Enstone Airfield

Enstone Aerodrome[1] is a small unlicensed[2] civilian airfield close to Enstone in Oxfordshire, which is currently used for microlights, light aircraft and motor gliders. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) designator is EGTN, and its contact radio frequency is 129.880.[1][2]

The aerodrome, 4.5 nautical miles east of Chipping Norton, has an asphalt paved main runway: 08/26, which is 1100 metres long, consisting of a tarmac surface over concrete base. There is also a parallel grass strip "south side grass" of 800 metres which can be made available to some aircraft.[1][2][3]

History

The aerodrome was built during the Second World War as a then typical triangular three-runway Royal Air Force Bomber Command airfield.[4]

The aerodrome opened 15 September 1942 as RAF Enstone.[5] It started life as a satellite airfield for RAF Moreton-in-Marsh, and was used by Vickers Wellingtons of No. 21 Operational Training Unit RAF until April 1944. A detachment of North American Harvards and Airspeed Oxfords of No. 17 Flying Training School RAF subsequently arrived at Enstone; these departed during December 1946, and RAF Enstone eventually closed in 1947.[4]

RAF Enstone is mentioned in an intriguing but highly classified and scantly documented project tied to the Manhattan Project, and the atomic bombings of Japan in August 1945 that ended WWII.[6] Military historian Dr Mark Felton describes the arrival of special RAF Avro Lancaster bombers (dubbed 'Black Lancasters' as they carried no identification markings) in 1943 to train in utter secrecy to deliver the American Little Boy uranium-235 and Fat Man plutonium-239 nuclear fission bombs should the special US Silverplate Boeing B-29 Superfortresses not be ready before the bombs were due to be delivered.

The Lancaster's bomb bay could carry a single very large payload, while the B-29 had as large a bomb bay but which was divided by the wing spar. Other teething problems with the B-29 included faulty door opening mechanisms and bomb releases. However, the Lancaster's lower ceiling, slower speed, and shorter range required pioneering development of early air-to-air refuelling techniques. Boeing succeeded in delivering modified B-29s capable of the mission, and the Lancasters were never required.

Current use

It is currently used for general aviation (GA). The hard runway is leased by Oxfordshire Sport Flying Limited who provide flying lessons over Oxfordshire in modern motor gliders. Operational during only daylight hours after 08:00 hours (local), flying activities can only take place in accordance with PPR, or 'prior permission required'.

The Northside Grass Runway is owned and run by Enstone Airlines and is operational dawn to dusk all year round. Enstone Airlines also provide maintenance for aircraft.

Enstone Flying Club is the largest club on the airfield and is currently building a squadron of MK26B Spitfires. Enstone Sales and Services run talks of the project and tours of the facility twice a week spring to autumn. Enstone Flying Club is also currently home to the Jaguar XX764 undergoing restoration.

[2] In addition to aviation activities, the aerodrome is also home to a number of industrial activities, including automotive and general engineering, and accordingly, the site is also known as Enstone Airfield Industrial Estate.[5]

It was used in 2018 as the race track for the 'Celebrity Face Off' segment of the British motoring show The Grand Tour (TV series).

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See also

References
  1. "Oxfordshire Sportflying Club — Operators of Enstone Aerodrome (EGTN) — About us". EnstoneAerodrome.co.uk. Oxfordshire Sportflying Ltd. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  2. "Enstone Airfield technical". UKGA.com. UKGA. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  3. "Enstone Aerodrome (EGTN) — information". EnstoneAerodrome.co.uk. Oxfordshire Sportflying Ltd. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  4. "History of Enstone Aerodrome". EnstoneAerodrome.co.uk. Oxfordshire Sportflying Ltd. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  5. "Enstone". ABCT.org.uk. Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust (ABCT). Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XX9ptCNpik
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