOVER, CHESHIRE – Correcting BIR2019,
GB Helicopters, who also trade as Cheshire Helicopters, now operate
from a private heliport here, which is clearly visible on Google Maps.
Their fleet consists of AS355s G-CMRA, G-DCAM, G-GBTV, G-OLCP,
G-TVGB & G-VGMC and Agusta A109Ss G-IWFC & G-IWPI.OXFORD, OXON – Airbus EC130T2 G-DBAM was delivered in to Airbus
Helicopters UK here on 4th July. Piper PA-28-161 G-EGBJ is currently
based here.PENT FARM, POSTLING, KENT – A report for 1st June found some
potentially unrecorded residents. First, the expected Tiger Moth
G-AIAK (still marked N8691), which arrived from the USA in late 2017
for Belgian-based Peter Winters, but has yet to be formally restored to
the UK Register. Although at one time a CAA Registration Case Review
was scheduled for 21st August 2018, this no longer appears on G-INFO,
so a rebuild may now be on the back burner. Interestingly, Peter
Winters sold on his Robin DR400 G-CLAJ to a fellow Schoten-based
owner on 30th January 2019, but this was still present awaiting a CofA.
Also stored are the aircraft of the late Christopher Bellhouse: Jodel
D150 G-AVEF, T-6G Texan G-BGHU & Midget Mustang G-MIDG. Although
collector Keith Perkins has warbirds elsewhere, his Prentice G-APJB
(marked as VR259), dismantled Dove G-ARHW (cancelled as PWFU 4th
January 2019, spares for G-DHDV) and Robin R2112 G-BZFB were here
rather than at our recorded Headcorn. Stearman PT-17 G-WWLK has a
Bromley owner and is here at least until it gains a Permit or full CofA.
Somewhat removed from the Waterbeach, Cambridge owner was Piper
J3C-65 G-RIXA, another awaiting airworthiness approval. Similarly
distant from the Jersey owner was Beech A36 2-LOVE. Finally, Tecnam
P2002 G-OTEC seems to prefer here to our recorded Maypole Farm,
Chislet. The expected CASA Jungmann G-BECW, Piper PA-16 G-BSWF
and Piper J3C-65 G-BSYO were all noted as well.POPHAM, HANTS – Further to JUN.977, Magni M.16 G-CJDW was back
here on 7th July. Also new were Ikarus C42 G-CDHR (on lease to
Airbourne Aviation?), SAC Spitfire G-CEFC (marked as RB142/DW-B) and
new Bristell NG5 G-LNDA.PRIORY FARM, TIBENHAM, NORFOLK – Evans VP.1 G-BIFO has been
sold and has moved to Eshott.PROSPECT HOUSE FARM, MARISHES, MALTON, N. YORKS – Resident
at this new strip is Skyranger G-TIDY, previously based at Baxby Manor,
Husthwaite.RAF COSFORD, SHROPSHIRE – The Assault Glider Trust’s Airspeed
Horsa Replica BAPC.279 (marked as LH291) was roaded out of here,
where it has been in store since arriving from RAF Shawbury in March
2014, on 19th June on total of three low-loaders, heading for the
Netherlands. It will initially be going on display (under cover) outside
the Airborne Museum at the Hartenstein Hotel in Arnhem during the
75th anniversary of the Arnhem landings in September and will then
go its new permanent home at the Oorlogsmuseum at Overloon.RAF LEEMING, N. YORKSHIRE – Further to last month, Grob G.115E
G-BYXJ arrived back from RAF Cranwell on 5th June, with G-BYUF
departing to there the same day.RAYNE HALL FARM, RAYNE, ESSEX – A visit on 6th July found X’Air
G-CCWZ and Thruster T600N G-CCXW are both now resident here. For
the record Cessna F172G G-ATFY is a weekend resident only and
spends the week at Cotswold. An unusual visitor that day was SIAI-
Marchetti SF260 D-EMXZ [6894/EM002/2027].RETFORD GAMSTON, NOTTS – A visit in late April found Cessna F150H
G-AWGK in residence.ROADRUNNERS – Noted on a trailer travelling eastbound on the A14
on 29th June was the fuselage of Beech B55 N7219L [TC-717]. This
departed from Elstree by road on 21st September 2018, so where has
it been since then? Its wings were still at Elstree on 26th June but have
now gone.RiverOak Director Tony Freudmann told the BBC of his company’s
plans for Manston: “We bought it to turn it back into an airport and it
means the development consent order process will continue. The
current plan is to have the airport reopened in the spring of 2022 for
short-haul and cargo flights. We have shown that it is financially
viable.” In the BBC report, RiverOak predicted that “from 2024, 680,000
passengers will fly from Manston each year, along with 174,000 tonnes
of cargo.” The company is confident that those figures will double in
the subsequent twenty years. We shall see!
MELKSHAM, WILTS – No.2385 Squadron ATC, based in Lancaster Road
here, have taken on the cockpit section of Chipmunk T.10 WP863 (the
one time G-ATJI) previously with No.1011 Squadron ATC at MoD
Boscombe Down.
MERRINS FARM, LEEDS, KENT – Robinson R44 G-RMYD lives on a
private helipad here (visible on Google Maps), but often seems to be
reported at Headcorn (calling in for fuel?)
MIDDLE STOKE, ISLE OF GRAIN, KENT – One of the many items
amassed by Andy Hawes was Rans S.6 G-MYPA (Permit to Fly expired
12th June 2015), but this was noted hangared here with wings folded
on 30th June. Also hangared was Evektor EV-97 SportStar RTC G-UKRO,
yet to receive its EASA CofA or Permit to Fly, which has been imminent
since February. Also reported resident were Zenair CH.601HD G-BUTG
(was Hunsdon), QuikR G-CGXV (was Rankins Farm, Linton) and Pegasus
Quik G-CJAY (brackets can be removed in BIR2019).
Now relegated to external storage outside the hangars is the sole
Medway Rumour. Developed by Chris Draper by 2011, it was intended
to offer an alternative to the P&M Quik with a “topless” sailwing, albeit
some two years behind other designs! It made a few test flights using
B Conditions marks G-68, but with no individual number, and even this
merely adorned the cockpit.
MOD BOSCOMBE DOWN, WILTS – On 2nd July Bell 412EP G-CBVP
(arrived from Newquay Cornwall on 11th June), Agusta A109E G-POTR
and BN-2T Islander G-WPNS were all operating from here with QinetiQ.
MONEWDEN, SUFFOLK – The owner of the airfield, who late last year
purchased Van’s RV-6 G-USRV and then re-registered it as G-RVSE, has
now sold it. It was noted at Dunkeswell in late June.
MOSS EDGE FARM, COCKERHAM, LANCS – A visit on 7th July found
four previously unrecorded residents in the shape of Mainair Blade
G-BYHS (local Shaw owner 12th July) & G-CBTE (Skipton owner), Quik
GT450 G-CGXE (Widnes owner) and Gemini Flash G-MNBV (cancelled
by CAA 25th November 2010). Chaser S G-MVSG was not present and
has possibly moved out to the owner’s home.
NETHERTHORPE, NOTTS – Recent arrival Piper PA-28-180C G-ATNB
has been re-registered as G-IMIK and remains resident.
NEWCHURCH, ISLE OF WIGHT – A recent visit to Amazon World, just
off the A3056 between Apse Heath and Arreton, confirmed the
presence of Jabiru SK G-OPUS (cancelled as PWFU 30th October 2015)
on display, painted in a black & white ‘Zebra’ scheme.
NORTH COATES, LINCS – Miles Gemini G-AKHP departed to Breighton
on 24th May and is now resident there. Jodel DR1051 G-BHHE arrived
from Sandown on 14th May and is now resident.
NORTHFIELD FARM, MAVIS ENDERBY, LINCS – Auster J/5L G-AMYD
has moved here from Strubby South strip.
NORTH WEALD, ESSEX – New here is Magni M.24 G-TADI. Also
reported as resident is Diamond DA 40D 5N-BRM [D4.290], although I
have had no confirmation of this as yet.
NOTTINGHAM CITY, NOTTS – The sale of the airfield for housing has
been confirmed, but apparently expansion at nearby Langar is on the
cards. A visit on 20th June found the following newcomers: Piper PA-
28RT-201T F-GRUT [28R-8031016, formerly resident as G-OROA, still
with the same French owner]; Jodel DR1050 G-ATWA (Stanton under
Bardon owner); Kitfox G-BZAR (Matlock owner); Jabiru SPL G-BZGT
(Mansfield owner) and Robinson R44 G-REYE (Sheffield owner).