Bolt Head 3rd May

Nice picture of Salcombe there Martin!
We normally holiday in a cottage at Bolberry,which is just up the road,but I have never been able to find the Bolt Head strip!

Could anyone point me in the direction please?

I have never been in the cottage hotel either,even though we have walked past it a few times on our way to the cove,I must call in for a pint and have a look at the pictures etc.

Thanks.

Sorry to have missed this one; we were engaged in other duties elsewhere. It would be nice to bring the Harvard in for this next year. It is one of those places I have planned to go to but not managed yet.

Anyone know what the date is for next year or when it will be set?

Cheers.

I dont think you need to go to those lengths to get another flight. It was my mode of transport down to Bolt Head and back and I must be getting old (or fatter!) as it was a bit of a squeeze getting in. I tried an Autocar for size two weeks ago and somehow didnt fit. I blame my diet of real ale. No mention of pies is required please!!!

Martin

Haha, still haven’t had a go in an Autocar…. yet!

I’ve just noticed that the date for Middle Wallop is two days from my 21st Birthday, so should be a good weekend

The NT were approached a while a ago and were very supportive of the event, it meant that there was 900m from end to end but it also meant that the east end hedge was removed making the approach slightly better for the Spitfire. The organisers did a terrific job and were rewarded with some good weather and a big crowd for a remote part of Devon! I hope the Charities did well. Two terrific displays by the Hurricane (Keith Dennison) and the Spitfire (Anthony Hodgson). There is a short clip on youtube – love the sound! Due to the strong crosswind and narrow runway Anthony elected to land at Plymouth after the display as any deviation from the runway would of caused a nose over in the soft ground.
The event was graced by a number of veteran pilots including a 41 Sqd veteran who flew from Bolt Head in 1944. We were fortunate to be staying at the Cottage Hotel at Hope Cove which was used as the Officers Mess and still had the wooden panels above the fireplace with the names of aircrew scratched into it! There was also a number of photographs of the aircrews at Bolt Head and Hope Cove so it made for an interesting evening.

Nice – I wonder if Richard will let me go in the Mk III again if I get some jungle greens and a beret with Royal Artillery cap badge!

I dont think you need to go to those lengths to get another flight. It was my mode of transport down to Bolt Head and back and I must be getting old (or fatter!) as it was a bit of a squeeze getting in. I tried an Autocar for size two weeks ago and somehow didnt fit. I blame my diet of real ale. No mention of pies is required please!!!

Martin

Nice – I wonder if Richard will let me go in the Mk III again if I get some jungle greens and a beret with Royal Artillery cap badge!

As much as my allegiance is towards Austers, that’s a very pretty Piper Cub

G-BHXY owned by Fred Rogers of Saltash and rebuilt by Dave Silsbury, who flew it to the event, dressed in a wartime USAAF Officer’s uniform. An immaculate aeroplane and pilot!!:)

Martin

As much as my allegiance is towards Austers, that’s a very pretty Piper Cub

Here are some more snapshots from the weekend. I apologise for their quality!!

Martin

Looks like the strip was extended. How long was it?

Believe it was to about 800yds, but both the Hurricane and Spitfire taxiied just to the start of the new extension before taking off. The National Trust from what I am told, were very much in support of the project to lengthen the runway back to almost its full length. I for one, fully support their actions as the day was a tremendous success.

The current runway is positioned a little to the North of the the original as where the track is shown on my aerial photo, this is the northern boundary of the one of the original runways. The other one which ran south west to north east is in the position of the car park in the top left hand corner of the aerial shot. The car park and the land adjacent to it, formed part of that runway.

Martin

Believe that the National Trust who own the land have lengthened the runway back to its wartime size.

Forgive me if it sounds cynical, but recreating an old airfield, and allowing noisy aeroplanes to use it, sounds very unlike a NT activity. But maybe they did it without telling the members or the committees. If so, long may such stealth activities continue!

Looks like the strip was extended. How long was it?

Looks like a good weekend, any more photos Martin?

I did take some, but I’m not a photographer (just have a pinhole digital!!), but will try and find some more. The smaller I make them, the better they look and then thats with a 7 mega pixel camera…..you get what you pay for I suppose:)

Martin

Looks like a good weekend, any more photos Martin?

Bolt Head, the 41 Squadron operational base for surviving Spitfire XII project EN224 EB-L, during May/June 1944.

All photographs please in a sealed envelope etc. Reward.

Mark

Well something did happen at this somewhat forgotten WW2 airfield – a vintage aeroplane and vehicle rally was held within and a good time was had by all.

Star exhibits were Peter Vacher’s Hurricane and Anthony Hodgson’s two seat Spitfire Trainer, althought these were joined by a wide range of other types during the weekend including Austers, Cubs, Aeroncas, Tipsy Belfair etc etc.

I’m not a great one for sleeping in a tent, but after a recommendation from our wonderful taxi driver for a meal and then a few drinks, I didnt mind that much at all. Cept that it rained during the night (must get some ear plugs next time..for me and my friends as I’m told I snore).

A big thank you must go to Chris Howell and John and Trish Kempton (the main organisers) for looking after us so well all weekend. Here’s to next year!!

Martin