A CRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE AERODROME EARLY DAYS UNTIL PUBLIC ENQUIRY 1930 - 1933
Part One
The history of the site at Pebsham was a long and protracted affair. I feel that Hastings and St Leonards missed many opportunities to become a successful Seaside Resort, because of it's procrastination regarding this opportunity.
The first evidence of the Pebsham estate being used for flying was in the Hastings & St Leonard's Observer on 5th July 1930, when an advertisement for pleasure flights was advertised by the Kent Aircraft Services Ltd. It advertised 'Exhilarating, Thrilling Flying, every day from 10pm till dusk, for the price of 5/- (5 shillings or 25p in today's money). Of course 5 shillings was a lot of money in those days.
(Endnote i)
Another event that must have mustered enthusiasm for an airfield, was the visit to Hastings of that intrepid women aviator Miss Amy Johnson, in July 1931. Apparently, she discovered Hastings purely by chance, whilst flying along the coast. She apparently landed at Fairlight, though it is not clear where. In the interview with the H&SLO Endnote ii, she mentioned a Captain Tindall and asked why don't you have an aero club here? She brought her aeroplane Jason III to the town with the purpose of giving passenger flights. She was asked if she thought the landing site that she had used, would be suitable for an aerodrome, she said 'no the ground is too small and is too far out of town. Captain Tindall commented that the only suitable site was at Pebsham in Western St Leonard's. With regard to the passenger flights she was offering, they would be available between the 2nd and 8th July, between 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm. Tickets would be available from Messrs. Butler and Phillips, 161-182 Queens Road, for the price of 10/- (10 shillings or 50p in today's money). Also anyone interested in forming an Aero Club should contact Mr Butler at the same address.
In 1932, the Town Council decided to purchase the Pebsham Farm Estate. A report of a council meeting on the 26th July, the Finance Committee discussed the purchase of the estate for the sum of £10,000.Endnote iii The estate comprised of 880 acres, of which 300 acres was pasture and the rest arable land. It was though that the purchase price was a bargain, as a nearby site was sold for £148 per acre, whereas the cost of the Pebsham Estate only worked out at only £25 per acre ( however I am not sure how they calculated this amount, as £10000 divided by 880 equals £11.36 (£11 7s 6p) per acre?).
In the same edition of the H&SLO, Endnote iv a letter to the newspaper praised the decision of the Town Council and highlighted the opportunities that an Aerodrome would bring. Just a month later another article in the newspaper Endnote v, commented that an area of 500 yards square should be arranged as a temporary landing ground, as the cost of the full scheme would be difficult find in the economic climate of the time.
Also the name of Sir Alan Cobham was mentioned, a name that will appear frequently in this research. Apparently he was engaged by the Town Council as an expert in aerodromes and flying at the time.
In the 14th January 1933 edition of the H&SLO, (Endnote vi) a letter was received by the newspaper encouraging the town to build an Aerodrome and even suggested building another Brooklands style motor racing track on the same site. (John H Philpott for Ealing, London).
By April that year the Town Council had applied to the Ministry of Health for a loan of £10,200 to purchase the Estate. This involved a Public Inquiry, as the application also involved the dumping of refuse to level and raise the site. The inquiry was set for the 27th July 1933 at 10am and presided over by J C Dawes Esq. O.B.E. M.I.Mech.E. (Endnote vii).
The Inquiry - at the inquiry it was explained that the landing ground, which was presently under water during rainy periods, would be raised by a system of controlled tipping, which it was estimated would take 14 to 16 years to complete.
The site was selected as the most suitable site by Sir Alan Cobham, the famous airman, who was called in by the council to make a survey of the borough.
No objections were raised during the hearing. Others attending the hearing were: the Mayor (Councillor H Burden), the Deputy Mayor (Councillor G H Ormerod), the Town Clerk (Mr D W Jackson), the Borough Engineer ( Mr Sydney Little), the Deputy Borough Engineer (Mr H R Jack), the Borough Treasurer (Mr G H Butterworth), the Medical Officer of Health (Dr G R Bruce) and the Town Clerk of Bexhill ( Mr s J Taylor).
The Town Clerk explained that the borough had an area of 4,857 acres and the population based on the 1931 census was 65,200. He also outlined the boroughs income as £2,698 per penny rate and the current rate being 9s 4d in the pound (about 47p in today's money). The loan that they had asked for of £10,200 was repayable over 60 years. The interest charges were estimated at £408 per annum and the net charge to the rates would be 0.15d. Other expenditure in connection with the estate amounted to £125 a year and rent derived from the property was £85 a year. He anticipated that the total income would be £100 a year as compared to the expenditure of £125. The Town Clerk then outlined the history of the scheme, saying that the town had not been hasty in the matter. The town had set up a committee 5 years ago to consider the matter and 4 years ago, the committee called in Sir Alan Cobham to survey the town for suitable sites. Sir Alan had. Concluded that the Pebsham site was the only suitable site, although he added that a considerable amount of work would have to be done to prepare the site for a runway.
The site as it was was unsuitable and would require raising by controlled tipping and the removing of various hills. He explained (The Town Clerk), that had this been done a few years ago it would been a very expensive proposition, but now the Council had been advised that the tipping of refuse would be the most economical solution. He added that the Council would, of course carry out rigidly any precautions that the Ministry of Health required. As most of the site was in the borough of Bexhill, their Town Council was also prepared to allow the tipping of refuse, as were they also prepared to join with Hastings in the provision and administration of the aerodrome. The Mayor described the councils efforts to establish a municipal aerodrome and their decision to purchase the site was unanimous and that he was quite certain that the ratepayers were behind the scheme.
The Inspector- 'Were the Council also unanimous as to the tipping of refuse?'
The Mayor- Oh yes!The Borough Engineer said he had made the survey in conjunction with Sir Alan Cobham. The ground was very low- lying and subject to flooding, which could be avoided by the construction of flood banks or by raising the level of the site. Regarding the system of tipping, he. Said that the present refuse destructor was not in the best position and the proposed system of tipping would be as cheap and have enormous advantages. He said that it would be necessary to drain the surface water into the Combe Haven, which would be excavated for the purpose. The cost of the drainage would not exceed £6,000. The area proposed for tipping was 110 acres and it would be covered to the required level within 14 to 16 years, but it could be used before that. Details were given on loans and charges for existing buildings, plant and equipment for the treatment of waste at that time.
The Inspector commented that clay soil was not suitable for covering refuse, but the Borough Engineer said that he was afraid that clay was present in the soil to be excavated from the hilly parts. Mr Taylor (Bexhill Town Clerk) questioned the Borough Engineer about the refuse tip close to Bexhill Road, pointing out that there had been a fire there recently. The Borough Engineer replied, that he did not agree that tipping had been carried out there to any great extent. A ratepayer, Mr T Dunn, asked what type of refuse would be tipped there, as house refuse can be very objectionable.
The Borough Engineer replied that the system of controlled tipping properly carried out would not create a nuisance.
The Inspector replied in connection to a further question from Mr Dunn that any tipping undertaken by the Council would be carried out in accordance with Ministry of Health regulations and that it had been carried out all over the country with very great success.
The Medical Officer of Health said her saw no objection to the scheme from a public health point of view.
Mr Taylor pointed out that controlled tipping was already being carried out in Bexhill and he would be quite satisfied with the undertaking given by the Town Clerk. The inquiry concluded and afterwards certain technical details were discussed in camera. (Endnote viii)
In the following weeks H&SL O an article said that some landing ground may be cleared by autumn of that year and that the council had entered into a conditional contract to purchase the site. Endnote ix
In an edition of the H&SL O of the 13th May 1933, an Observer reporter visited the Cinque Ports Flying Club at Lympne, and spoke to Mr W E Davis in charge at Lympne as a representative of the Brooklands Aviation Ltd. (Endnote x)
Mr Davis said that several local residents were already coming to the club for flying lessons, so he thought that this would be a nucleus of people to form a club. If a club was formed and an area of about 400 to 600 yards square was cleared, they would be prepared to lend alight aircraft and an instructor as soon as a club was formed. He continued to say that to put the club on a proper basis they would have to erect a hanger and a temporary clubhouse for the convenience of members. He thought that this could be done for about £1000, but until that was done they would be prepared to send a plane over daily, if their cooperation was desired.
He commented that many of the regular Continental air services crossed the coast near Hastings and in case of emergency they would be able to land at Pebsham. Also the proximity of the airfield to the coast and to the new Bathing Pool at Bopeep would be an additional attraction to aviators. He said that most aerodromes were situated miles away from the town centres, but Pebsham was very close to the town.
Regarding the suggested air taxis, he said that a service could be easily started, which would mean that a businessman could be in the centre of London within 1 hour.
Mr Davis later visited the site at Pebsham and afterwards expressed the opinion that at a cost of £2000 it would be possible to have a landing ground ready, within 6 weeks. He considered that to a great extent the work of levelling could be done by rolling. It did not matter too much if the ground was bumpy, as long as there were no ruts. There were several small dykes that could be filled in and the larger dykes could be covered over and turfed. He commented that the area was big enough for the larges airliner of that time and said that the best place for a clubhouse would be at the east side of the site, where a access road could be built to join the main road.
On 30th June 1933 the Council received the official sanction to borrow the £10,200, so that they could proceed with the purchase of the Pebsham Estate. In the H&SL O of the 1st July 1933, (Endnote xi) they reported that the sanction had been received, so they could now proceed with controlled tipping to raise the ground. This was going to take several years, but they reported that it was likely that enough ground would be cleared, large enough for light aeroplanes to land. In this edition they reported that at least one local resident would be prepared for the aerodrome, this being Mr. K Butler, of the local motor firm Messrs. Butler & Phillips, who qualified for his 'A' pilots licence on 28th June 1933. He was a member of the Cinque Ports Flying Club at Lympne and was a great believer in the future of air travel, and he can be relied on to be a lead figure in setting up a local club.
EndnotesReference to Newspaper date and page
i H&SLO - 7th July 1930 - P.1
ii H&SLO - 4th July 1931 - P.13
iii H&SLO - 30th July 1932 - P.9
iv H&SLO - 30th July 1932 - P.7
v H&SLO - 27th August 1932 - P.5
vi H&SLO - 14th January 1932 - P.12
vii H&SLO - 22nd April 1933 - P.9
viii H&SLO - 29th April 1933 - P.5
ix H&SLO - 6th May 1933 - P.10
x H&SLO - 13th May 1933 - P.9
xi H&SLO - 1st July 1933 - P.9
PART 2
DURING WORLD WAR II TO ITS DEMISE -1939 - LATE 1950's
During the war little use was made of the aerodrome, but it has been reported that Spitfires sometimes landed there, possibily to avoid enemy attacks on their home air station. It has also been reported that a B24 crash landed there, but this can't be confirmed as reporting was restricted in the war.
The H&SLO did not now report any more stories on the subject of the Pebsham aerodrome now until after the war.
The first news of the Pebsham Aerodrome was not until 1947 H&SLO on the 10th May 1947 (Endnote xxxvii), when it was reported that applications had been received by the Parks and Gardens Committee, from Flight-Lieut. F. A. Prevett for permission to use the Municipal Aerodrome site at Pebsham for training ATC members in gliding, and also from Mr G. R. Lush, for permission to use the site for private flying. The Town Clerk recommended that Mr Lush's application be granted at a rental of £10 a year, subject to certain conditions, and has informed the committee that the ATC application is under consideration by the Air Ministry.
The committee resolved that the Town Clerks recommendation be adopted.
In the H&SLO on the 13th December 1947 (Endnote xxxviii), at a Town Council meeting resolved to approve in principle, flying at Pebsham Aerodrome. However most of the meeting was taken up with the proposed Speedway racing at the Pilot Field, which was also approved.
1948 July 14 - The mayor officially opened the Hastings Aerodrome laid out by Hastings Council at Pebsham, where the football pitches are today next to Pebsham tip. The first take-off was an Auster Autocrat. It had been an aerodrome site, used occasionally, since 1930s. It closed in 1959.
By late 1948 flying was obviously taking place, as it was reported in the H&SLO on the 9th Oct 1948, that a resident from Cavendish Avenue had complained about the noise from low flying aircraft using the Pebsham Airfield.
This was noted by the Parks and Gardens Committee in their report to the council.In early 1949 it was evident that the Pebsham site was also being used by aero modellers.
The following snippet in the H&SLO of the 8th Jan 1949, Endnote xxxix.
A correspondent writes: "Tomorrow we welcome a return visit of our old friends, the Eastbourne Aero modellers and if the weather holds dry and calm we should see some excellent competition flying. There are five classes - duration rubber, duration power glider, speed and stunt control line. We have several new models in the club which will be flown tomorrow, and if the performance is as good as their appearance, some of the existing records held by the club are going by the board. Flying will begin at Pebsham at 11 a.m. and continue into the afternoon".
The usual club meeting will be held next Tuesday evening at the Youth Centre, Archery Road. We still have room for new members. Also in 1951, a similar snippet appeared in the H&SLO 14th April 1951 Endnote xl. As a result, of a meeting of the Hastings Aero modellers on Tuesday, It was decided that meetings should take place in future at the home of members every Tuesday evening until the lighter evenings allow the club to meet at its flying ground at Pebsham, the hon. Secretary, Mr. L. C. Breach, stated that model flying at Pebsham would take place as usual on Sundays, and anyone interested in joining the club would be welcomed.
As far as the newspaper had reported in subsequent years there was no mention of flying at Pebsham. There were complaints about the tipping there and a lot of debate about the proposed Motor Racing circuit at Pebsham. This even went as far as a Public Inquiry in 1954 H&SLO 6th November 1954 Endnote xli. However I did not find an article following this report with the findings of the Inquiry. It is pretty certain that the promoters lost their appeal as we are not blessed with the Motor Racing circuit at the site.
The last time that full sized aircraft landed on the site was at an airshow which was run by the Hastings Model Flying club, as the 1066 Model flying club was not formed until 1987.
Endnotes
Reference to Newspaper date and page
xxxvii H&SLO 10th May 1947 - P.1
xxxviii H&SLO 13th Dec 1947 - P.1
xxxix H&SLO 8th Jan 1949 - P.6
xl H&SLO 14th April 1951 - P.4
xli H&SLO 6th November 1954 - P.1
PART 3
DURING WORLD WAR II TO ITS DEMISE -1939 - PRESENT
Below is a copy of all of the online research that I did and I thank the As far as my research at Hastings Library I could not find any reference to Pebsham Aerodrome or Airfield the Hastings Observer after this date. Prior to my research at the library I did search on the internet and found a forum that was discussing the airfield.
I include all the posts in their entirety which may be of interest.
South-East History Boards
Aviation => Airfields & Landing Grounds => Topic started by: pomme homme on July 17, 2011, 12:57:59 PM
Title: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: pomme homme on July 17, 2011, 12:57:59 PM
I am researching the history of Hastings Aerodrome, which was situated to the north of the A259 at Pebsham (where the sports fields now are). It was a municipal aerodrome, first planned in the 1920s but it did not come to fruition until the 1940s and had expired by the mid-1950s. Its operational career was short and unsuccessful. During its short life it was little more than a mown grass strip with no infrastructure and was home to a handful of aeroplanes only. Its genesis was in a report by Sir Alan Cobham. There were great plans for it in terms of commercial aviation. Much work was undertaken over many years, levelling the former rubbish tip site in order to lay out runways. However effectively, it was never completed before, eventually, the enthusiasm of Hastings Borough Council finally ran out in the early 1960s. I have collected a great deal of information and material over the past few years but if anyone has additional information about or photographs of the aerodrome, I'd be very pleased to hear from you.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) AerodromePost by: Chris in 1066 on July 18, 2011, 18:24:19 PMPomme Homme
When I first moved down to Hastings some 30 years ago, I was very interested in that same aerodrome on the Bexhill Rd in St Leonards. Unfortunately I found so little information on the subject that eventually I changed my tactics and went for 'The America Ground' and Robertson Street. I wish you the best of luck with your research, and if at any time in the near future you wish to share some of your findings - I would be very happy and grateful to read them.
Chris in 1066
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) AerodromePost by: pomme homme on July 19, 2011, 15:08:50 PM
Thanks for your kind words, Chris. There's an awful lot at ESRO on the protracted construction history of Pebsham Aerodrome. I haven't finished there yet and I hope to continue when I make my next visit to the UK. What is much more difficult is tracing material relating to the short operational history of the aerodrome and the aeroplanes based there during that time. So if you or anyone else knows of anyone who visited there - albeit that it would have been more than half a century ago - I'd be very pleased to make contact with them and record their memories. In the meantime, here's one of the few photographic views I've seen of the aerodrome. This was taken in 1950 and appeared in Aeroplane magazine of that year
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: Chris in 1066 on July 19, 2011, 15:27:50 PM
Hi AgainThanks for your reply - appreciate the info that it contained. You have re-kindled my interest in that part of St Leonards and as you are not in the UK, I will see what I can unearth at this end - surely the local Hastings papers will have some reports, data or something similar.Do you have a more precise time when it was operational - don't want to trail through reams of newspapers if it was not there at that timeCheers for nowChris in 1066
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: Pete on July 19, 2011, 15:34:54 PM
Just had a look on old maps and it is shown as recreation ground from the 1928 onwards, also of note is the area is marked as liable to flooding. I wonder if it was ever anything more than a summer "trip around the bay" field- we had one at Newhaven between the wars near Tidemills
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: pomme homme on July 19, 2011, 15:46:01 PM
Chris, I've sent a PM.Pete, you're not far off the truth. Back in the late 40s the Auster Autocrats of Hastings & East Sussex Air Services and in the 1950s the Auster 5 of Mike Macey did just that. But there were other aeroplanes based there. George Lush kept his Klemm 25 there for many years. Also recorded as being based there was an Auster Arrow. And then there is the enigmatic Avro Prefect - although I'm still unsure whether its existence there is truth or an urban legend!
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: pomme homme on July 30, 2011, 21:59:30 PM
Anything more, anyone?
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: Phil Sellens on August 03, 2011, 13:34:16 PM
In the 1950s I lived quite close to Pebsham Aerodrome. I can remember only three resident aeroplanes. There was Mike Masey's Auster, Mr Lush's blue Klemm, which always seemed to have a great struggle to get airborne, and the third was a black biplane. It was quite a bit bigger than the other two, as I recall. It flew in one day, was parked up and I don't think it ever took to the air again. I can remember seeing it taken away on a low loader, with the wings detached and lying alongside the fuselage.
My best memories are the air shows or air displays, as we called them. Then there would be dozens of aeroplanes present. Many of us would watch from a nearby hillside, locally known as the Daisy Bank, from where we had a grandstand view of the action.
I can remember an incident when Mike Masey was forced to land his Auster on the beach near Hastings Pier. I believe it was recovered without much damage and a photograph and report of the incident appeared in the Hastings and St. Leonards Observer. Unfortunately I cannot give a date and it would mean trawling through several years of newspapers to find it.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: pomme homme on August 03, 2011, 16:44:32 PM
Thank you for that information, Phil.It's both fascinating and very useful to my research into the history of Pebsham Aerodrome.I envisage that the black biplane you saw at Pebsham was the enigmatic Avro Prefect. It had served in the RAF in a training capacity and, after the war, was civilianised by Southern Aircraft at Gatwick in 1946 as G-AHVO before passing into the ownership of A.G.Harding and arriving at Pebsham in September 1948. I've been unable to find an image of the very aeroplane but I'm attaching one of an Avro Prefect so you can, Phil, see if it accords with your recollection. Bearing out what you say, it is described variously as having "faded away" and "been scrapped" at Pebsham in 1950. Thus your account of it having been dismantled and roaded out is completely new information. Whilst I know that we are talking about an event of more than sixty years ago, does your memory enable you to elaborate upon the aeroplane's life at and removal from Pebsham, Phil? If so, do please contact me by PM. Or if you prefer to do so by e-mail, let me know and I'll let you have my e-mail address.
As to Mike Macey's Austers, that which served him longest at Pebsham (and subsequently at Shoreham) was Auster 5 G-ANHR. I've no knowledge of that landing on the beach at Hastings. In fact I was unaware that he had landed an Auster on the beach at Hastings. However I have a recollection that that on a flight from Lympne, an earlier Auster suffered an engine failure and landed in the sea just off the beach at Hastings, with Mike Macey being able to swim to the shore but the Auster being beyond repair and, presumably, being scrapped. I'll have to hunt about a bit in my files to be able to check whether my memory is correct and, if so, to corroborate the facts.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) AerodromePost by: pomme homme on August 04, 2011, 10:04:52 AM
Finally I've found the reference to Mike Macey's earlier Auster. It was posted on another forum. The poster related that it was another Auster V, registered G-ANIT, in which Mike Macey managed to make the national newspapers in 1954 by ditching (following an engine stoppage) just off the beach at Hasting, just four months after the Auster's first Certificate of Airworthiness!. The poster said that the insurance report stated that the Auster was on a flight from Lympne when the engine failed at 500 feet. Mike Macey ditched the aircraft, just off the beach at Hastings, and climbed out onto a wing. He was taken off just before the aircraft sank. The aircraft had taken off with sufficient fuel and the engine failure was attributed to a loose banjo union causing loss of fuel. The report doesn't state the intended destination but it may well have been Pebsham.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: Chris in 1066 on August 08, 2011, 20:23:37 PM
Just spotted this on the net - Hastings Chronicle I believe 1948 July 14 - The mayor officially opened the Hastings Aerodrome laid out by Hastings Council at Pebsham, where the football pitches are today next to Pebsham tip. It is believed to have been operational since 1933, closing in 1959. Chris
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: pomme homme on August 09, 2011, 10:58:56 AM
The development history of Pebsham Aerodrome is very long. Its operational history is very short. In 1927 Alan Cobham wrote to Hastings Corporation regarding a suitable site for an aerodrome in Hastings. However it was, it appears, nearly twenty years before an aeroplane first operated from the site. Over the next ten years there were many grand plans for commercial and private aviation on the site, but few came to fruition and none with any degree of commercial success. Aerial activity was sporadic over this period. By 1957 it appears to have ceased altogether. However that did not prevent Hastings Corporation persisting with their desire to have a municipal airport for another ten years yet. However by 1967 it appears to have abandoned all hopes of having an airport at Pebsham. Thus ended the forty year history of Pebsham Aerodrome.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: Phil Sellens on August 13, 2011, 12:09:11 PM
I have a copy of 'What's On in Hastings and St. Leonards' dated September 22nd. 1930. I carries an advertisement from Kent Aircraft Services Ltd. for the 'Hastings and St. Leonards Aerodrome' at Pebsham Farm, and offers 'generous circular flights' for five shillings, as well as longer trips and an air taxi service.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: pomme homme on August 13, 2011, 12:39:27 PM
That's extremely interesting, Phil.
Can you scan and post a copy of the advertisement, please? The reason why I say that it is interesting is because it was not until 1933 that Hastings Corporation purchased the land at Pebsham farm for their proposed municipal aerodrome. Back in March 1930, when Alan Cobham produced his report on a proposed municipal aerodrome at Pebsham Farm, he said that the site needed to be cleared, levelled, piped and drained and that a significant land acquisition would be necessary in consequence of the drawbacks of the particular site. So it hardly sounds to have been suitable for a landing field at that time. Maybe the Kent Aircraft Services advertisement was just 'testing the water' to see whether it would be worth operating pleasure and taxi flights from Hastings. Or maybe there was a field at Pebsham Farm, large enough to use as a landing ground that Kent Aircraft Services had rented for the summer season. It's certainly a line of enquiry worth pursuing.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: Phil Sellens on August 13, 2011, 21:04:13 PM
Hi Mike
Here is the Pebsham Aerodrome ad.It advises bus travellers, from Hastings or St. Leonards, to alight at Filsham Garage. This puts them down near the Eastern side of the aerodrome and two bus stops (nearly half a mile) short of the 1950s aerodrome reception approach Road. So it seems that the 1930 reception area was on the opposite side of the field to that of the 1950s.I cannot think of anywhere on Pebsham Farm which would be suitable for a landing ground, other than fields further up the valley, but these would be too far off the beaten track.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: pomme homme on August 13, 2011, 21:48:00 PM
Kent Aircraft Services Ltd. appears to have been a pleasure flying operation that was based at Bekesbourne Aerodrome, near Canterbury, in the early 1930s, operating mainly ex-military Avro 504Ks. But when I went googling the company, an interesting by-product emerged. It was that a D.H.60G Gipsy Moth G-AAWN, owned by Norman de Bruyne of Cambridge (and I'll refrain from going off on a tangent about the interesting aircraft he built and whether the de Bruyne Ladybird exists to this day!), is recorded as having 'spun in after take-off at Hastings 24.12.33'. So it does appear that there was somewhere in the area that was operating as an aerodrome in the early 1930s. If it wasn't Pebsham, then where?
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: Phil Sellens on August 13, 2011, 23:32:46 PM
As the advertisement clearly indicates that there was an aerodrome at Pebsham in 1930, I really cannot see why it should be so much in doubt.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: John on August 31, 2011, 18:31:14 PMI'm guessing the 'aerodrome' was just a field that someone operated out of. By 1934 they were still talking about making an airport there - two documents from that year attached, make of them what you will.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: pomme homme on September 01, 2011, 20:47:40 PM
The fact that something appears in an advertisement is not, to me, sufficient reason why it should be beyond doubt. Remember Emil Savundra!
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: John on September 02, 2011, 19:46:34 PM
January 1938 - I'm assuming this was still the 'proposed' layout...
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: John on September 05, 2011, 11:43:03 AM
1938 again, quite a large plan here..
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: John on September 21, 2011, 19:46:04 PM
Correspondence from British Railways regarding the airfield at Pebsham.From: Continental Superintendent, Victoria
To: General Manager, Waterloo
31st July 1956
Pebsham Air Strip.
You may like to see the attached suggestion submitted by the Goods Agent at Hastings regarding Pebsham Air Strip.
The Goods Agent has been advised by the District Traffic Superintendent, Orpington that it is not our intention to operate our own air services and his suggestion is, therefore, one which cannot be pursued. Nevertheless he has been asked to keep an eye on the air strip in question should any independent air operator seek to develop the air strip.And here's the report referred to above, dated 18th July 1956.
Dear Sir,
SUGGESTION
For the British Transport Commission to acquire the Pebsham Air Strip for Development of specialised Freight Traffic to and from the Continent.
1. This air strip lies between Hastings and Bexhill parallel with the road and rail routes and in close proximity to them.
2. The aeronautical conditions such as prevailing wind, atmosphere, nearness to France, rail, road, ports are complementary; so is the ground configuration.
3. The ground is owned at present by the Hastings Corporation, and is being gradually elevated by the deposits of selected refuse from the area around which is proving ideal from an engineer point of view.
4. Its use by aircraft at present is negligible, but it could probably accommodate without much difficulty Dakota type Freight Aircraft.
5. In the light of modernisation or the possible revival of Railway Air Services I suggest the B.T.C. consider early acquisition before say the Silver City Air Lines or others, operating already from Rochford, Croydon or Lydd take up a vulnerable position prejudicing our traffic through our Channel Ports.
6. The air-freight traffic I have in mind (rail-air-rail) is valuables, fresh meat, frozen or fresh fruit.
7. Kindly acknowledge receipt.
Yours truly,G. Burns
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: pomme homme on September 21, 2011, 20:56:38 PM
One can't but help admire the optimism of public servants in the 1950s. But one is doing so with the benefit of hindsight - and that's a wonderful to have! But nonetheless, thank you, John, for your continuing input to this rather arcane topic.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: John on September 22, 2011, 19:18:06 PM
Quote from: pomme homme on September 21, 2011, 20:56:38 PM
One can't but help admire the optimism of public servants in the 1950s. But one is doing so with the benefit of hindsight - and that's a wonderful to have! But nonetheless, thank you, John, for your continuing input to this rather arcane topic.My pleasure.Another plan, no date or other details unfortunately.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: John on October 06, 2011, 18:44:26 PM
A selection of newspaper cuttings from 1938.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: Phil Sellens on October 07, 2011, 22:12:24 PM
Hi John
Your press cuttings are interesting, but they make it sound like the end of the story and we know of course that a lot happened after the war.I have recently acquired a newly published book (Hastings - A Tribute to Sidney Little, by Richard Pollard. 2011) with several pages about Pebsham Aerodrome and one rather poor photograph. If you can get a look at a copy you may find it interesting.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: John on October 08, 2011, 07:40:13 AM
Thanks Phil, I'll keep my eyes open for that one.Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) AerodromePost by: pomme homme on October 08, 2011, 12:27:40 PMI'm glad to see that Richard Pollard's book has been published. I was in touch with him earlier this year when he was enquiring after images of Pebsham Aerodrome. If my memory serves me correctly, he was trying to find an aerial photograph of the aerodrome and the few I have are of aeroplanes on the ground there. As there was precious little infrastructure on the ground at any point in the aerodrome's short operational history, I suspect that any aerial images would show little more than, at best, the mown areas of grass that served as a runway. Anyhow can you please tell me, Phil, what is the specific subject matter of the photograph of the aerodrome that appears in his book?
Thank you for posting the press cuttings, John. Are these from Kew? Hitherto I hadn't seen any national press cuttings concerning Pebsham. All of mine are from the local papers (other than a few from the aviation press).
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: John on October 08, 2011, 16:48:04 PM
Quote from: pomme homme on October 08, 2011, 12:27:40 PM
Thank you for posting the press cuttings, John. Are these from Kew? Hitherto I hadn't seen any national press cuttings concerning Pebsham. All of mine are from the local papers (other than a few from the aviation press).
Yes, found them at Kew
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: Phil Sellens on October 08, 2011, 21:24:46 PM
Hi Mike
The Pebsham Aerodrome photograph in Richard Pollard's book is not captioned and measures only one inch by four inches. It apparently depicts the Mayor of Hastings, Alderman Chambers, opening the aerodrome on July 14th. 1948.There are nine or ten other people and a high wing, single engine aeroplane in the picture. The only part of the aircraft registration showing is G-A
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: pomme homme on June 03, 2012, 16:45:07 PM
Quote from: Phil Sellens on October 08, 2011, 21:24:46 PM
A high wing, single engine aeroplane in the picture. The only part of the aircraft registration showing is G-AI suspect that the high wing, single engine aeroplane was an Auster Autocrat and probably either G-AGYF or G-AIZY, which were operated from Pebsham by Hastings & East Sussex Air Services in the period 1948-51. This suspicion is borne out by the report of the opening ceremony which appeared in the Bexhill Observer of 17 July 1948, which report is reproduced below.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: Chris Parris on November 19, 2012, 18:07:09 PM
During the 1940's and 1950's I lived at 412 Bexhill Road, so had a good view of the aircraft activity at the aerodrome, which was beyond the recreation ground. I was an avid enthusiast and an aero modeller and spent much of my school holidays at the aerodrome. The booking hut for pleasure flights was operated by Hugh and Shirley Gordon, who then lived in a bungalow in York Road close to what was then the Glyne Gap Gasworks. I was keen to become involved and spent some time painting the perimeter marker boards and the wind indicator Tee, which needed to be rotated regularly.I was fortunate to have enjoyed several flights in the old Klemm, with Mr. George Lush and several free trips in the Auster Autocrat with Mick Macey. The black biplane was owned and flown by a lady named, 'Annie Ross'.Whilst the Klemm had the luxury of a nissen hut type hangar, (The wings detached and stored alongside the fuselage.)The biplane was kept outside, anchored to the ground by spiral wires.Unfortunately the weather began to take its toll on the fabric of the aircraft and eventually it was destroyed by cattle that were grazing on the airfield. There was a small air display, involving a variety of light aircraft, including several 'home built' varieties of the single seater 'Chilton'. The most impressive aircraft which I was fortunate to get a flight in, was an ex RAF De Havilland Chipmunk, flown by former Squadron Leader Rupert Bucknall. I'm sure I have a few photographs of the time, but it will take a while to dig them out.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: pomme homme on November 19, 2012, 18:45:39 PM
Thank you, Chris, and welcome to the forum!
Please forgive me if I describe you as a 'rare breed'. People who have actual knowledge of Pebsham Aerodrome, especially during the relatively short time in which it operated as such, are very few and far between. Thus if, as you reflect on the subject, other memories of Pebsham bubble to the surface, please do post details of them here and/or send them to me by way of a PM.
The 'black biplane' was, I suspect, Avro Prefect G-AHVO. I make reference to that in an earlier post. If you refer to that, you will see that Phil Sellens recollects it being dismantled and taken away on a low loader. Does this ring any bells with you, Chris? Maybe if it had been significantly damaged as a result of providing unusual fodder for cattle, the low loader was that of a local scrap merchant!
As to Annie Ross, this name is new to me. Can you add anything about her?
As to Mike Macey's Auster, I wonder whether this might have been a Mark V rather than an Autocrat? You'll also see that I make reference to this in earlier posts, which identify his two Mark Vs as G-ANIT and G-ANHR respectively. However if it is an Autocrat that you remember, maybe it was one of those which were operated by Hastings & East Sussex Air Services. These were GAGYF and G-AIZY respectively. Do they ring any bells?
The Klemm 25 of George Lush was G-AAHW. It came to Pebsham in 1939, from the long defunct aerodrome at Wilmington, and was stored in Hastings for the duration of the war. It was reassembled and flew again after the war. It exists today, in the Josef Koch collection in Germany.
As to the 'small air display', I wonder whether this was one of those which took place on the playing fields in 1979/80/81. I have the programmes for those. There is a Chipmunk listed in the programme for the 1979 display. However I can't find mention of any Chiltons - which are likely to have been D.W.1as - in the programme for any of these years. If you are able to find any photographs of Pebsham, particularly dating back to the 1940s or 50s, I shall be most interested to see them and so hope that you'll post them here.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: pomme homme on November 20, 2012, 07:44:38 AM
...........just a little more on the Avro Prefect. Having checked G-INFO (on the CAA website), it records the last owner of G-AHVO as being Albert George Harding of 14 Stone Street and then 1 Portland Place, Hastings. He was the registered owner between 14.09.48 and 18.05.50, when the registration of the aircraft was cancelled as it having been 'abandoned derelict'. That certainly would tally with your recollection of events,
Chris!
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: pomme homme on June 23, 2013, 21:19:21 PM
Maybe I'm not the only one with an interest in Hastings Aerodrome! A query in the March 2013 issue of Aeroplane elicited sufficient responses to occupy more than a half page in the June 2013 issue. I'll endeavour to scan and post that. However, when I do so it will be evident that someone on the staff of Aeroplane has read the relevant posts on this forum, even if they can't give credit where credit's due and mention the fact!
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: daveSea on June 23, 2013, 23:02:27 PM
Could have been a Grand Prix circuit this from the Times Mar 15 , 1954:-
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: pomme homme on June 24, 2013, 11:20:36 AM
From Aeroplane magazine, June 2013.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: John on December 27, 2013, 09:04:40 AM
Hastings and St Leonards Observer - Saturday 17 September 1938
SEED FOR AERODROME SITE. Alderman Morgan asked the Vice-Chairman of the Aerodrome and Air Raid Precautions Committee: May the Council be informed why so large a quantity as nine tons of grass seed is required for seeding the land already prepared at the aerodrome site?
Reply:
The land being sown at the moment consists of the runways, 37 acres in extent. The rate of sowing is 2 ozs. per square yard, or 5 cwt. per acre. It is essential that a strong root formation be formed as quickly as possible, in order that the ground can be available next autumn for any purpose. Experiments carried out on the site since 1935 have proved that the amount of seed being used is correct for this particular purpose. An expert who was called in after inspecting the site and analysing the soil confirmed this, and although his report stated that the quantity seemed high, it was justified by the exposed site and the retentive nature of the soil. This, of course, applies only to the runways. The remaining portions will be dealt with in an entirely different manner.Councillor Tingle asked the Vice-Chairman of the Aerodrome and Air Raid Precautions Committee: How many acres are to be sown for grass at the Pebsham Aerodrome with the nine tons of grass seed?
Reply: 37 acres are to be sown.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: Icare9 on December 27, 2013, 11:37:37 AM#
Oh dear, Cllr Tingle! You'd be in detention if at school you couldn't work out how many acres 9 tons of seed would cover at 5 cwt. an acre!!!
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: Pete on December 27, 2013, 13:07:00 PM
I bet he could work out his expenses & allowances though ;D
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: John on December 28, 2013, 14:26:42 PM
Hastings and St Leonards Observer -
Saturday 29 October 1938
AERODROME GRASS SEED.
Alderman Replies to Critics. Criticism of the action of the Emergency Committee of the Town Council in ordering nine tons of grass seed for the seeding of 37 acres at the Pebsham aerodrome site, at a cost of £535 10s., was answered at yesterday's Council meeting.
Councillor Raby asked the Chairman of the Parks and Gardens Committees- Will you please state the circumstances which, in your opinion, have justified the Council in spending so large a sum on sowing the aerodrome site with grass?Alderman T. S. Dymond replied:- As the member of the Council at present most intimately in touch with the Superintendent of Parks and Gardens, who has acted as the Council's adviser in this matter, I am grateful to Councillor Raby for addressing his question to me, and to the vicechairman the Aerodrome Committee for permitting me to reply. The 37 acres in question had to be grassed for use as an aerodrome by September, 1939. The land consisted of silty clay about 2 ft. deep, which had been dug out of the hillside overlying some 3 ft. of refuse. No more unpromising material on which to sow grass could have been found. The ordinary farming method for producing permanent pasture was out of the question. Instead of this, a light layer of soil supplemented with peat, both dug on the estate, was spread over the surface and afterwards limed, and in this the seed was sown. Our Superintendent has had wide experience in sowing down sports grounds, but not aerodromes, and the committee, therefore, obtained the Air Ministry's prescription for the grass seeds mixture that was considered most suitable for the purpose.This prescription was used, except that two of its most expensive ingredients were replaced by cheaper grasses, thus reducing the cost by 13 per cent. They had already ascertained, from six firms of seeds men, among them some of the best known of the firms that supply seed for aerodrome and sports ground purposes, the amount of seed that the firms thought necessary for our particular land. With one exception, they all recommended 5 2-5 cwt. per acre. From the firm tendering the lowest quotation, the seed was purchased at the rate of 5 cwt. per acre, but of this only 4½cwt. per acre was used, reserving the remainder in case any part of the area should need resowing. Little resowing seems likely to be necessary, so that we have in hand enough seed for six more acres when these are ready for seeding.Favoured with suitable weather, the seed has come up well, and the grass looks very promising. There seems to be no doubt that the sward will be fit for use by September next. As the quantity of seed used has been criticised, particulars have been ascertained of seeding the new aerodrome of another municipality, where only 3 cwt. of seed per acre have been used, as against our 4½ cwt.: but where the land was good agricultural land as against our raw silty clay. The saving in the quantity of seed used was more than counterbalanced by the more expensive seed and the cost of a liberal dressing of artificial manure, so that the total cost of seeding exceeds ours by 20 per cent.Early in October, Mr. P. W. Smith, the great authority on seeding aerodromes and sports grounds, visited the site. He reported that the sward was remarkably dense and vigorous for such a recent sowing and under such conditions, especially since less than 5 cwt. of seed per acre had been used. To have followed agricultural practice in sowing the ground would have led to the wrong sort of turf, and his experience of thin seeding (1 to 2 cwt. per acre) was far from satisfactory. He commends the methods adopted by the committee, and adds: "You have attempted to form an aerodrome on one of the most unfavourable sites from a (illegible) point view that I have encountered in my experience, and, judging from the results so far achieved, I consider that you deserve every credit for the allowances you have made in determining the method of tackling a difficult proposition."
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: John on December 28, 2013, 20:46:28 PM
Hastings and St Leonards Observer -
Saturday 31 December 1938
Pebsham Farmhouse May Become Aerodrome Hotel. The latest proposal with regard to the future development of the municipal aerodrome site at Pebsham is that the Pebsham Farmhouse should be converted into a clubhouse and hotel, so as to provide an attractive rendezvous for people using the aerodrome. Should the suggestion for the establishment of a Hastings-Le Touquet air service materialise, the hotel would provide convenient facilities for passengers arriving or departing by air. The "Observer" understands that there is no question of the aerodrome being used for military purposes, for the simple reason that it would not be large enough to permit of the landing and taking off of military planes. As previously announced, the Aerodrome Committee have received a number of applications from private flying concerns desirous of co-operating in the civil air guard movement, for the lease of the site, and these are to be presented to the Town Council in due course.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: John on December 28, 2013, 20:53:41 PM
Hastings and St Leonards Observer - Saturday 14 January 1939
Air Ministry and Local Aerodrome Scheme. Fears have been current locally that the Air Ministry will not grant a licence for the use of the municipal aerodrome at Pebsham unless the runways are extended. Councillor A. Goldman (chairman of the Aerodrome Committee), the Town Clerk (Mr. D. Jackson), and the Borough Engineer (Mr. B. Little) visited the Air Ministry on Wednesday to discuss the position. It unlikely that there will be any obstacles in the way of the aerodrome being developed for use in connection with the Civil Air Guard scheme. It is understood that the Air Ministry have considered very favourably the existing position the aerodrome as regards runways, but since it is the desire of the Aerodrome Committee to introduce air-line working of a Continental character and possibly to cooperate with air-lines in this country, it will be necessary for the runways at Pebsham to be extended to 200 yards. This is to be done forthwith. An expert from the Ministry is to visit the site during the coming week. Provided his report is favourable, the committee have no reason to expect that a licence for the aerodrome will be withheld.
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: pomme homme on December 29, 2013, 12:21:03 PM
Thank you, John, for your recent postings of these transcripts from the Hastings & St. Leonards Observer. I had thought that I'd identified and put together a complete set of cuttings from the Hastings & St. Leonards and the Bexhill Observers concerning Pebsham Aerodrome. The absence therefrom of those which you've posted suggests I'll have to undertake the exercise again! Is your source of these transcripts the Hastings Library microfiche copies of these newspapers or are they from a different source?
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: John on December 29, 2013, 12:31:01 PM
They are sourced from the British Newspaper Archive (http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/), a lazy way of doing things;)
Title: Re: Hastings (Pebsham) Aerodrome
Post by: PNK on January 01, 2014, 15:51:45 PM
Nothing wrong with lazy :) BNA is a great source but you can whittle down the credits (paid for) on the same article published in different newspapers. I normally store up searches and buy a 7 day credit package, although that can go in half a day!