Out of interest, what is the composition of the grass strip at Duxford ?

Is it just hard packed grass and earth ?. Or is there more to it ?

Please bear in mind that the metalled runway is essentially a W.W.II development, only pioneered in some locations prior to the war.

Most ‘airfields’ were just that, grass and earth fields only specialised by better drainage (where required) and buildings off to one side and a white circle to identify it.

It was the density of traffic, the increasing weight of aircraft and take off and landing speeds that made metalled or temporary-surfaced runways required during the war. That’s why pre-war many long distance and ‘heavy’ aircraft were flying boats and the Air Ministry were experimenting with catapults to get heavy, loaded bombers (Avro Manchester) into the air.

Even today a properly maintained grass field is quantifiably better for vintage and early warbird aircraft to operate from.

Regards,