Merlin Flying Club Pageant – 7 June 2014.

Just trying to sort out why Photobucket is making uploading difficult. I of course agree with AA that Hucknall is a very historic aerodrome. It was opened in WW.1 as a defence of Nottingham and training depot station and it was reopened as the Rolls Royce test airfield and also housed 504 Sqn (County of Nottingham). Local Labour Councillors have been trying for years to stop flying at the ‘drome’. It is one of the few green spaces left ( and one of the few places were there are lots of Skylarks) as the conurbation creeps out.

The very long, hard runway had been blocked about 2/3rds of the length for some years with an RR engine test rig. There is of course a large Golf course adjacent to the field and a former colliery site.

John

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What a shame if this proves to be the ‘grand finale’ for Hucknall. With British aerodromes being closed and redeveloped for alternative (i.e. more lucrative) purposes at such a rate, I’m glad that I don’t live in that country any more. It’s funny, but why doesn’t it seem to happen to golf courses as well?

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Just trying to work out why Photobucket isn’t posting photos as before.

John

A few photos from Hucknall.

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I arrived at Hucknall around 11.30 in heavy rain and low cloud. The rain abated about 13.00 and to my surprise, from the direction of the Rolls Royce hangar came a taxying ‘Iolar’ the Irish DH 84 Dragon from Aer Lingus. I was fortunate enough to be allowed a look in the Dragon by the genial Irish crew. Then out of the “clag” came an Auster AOP.9 followed by the P.51 ‘Marrinell’ and a US registered Pitts S.2A. The CFI gave his usual immaculate Cessna 150 Aerobat display on a grey background . Iolar next displayed and demonstrating the luck of the Irish the weather just magically brightened. From then on the very small crowd of only a hundred or so witnessed the arrival, landing and then superb long displays displays of the Yak team and the Spitfire PR.11 PL965, Mustang and Pitts Little Rumble in bright clearing skies. Well done the Merlin Flying club. I drove back home with the hood down!

John

Better weather now prevalent around these parts – so much so I believe that the sound of a Spitfire display can be heard in the distance!! 🙂

Just caught a glimpse of a low-level Mustang(?) heading over to Hucknall – despite a really low cloud base; a nice surprise whilst waiting for the BBC to call to record some items for Cockpit-Fest! :eagerness:

Hi
Just bumping this thread up.The weathers not looking too good.

Weather permitting we will be taking along our Chipmunk cockpit section, and have been told to offer an open invitation to any other cockpiteers. So if anyone is interested in displaying, please get in touch with me ASAP an I will make arrangements.

Ritch.

The post code would suggest that this event is somewhere in the Nottingham area?

Mark

Hucknall Aerodrome. Probably the last year this will happen, as the airfield is shortly to become a housing estate.

The post code would suggest that this event is somewhere in the Nottingham area?

Mark

Hi
Its Merlin Pageant .I known I missed the t off woops.