Elmdon Boy
master brummie
Yet another two interesting photos you've got oldMohawk. Where are you finding them.
Hockley Heath was used during the war for training glider pilots using Miles Master tug aircraft, and Hotspur assault gliders. It opened in 1941. It was initially used as a relief landing ground for No 2 Central flying school who's base was Church Lawford near Coventry using Airspeed Oxfords and Avro Tutors. North American Harvard's used it in mid 1945.
It was abandoned as an airfield in 1948.
I believe at one time it was considered for the site of Birminghams airport before they chose Elmdon.
The site is on the A3400 going out of Shirley, over the M42, onwards towards Stratford on Avon, past Box trees craft farm, around the roundabout by the petrol station, continue on A3400 and the fields on your immediate right are the site. As you will see, very flat.
That photo of Elmdon must be the earliest I've ever seen. Hanger 2 has not been built and hardly any other buildings.
Up on the A45 it appears the Airport Hotel is being constructed. Now the Holiday Inn.
Looks like two Tiger Moths plus three Miles Magisters in front of Hanger 1, now demolished.
Note building in top right corner, this is the Elmdon rectory which was later converted to flats.
I remember helping my mate out on his paper round delivering papers to here in about 1962 from Kings newsagent on the Tigers Island parade of shops by Rangoon Road.
Hockley Heath was used during the war for training glider pilots using Miles Master tug aircraft, and Hotspur assault gliders. It opened in 1941. It was initially used as a relief landing ground for No 2 Central flying school who's base was Church Lawford near Coventry using Airspeed Oxfords and Avro Tutors. North American Harvard's used it in mid 1945.
It was abandoned as an airfield in 1948.
I believe at one time it was considered for the site of Birminghams airport before they chose Elmdon.
The site is on the A3400 going out of Shirley, over the M42, onwards towards Stratford on Avon, past Box trees craft farm, around the roundabout by the petrol station, continue on A3400 and the fields on your immediate right are the site. As you will see, very flat.
That photo of Elmdon must be the earliest I've ever seen. Hanger 2 has not been built and hardly any other buildings.
Up on the A45 it appears the Airport Hotel is being constructed. Now the Holiday Inn.
Looks like two Tiger Moths plus three Miles Magisters in front of Hanger 1, now demolished.
Note building in top right corner, this is the Elmdon rectory which was later converted to flats.
I remember helping my mate out on his paper round delivering papers to here in about 1962 from Kings newsagent on the Tigers Island parade of shops by Rangoon Road.