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Old Buckenham Airfield

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by PrioryFlyer (talk | contribs) at 23:24, 26 March 2014 (updating runway lengths from the UK AIP). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Old Buckenham Airfield
453rd Shield carved during WWII and used as the Airfield's logo since 2013
Summary
Airport typePrivate
OwnerGeoffrey Lynch OBE
OperatorBuckenham Aviation Centre Limited
ServesOld Buckenham
LocationSouth Norfolk
Elevation AMSL194 ft / 59 m
Websitewww.oldbuck.com
Map
EGSV is located in Norfolk
EGSV
EGSV
Location in Norfolk
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
07/25 640 2,099 Asphalt
07/25 407 1,335 Grass
02/20 428 1,404 Grass
Sources: UK AIP at NATS[1]

Old Buckenham Airfield (ICAO: EGSV), formerly RAF Old Buckenham, is located 12 NM (22 km; 14 mi) southwest of Norwich,[1] East Anglia, England.

Old Buckenham Aerodrome has a CAA Ordinary Licence (Number P907) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee (Buckenham Aviation Centre Limited). The aerodrome is not licensed for night use.[2]


2011 Change of Management

On 23 August 2011 the Eastern Daily Press announced that the airfield was under new management.[3] This followed a period of uncertainty about the airfield's future. In previous years the then operating company reported a consistent loss making position, caused by the economic downturn.[4] At this time the airfield manager changed to Matt Wilkins, a property consultant retained by the owners.

Old Buckenham Airshow

In December 2011 it was announced that the Old Buckenham Airshow would return in 2012.[5] The show had not gone ahead in 2011 due to the financial climate and management issues. It was later confirmed that the headline act would be the Old Flying Machine Company Spitfire and Mustang Duo of MH434 and Mustang "Ferocious Frankie" both of which belonged to the late Ray Hanna Further details were revealed in several press articles and radio interviews prior to the airshow [6]

The airfield management declared the 2012 Airshow a success and announced that the Airshow would once again become an annual event. On 25 October 2012, the airfield manager, Matt Wilkins announced that the 2013 Airshow would be a two day event.[7] Subsequent announcements from the airfield indicated that the main acts would be the return of the Spitfire and Mustang Duo, together with a World Record attempt by Brendan O'Brien. O'Brien was attempting a new world record; the shortest distance truck top landing recorded. Wind conditions on the day meant that O'Briens chances of success were slim. In the event he came within inches of achieving his goal on the 5th attempt.[8] On landing, Wilkins agreed with O'Brien that the record would be attempted again in 2014. This agreement was announced on the airshow commentary several minutes later.

The airfield has confirmed that there will be an airshow in 2014, on 26 and 27 July. This has been reported widely in the local press.[9] Further details of the show were widely covered by the Eastern Daily Press in March 2014 [10]. The Airshow was also the lead item on the second bulletin of Mustard TV, the new terrestrial TV channel for Norwich [11]. The participation of a Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing was confirmed in the TV report.

In late 2013 it was announced that the airfield was building new hangars.[12]

War Memorial

The memorial consists of a large stone of black granite, carved into the form of a tailplane from the B-24 Liberator which were based at the airfield and was installed on 29 July 1990[13] by Jim Avis. At its base was a square plaque with an outline plan of the the three runways and perimeter track inscribed together with the words "Designed and presented by J.K.Avis".[14] The plaque has been relocated elsewhere in the memorial garden as part of the relocation.

In October 2012 the airfield announced that work had started to relocate the memorial stone commemorating the 366 USAAF personnel who died serving from RAF Old Buckenham.[15][16] The new garden was officially opened by Pat Ramm who officiated at the Remembrance Sunday service. Over 400 people attended the service around the memorial garden.

The memorial garden features flagpoles which usually fly two American Flags. During large events and Remembrance Sunday the poles fly a large American Flag and Union Jack. The memorial stone is at the end of a path cut in the form of a figure 8 to symbolise the Eighth Air Force. The figure 8 path is made from large blue slate chippings. A commemorative plaque at its base reads "This Memorial Garden was opened on the 11th November 2012 by Pat Ramm. It was created by Shaun Hindle, Steve Garrett, Scott Cooper, Lee Belcher & Matt Wilkins"

In 2013 the airfield changed its logo to a shield, originally carved by a serving USAAF officer during World War Two. The shield appears on the War Memorial and is now used by the airfield in all its activities. The memorial is described in several publications issued by the airfield [17] as being the main focal point of the airfield. This marks an sea change in management style and the airfield management have said that they are fostering links with Memorial Groups in the USA.

Military Revival & Battlefront Military Museum

In June 2012 Battlefront, The East England Military Museum, moved to hangars at Old Buckenham Airfield. Their base at the airfield contains over 5,000 exhibits, currently not on display to the public.[18] In October 2012 it was announced that the airfield and museum would collaborate on a new show called Military Revival [19] The show received press attention [20] when a sequence of promotional videos were released, showing a Citroen Van being destroyed by a FV180 Combat Engineer Tractor [21] and a later video showing a lawn mower being flattened by a World War 2 unexploded German bomb.

The first Military Revival took place on 5 and 6 October and the airfield management announced that the show would be run again in 2014.[22] The inaugural show was widely covered in the regional press.[23][24]

Following Military Revival, it was announced that several of the main exhibits would be placed on permanent public display at the airfield by Battlefront.[25][26] Machines on display include a Russian T-55 tank which was used in the James Bond film Goldeneye, a Multiple Launch Rocket System and a MGM-52 Lance Nuclear Missile. The EDP article cites that the exhibits are available to view whenever the airfield is open.

A Celebration of the Life of Wing Commander Ken Wallis

On 4 September the airfield announced that it had been asked by the Wallis family to host a day of celebration for Ken Wallis.[27] Wallis had been had been a regular visitor to the airfield for thirty years, last attending during the 2013 Airshow. In 2012 the airfield manager, Matt Wilkins, announced that Wallis had been given lifetime membership as member number 007, celebrating his contribution to the airfield, aviation and marking his appearance as James Bond in You only live twice with the autogyro Little Nellie which Wallis had built and demonstrated to Albert R. Broccoli.

On 29 September the airfield's Blister Hangar was cleared and Little Nellie delivered and put on display on a stage in the centre. The rear wall of the hangar featured a 40' banner showing pictures from Wallis' life. Local planning regulations were lifted to allow autogyros to fly in. It was anticipated that 500 people would attend. Estimates of actual attendance range between 3 - 4,000. The event attracted considerable press attention including coverage over two days on regional television and large pictorials in regional newspapers.[28]

Sale to Geoffrey Lynch, OBE

On 2 July 2013 it was announced that the airfield had been sold to a company belonging to local aviation enthusiast, Geoffrey Lynch, OBE [29] The article states that the deal to sell the airfield was brokered by Matt Wilkins, the airfield manager, between Morgan Stanley and Lynch. Morgan Stanley had become involved when the portfolio which owned the airfield was purchased by Morgan Stanley from NAMA.[30] The price paid was undisclosed. Wilkins was retained by Lynch following the purchase and continues to manage the airfield. Lynch has stated that he intends for the airfield to continue in use and plans expansions.

Aero Engineering Centre

In March 2014 the airfield announced the opening of a new Engineering Centre [31]. The new centre incorporates a CAA Part M Engineering service by The Light Aircraft Company, Avionics maintenance by Avitronics and Custom Air will offer Aircraft Painting and Interiors [32].

Tenants and non aviation activities

The airfield website states that aircraft engineers, classic car restorers, a race team, aircraft broker and TV company are based at the airfield. There are also areas for TV filming and buildings and land occupied by Battlefront.

The airfield is also the headquarters of Captain Thomas P. Hughston, the FAA Designated Pilot Examiner covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa.[33]

References

  1. ^ a b Old Buckenham - EGSV
  2. ^ Civil Aviation Authority Aerodrome Ordinary Licences
  3. ^ Article Future for Old Buckenham Airfield Looks Bright Eastern Daily Press
  4. ^ Company Record for Touchdown Aero Centre, airfield operator until 2013
  5. ^ Old Buckenham Airshow to Return in 2012 Eastern Daily Press 28 December 2011
  6. ^ Eastern Daily Press Old Buckenham Airfield set for Spectacular 2012 Airshow, 15 June 2012
  7. ^ Eastern Daily Press Old Buckenham Airshow to be extended in 2013, 25 October 2013
  8. ^ Diss Express Daredevil pilot so close to world record at Old Buckenham Airshow, 3 July 2013
  9. ^ Old Buckenham Website Listing for 2014 Airshow
  10. ^ Eastern Daily Press Staggering sights on offer at this year's Old Buckenham Airshow, 25th March 2014
  11. ^ "Mustard TV" News item 25th March 2014 on the Airshow
  12. ^ Old Buckenham Airfield expands hangars "BBC"
  13. ^ http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2217660
  14. ^ http://www.airfieldinformationexchange.org/community/showthread.php?12308-OLD-BUCKENHAM-453rd-Bombardment-Group-Memorial&s=9ade30376013f30b5017489919e6f6af
  15. ^ Eastern Daily Press Work Starte on New Memorial Garden at Norfolk Airfield, 17 October 2012
  16. ^ Old Buckenham Blog, 8 November 2012
  17. ^ [ Old Buckenham Airshow Programmes 2012, 2013 Military Revival Programme 2013]
  18. ^ Battlefront Website
  19. ^ Military Revival Website
  20. ^ Eastern Daily Press Military Revival at Old Buckenham Airfield, 23 May 2013
  21. ^ Military Revival YouTube Video, 4 January 2013
  22. ^ Old Buckenham Airfield Listing for Military Revival 2014
  23. ^ Thetford and Brandon Times, 6 October 2013
  24. ^ Eastern Daily Press Airfield becomes battle zone for military revival event, 6 October 2013
  25. ^ Diss Express Old Buckenham Airfield expands its offerings, 20 October 2013
  26. ^ [Military might is given a new home at airfield, Eastern Daily Press 21 October 2013]
  27. ^ Airfield to celebrate the life of Wing Commander Ken Wallis, Eastern Daily Press 4 September 2013
  28. ^ Eastern Daily Press Thousands turn out to pay tribute to Wing Commander Ken Wallis at Old Buckenham Airfield, 30 September 2013
  29. ^ Eastern Daily Press Old Buckenham Airfield sold to Geoffrey Lynch OBE, 2 July 2013
  30. ^ Bloomberg Morgan Stanley buys UK real estate loans from Ireland's NAMA, 23 March 2012
  31. ^ "New Engineering Centre at Old Buckenham Airfield" Eastern Daily Press 25th March 2014
  32. ^ "Old Buckenham Airfield Web Page for Aero Engineering Centre"
  33. ^ Thomas. P. Hughston's website
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