An interesting thread on Pprune has pulled up some recently found photos, including this rare two-seat Grebe which spun in next to Eastchurch (Isle of Sheppey) primary school in 1930.
Six of these were flown by 25 Squadron to assist in formation aerobatic practice , including J7530. A look at multimap seems to indicate that the area remain relatively undeveloped, and it is possible that the view still looks quite similar, though probably now minus the Grebe!
Eastchurch airfield was once a flourishing RNAS flying field, and seemingly some of the hangars and structures remain.
By: 25deg south - 10th November 2006 at 18:36
Lovely.
Even less sure what the bloke’s doing up the flagpole!
As it looks all very RN I expect he’d be “standing on the button” a few minutes later 🙂
By: low'n'slow - 10th November 2006 at 17:28
The old Eastchurch airfield site has been a prison for many years but is now being given up(strange as I thought we were short of prisons) and the local council has an ambitious project, utilising the old WW1 hangars as a museum/visitor centre.
Details on their web site. http://www.theflyingstart.co.uk/main4.htmHas anyone any pictures taken at Easchurch, a relative was stationed their for a while.
Not entirely sure, but we suspect the attached were taken at Eastchurch in 1915-16. Even less sure what the bloke’s doing up the flagpole! 😀
Hope the Flying Start folks leave enough room for a landing strip. Would love to take the BE replica in there one day!
Come to think of it – how about a “Shuttleworth of the South”??
By: anneorac - 9th November 2006 at 10:27
Whoopee…a Grebe thread at last! One of my all time fav aircraft.
J7530 was on the strength of the Armament & Gunnery School at the time of the mishap (10th April 1930)
Thanks for posting the pictures.
Anne
By: pogno - 9th November 2006 at 00:06
The old Eastchurch airfield site has been a prison for many years but is now being given up(strange as I thought we were short of prisons) and the local council has an ambitious project, utilising the old WW1 hangars as a museum/visitor centre.
Details on their web site. http://www.theflyingstart.co.uk/main4.htm
Has anyone any pictures taken at Easchurch, a relative was stationed their for a while.
By: The Blue Max - 8th November 2006 at 22:30
Interesting pics, any Gamecock ones?
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November 8, 2006 at 10:07 pm