Historic Walks RAF Davidstow Moor

That Antonov flight had my husband on it as well. In Ian Stokes day I think.:rolleyes:

Yes it was in the days of Ian Stokes before I believe he moved overseas.

I had never seen an An-2 before (remember this is Cornwall) and was told by everyone at Bodmin that one was staying over for a couple of nights before going onto the St.Mawgan air day. So, I arrived early at Bodmin to find that it had been delayed at White Waltham and so I waited and waited. Two gentlemen in flying suits arrived and thinking that they were connected to the An-2, I approached them only to find that they were from Davidstow and like myself were killing time to await the arrival of the Antonov. It seemed that the An-2 was to visit there first and so not wanting to wait any longer, I left my friends behind and followed these two chaps out to the microlight club. My friends thought I was impatient and was going home.

At Davidstow there was no An-2 and I was asked if I would like a cup of tea only to be told it would be £25. This I thought was a little steep, but it seemed it would be a donation to the club and as a result I could have a seat in the back of the An-2 whilst it took club members on a jolly. Well, it eventually arrived and I had the best cup of tea I’d ever had.

My friends when I saw them the next Saturday down the flying club said I had been stupid to go home as the An-2 had made a lovely pass down the runway at Bodmin. For some reason, they werent too pleased when they saw my photos. I dont know why.

Best wishes to all,

Martin

I do recommend having a look around if you can, I’ve been going there since I was a kid, and I truely believe there isn’t a deserted airfield like it.
Its not that far from the main A30, and despite being hidden from the main roads, is fairly easy to find.

Historic Walks RAF Davidstow Moor

That Antonov flight had my husband on it as well. In Ian Stokes day I think.:rolleyes:

Thanks Anne!

I hope we might make it – but a Wednesday means work usually.

SoG

Same goes for me, but I should be able to get the afternoon off work. Will see what happens when I ask next week. It would be good to learn more about the site as its one of those places that you go through or over and dont think that much of (bit like Winkleigh I suppose). Now’s the time to learn.

When it was open to GA, I went in there on a number of occasions in a Super Cub (avoiding the learner drivers of course) and even had an An-2 flight (OM-UIN) with the microlight club there in the early 1990s.

Martin

Thanks Anne!

I hope we might make it – but a Wednesday means work usually.

SoG

Historic Walks RAF Davidstow Moor

You’re right! The airfield isn’t very visible from the main roads although you may spot some of the dispersed sites if you’re not concentrating on your driving! It lies 2 miles NE Camelford, just off the junction of the A39 and A395. It is crossed by the road from Camelford to Altarnun so, if you can find it, everything is very accessible. Part of the site is ‘right to roam’ and part is open but private. In total it covers 700acres.

Once you find the large Dairycrest [Davidstow Cheddar] factory you’re there even though you still can’t see it.

For my sins I was watching the first ever episode of ‘Doc Martin’ on ITV4 last night.
For those who don’t know, it’s all about a GP played by Martin Clunes who lives in a mythical Cornish fishing village, in a house with views to die for and, as we all, know it’s filmed in Port Isaac and the surrounding area, which, like the setting for ‘Kingdom’, is a place we know and love.
In last nights episode, he was forced off the road, looked like Bodmin Moor, and was given a lift home by the local copper in his Landrover.
To my surprise, they were suddenly driving round an airfield, which was devoid of buildings but had lots of runways, taxiways etc all intact, then over our heroes shoulder I could clearly see the derelict control tower of Davidstow Moor, having just read this thread, I thought it was an amazing coincidence.
I wouldn’t be surprised if more scenes where shot on the airfield in further episodes, I haven’t seen many myself as its not the most cerebral of TV programmes, has anyone seen any of it.
Oddly enough, I’ve been on holiday in that area several times over the last few years, but, unusually for me, never had a sniff round the place, it can’t be very visible from a major public road, however, I must have driven right past it last year, but I recall that on that particular day the weather was so foul that you couldn’t see past the hedges on the road.