Kjeller airfield under threat (History from 1912)

Thank you for all your inputs.
Just wanted to post a picture to show what it looks like at Kjeller.
Not always this busy here, but every year there is a flying day and this year it was held last saturday (15th May).
Dakota Norway with LN-WND.
Harvard LN-WNH and Vampire LN-JET.

The Royal Flying Corps’ Central Flying School was formed at Upavon in Wiltshire on 12 May 1912.

[QUOTE=
That is quite interesting… as Kjeller has been a military base continuously operating from its official opening on 21 september 1912. (counting 1940-1945 under German occupation)
QUOTE]

Wingnut,

It appears each airfield was formed about the same time, maybe six months difference with Kjeller starting first.

There is one other parallel for both airfields. Both operated the Maurice Farman Shorthorn. The RAAF Museum’s example can be seen at; http://www.raafmuseum.com.au/raaf2/html/m_f_shorthorn.htm

Chris

Quote:

RAAF Base Point Cook is the oldest continuously operating military airfield in the world.

Chris

Hmm!

That is quite interesting… as Kjeller has been a military base continuously operating from its official opening on 21 september 1912. (counting 1940-1945 under German occupation)
On 21 september 1912 Capain Thaulow took off in Maurice Farman Longhorn in good weather at about 5pm and flew for about 12 minutes, the history books tells us.
A total of four flight was flown that day.
Kjeller celebrated 90 years in september 2002 with an open day.

Maybe we can claim to be the oldest…?

Erik

Very few and those the can are often very significant historically. For example farnborough can claim this as can Nether Wallop, where the RFC was more or less formed).

I meant Netheravon. I spent too much time with an American this week and my brain is fried!

MH

Wingnut, your plea for support for Kjeller airfield is familiar. We have been battling similar forces here in Melbourne where Pt Cook has been under the same threat for some time. It appears that the development forces have been “seen off” for the time being however vigilance must be ongoing.

The RAAF Museum is located on he base.

Website; http://www.raafmuseum.com.au/raaf2/index.htm

Below is an edited history of Pt Cook.

Quote:

RAAF Base Point Cook is the oldest continuously operating military airfield in the world.

The legacy of Point Cook to the history of both Australia and the Air Force began in 1913 when the site was purchased by the Government with a view to forming a military aviation corps.

On March 31, 1921, The Royal Australian Air Force was formed at Point Cook with 21 officers, 130 airmen and 170 aircraft.

The first pilot to gain his wings at Point Cook was a then Lieutenant Richard Williams, later to become Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams, the “father” of the Royal Australian Air Force.

Point Cook played host to many “firsts” in Australian military and civil aviation, including the first circumnavigation of Australia (1924) and first international flight (1926).

No. 1 Flying Training School was formed at the base in 1926.

Point Cook was home to Australian military flying training for 60 years, from 1933 to 1993, and the base for Air Force educational and training institutions from 1947 onwards. The RAAF College was formed at Point Cook in 1947 and the RAAF Academy in 1961.

End quote.

Chris

Very few and those the can are often very significant historically. For example farnborough can claim this as can Nether Wallop, where the RFC was more or less formed).

This is one you should highlight to the editorial offices of the major mags. Not just here in the UK but also such things as Classic Wings Down Under (a fine mag) and any other you can think of. You also need to do it NOW as lead times can be difficult.

Any airfield should be preserved, developing them is usually a fudge of planning rules. Put the pressure on in any way you can.

Good Luck,

Melvyn Hiscock