The history gamston was originally an raf aerodrome with 3 runways in a triangular configuration as mentioned above one of which only one remains in common usage. Lincolnshires haunted airfields october 15, 2016 february 16, 2019 mj wayland haunted airfield, weird world war a faint throb of a lancaster returning in the morning mist, a light flickers in a disused control tower and a roar of laughter comes from the derelict pilots quarters. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Retford aerodromeraf retford air personnel and the war. Aircraft spotting at nottinghamshires airfields and airports. Although gamstonretford aerodrome is very easy to find, maps of this aerodrome provide a good example of how it can sometimes be quite difficult to find disused aerodromes today. Royal air force hixon or more simply raf hixon was a royal air force station located on the north western edge of the village of hixon in staffordshire, england. All quiet at retford gamston airport,good time to sit and have a nice slice of mediterranean quiche, a good black coffee and read a good book. Gamston flying school retford 2020 all you need to know. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected.
The newark air museum is keen to locate any inservice photographs of aircraft and personnel that were operating from gamston. We can provide training and testing for the caa radiotelephony licence. Gamston was home to a rectory in the past, and today forms the name of a lane in the village. The friendliest and most flexible ga facility in the uk. The food is fantastic and the cafe facilities are great. Gamston uk airfield guide a guide to the history of. November 2007 meeting report keyworth local history society. Michael jones book, fairoaks airport, an illustrated history, was a real labour of love and he continues to share his passion about the chobham airfield, currently under threat of closure to. Chartering private jets to and from retford gamston airport has never been easier. If anyone knows of any errors in the above map we would be pleased to hear from you, you can email us plymouth.
The boxted airfield historical group was founded with the aims of educating, as well as promoting and preserving the history of boxted airfield, including its association with the various usaaf and raf groups that were based here during and after world war ii. Currently an active airfield for light aircraft and business jets. Gamston cafe the apron has been opened a few months and many people based at other airfields airports do not know. The kart club shares the airfield with the present shenington gliding club. Aircraft spotting at nottinghamshires airfields and airports spotting locations, viewing areas and advice on access for airports and airfields in nottinghamshire. Gamston weather unofficial meteorological observation. Home gamston lock in gamston pub and restaurant rotisserie. The hope for the history is to create a complete and interesting record of the clubs history from 1935 to the current day, with notable flights and members exploits and achievements and mishaps recorded for posterity. Welcome to the gamston lock in gamston, a stylish familyfriendly pub in a fantastic setting opposite holme pierrepont country park. The following organisations are either based at, use andor have at least potentially significant connections with the airfield as at 010720. Plan flight to gamston view gamston notams view gamston weather nearby airfields map users. To book a private jet to or from retford gamston airport call victor on. Training will be conducted at gamston for the caa rt practical test by tim darby a boeing 737 captain. It is used mainly for small private aircraft as well as a base for several private flying schools.
Use the hotlinks above or scroll down for spotting information on spotting locations, airfield hangar access, aviation museums, preserved aircraft. In may 1943 it became the satellite of no 82 otu based at raf ossington equipped with wellingtons. A memorial stone is situated near the entrance to the kart circuit. Airfield of the great war air personnel and the war in. Allow 3 hours for all briefings, flying the route and debriefing. Since childhood he has been fascinated by all aspects of aviation history. To the east of the village, beyond the east coast railway line, is gamston wood. Books contrails my war record a history of world war two as recorded at u. Response from tomlcooper, owner at gamston flying school responded 24 oct 2019 robert, im really glad to hear that you enjoyed your trial flying lesson from start to. Gamston airport raf gamston retford gamston airport. It is not possible to book a particular date and time before purchase. After the end of world war ii all training ceased and the airfield was closed. The history is intended to become a living document, with additional information to keep it accurate and up to date.
Between closing in 1945 and reopening in 1953, some motor racing took place in 1950 and 1951, organised by the nottinghamshire sports car club. Gamston airport was originally built as a royal air force aerodrome with three runways in a triangular configuration of. Gamston is situated near the a57 easy to reach from sheffield, nottingham and lincoln. Perhaps the single biggest personal discovery i made in researching this book concerns the history of ballooning in the uk. View your guide for pubs and bars, restaurants, clubs. History of raf stations ossington and gamston world war. Retford gamston airport map united kingdom airports.
Gamston is a village and civil parish four miles south of retford in the english county of nottinghamshire. When it receives a series of electrical pulses within a fivesecond period, a decoder energizes one, two, or three relays to activate pilotcontrolled lighting. The village lies on the a638 road between retford and the markham. Youre scanning blackness below, looking for the nontowered airport, when you spot the rotating beacon. For a long time airfields were the main target of enemy attacks, so for these reasons airfields have been included. Nice compact and pleasant airfieldfriendly and reassuring instructor and lovely sunny morning. A great afternoon spent flying around the countryside and a visit to gamston airfield in nottinghamshire what better way to spend a day. The history of manston airfield site is dedicated to the history of manston airfield, in kent from its first official usage back in 1916 it is intended to bring together the various sources of information at events, squadrons, aircraft and personnel that have been involved in the site. Fire crews from newark and retford stations were scrambled to the. If anyone knows the co of 186 sqn while at retford, maydec 1918, id be grateful for details the original information in the library is major c. The 1st of september 2019 is the wartime memories projects 20th birthday. Emergency services were called to gamston a small private airport on the outskirts of retford where one person in a light aircraft was trapped. This was my first visit there even though i dont live far away. A real oportuntity to learn more about helicopters.
The letter mentions langar airfield, which was used by the nottingham sports car club in. The ancient parish wood was purchased by the forestry commission in 1984 and covers 41 hectares 100 acres. History of raf stations ossington and gamston world war two. Much has been written about the a1, both its history and its legacy, but little about. Our museum is open to the public on various dates during the year. Since passing his gft for a private pilots license on the 30th june 1989 in the cessna 152 gwacb at wycombe air park the gates of opportunity opened and he has, for example, flown an aircraft in.
Flying lessons and pleasure flights at gamston in nottinghamshire. Traditionally the november meeting is a members evening when members of the society, rather than a guest speaker, make a. Map of gamston airfield, gamston, dn22 0ql, uk cylex. It would appear that motor racing first took place at gamston on 7 august 1950 on a 2. Ive seen a ww2 map of gamston which clearly shows the a1 trunk road passing to the east of the aerodrome whereas for the past thirty years or so it passes. Dea aviation limited dea is an aviation company based at retford gamston airport in the. Buy history of raf stations ossington and gamston world war two by taylor, william isbn. Jun 03, 2011 a brief history of squadrons based at the airfield. Nov 30, 2004 the airfield rt is referring to is the second world war airfield, raf gamston,2 miles south of retford, adjacent to the a1 which opened 62 years ago this month as a satellite to no 14 pilots advanced flying unit at raf ossington down the road near newark. Station then transferred for training to 93 group bomber command. This page combines information for the address gamston airfield, gamston, retford, dn22 0ql, and the neighbourhood in which it resides. Initially wellington bombers used the airfield for flying practice, but occasionally supplying aircraft and crew for operational bombing raids. Plus a fabulous scandinavianstyle patio with its own fireplace. In may 1953 gamston reopened as a satellite for nearby raf worksop and 211 advanced flying school later no.
Area information for gamston airfield, gamston, retford, dn22 0ql. Arg forum gamston retford gamston airport this page last updated on. Should you wish to leave a small donation towards the upkeep. The gliders involved in the most classic cugc adventures, such as the olympia that was ditched in the sea twice. The airport is today owned and operated by gamston aviation limited which purchased the operation in july 1993.
Disappointing flying lesson gamston flying school, retford. Map of wartime airfields in england, scotland and wales. Military aerodrome later civil aerodrome and gliding site. Some of the airfield buildings were utilised as industrial units, many timber storage sheds were built on the old runways and a council tip was established on the site. Ppl ground school training for pilots at retford, gamston. Each airfield is described with a short history, firstperson accounts, and information on airfield buildings, illustrated with photographs and maps, making this book. Learn to fly and get your private pilots licence ppl, have a trial lesson with an instructor, or hire an aircraft from retford gamston airport with gamston flying school on the border of yorkshire, lincolnshire and nottinghamshire.
Two aoc based operators ias medical and diamond executive aviation are also based on the airfield. Page 1 of 2 langar airfield posted in the nostalgia forum. Retford aerodromeraf retford air personnel and the war in. Edwinstowe air crash assistance request 26th february 1944. It was part of the raf training command as well as a satellite to ossington airfield, 8 mi km to the south. It came into service in december 1942 as part of the raf training command as well as being a satellite to raf ossington.
Flying started from the site in 1941 as raf edgehill. This website is run entirely as a hobby and in my spare time, it is paid for out of my own pocket. A brief history of squadrons based at the airfield. The airfield rt is referring to is the second world war airfield, raf gamston,2 miles south of retford, adjacent to the a1 which opened 62 years ago this month as a satellite to no 14 pilots advanced flying unit at raf ossington down the road near newark. Gamston airport was originally built as an royal air force aerodrome, to the familiar three runway configuration of which only one remains in common usage, and came into service in december 1942. The postcode is within the welbeck wardelectoral division, which is in the constituency of bassetlaw. A really nice airfield, very clean, neat and quiet.
We have a beautiful beer garden with a brilliant childrens play area. The area has been designated as a site of specific interest. A great xmas gift from my son and his wifecan tick this off the old bucket list now. Gamston retford airfields of britain conservation trust uk. Learn to fly and get your private pilots licence ppl, have a trial lesson with an instructor, or hire an aircraft from retford gamston airport with gamston flying. Raf gamston, notts, september 2018 derelict places. Gamston airfield in gamston is in the east midlands region of england. Gamston is a little known airfield, but it is one that played an.
Retford gamston airport east retford airport facebook. Indeed many aa sites including aa guns, searchlights, radar and locating equipment, were built around airfield sites. This page combines information for the address gamston airfield, gamston, retford, dn22. The book is currently at the printers being prepared for its initial print. It really is a most fascinating period in the 19th century, and has continued ever since. In the 7th january 2010 edition of autosport, theres a letter on pg 88 adding to the list of known british tracks which are no longer used. Retford gamston airport egne, england, private jet charter victor. Anyone interested in the full history of an airfield should consult one of the excellent websites about ww2 airfields. Area information for gamston airfield, gamston, retford. A small corner of the airfield was used by a crop dusting firm and in 1989, the real aeroplane company moved in and so began the regeneration of the airfield that we know today.
Lincolnshires haunted airfields mj wayland ghost historian. Agriculture arg forum gamston retford gamston airport this page last updated on. Langar airfield the nostalgia forum the autosport forums. Retford gamston airport is an international private jet airport located in united kingdom. Starting in 1935, cugc members flew a variety of interesting gliders and even designed and built their own granta glider. The first pulse from a microphone click starts the five.
If you would like to send us a present, a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting or this site will vanish from the web. Opened as satellite to 14 p afu flying training command at ossington. Founded in 2006 by peter bondar and chris dawes, the company was granted its aoc in 2009. Discovering our aviation history, and double listings. Many technical designs for locating aircraft were also developed from airfields. The airfield was used extensively during the second world war, being opened in july 1942 and was immediately occupied by no.