Old Buckenham Airfield

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

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
Coordinates52°29′51″N 001°03′07″E
Websitewww.oldbuck.com
Map
EGSV
Location in Norfolk
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
07/25 639 2,096 Asphalt
07L/25R 407 1,335 Grass
02/20 428 1,404 Grass
Sources: NATS[1]

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]

History

The airfield was under Air Ministry control as a satellite for maintenance units until it was closed on 20 June 1960. After a period of uncertainty about the airfield's future, it was announced on 23 August 2011 by the Eastern Daily Press that the airfield was under new management.[3] In previous years the then operating company had 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.

It was announced on 2 July 2013 that the airfield had been sold to a company belonging to local aviation enthusiast, Geoffrey Lynch,[5] by Morgan Stanley for an undisclosed price. Morgan Stanley had become the owners when they purchased the portfolio of loans which owned the airfield from the Irish National Asset Management Agency.[6] 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.

Three new hangars and additional office space were built in 2013/14.[7] Two new Nissen huts, housing a Museum and Facilities Block, were built in 2015.[8] A two storey office building followed in 2017 [9]

Old Buckenham Airshow

In December 2011 it was announced that the Old Buckenham Airshow would return in 2012.[10] 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.[11]

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, it was announced that the 2013 Airshow would be a two-day event.[12] 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 and he came within inches of achieving his goal on the 5th attempt.[13] On landing, it was agreed that the record would be attempted again in 2014.

The 2014 Airshow took place on 26 and 27 July 2014.[14][15] The Airshow was the lead item on the second bulletin of Mustard TV, a recently launched terrestrial TV channel for the greater Norwich area.[16] The 2014 show was declared a success and described as the "Biggest yet" [17]

The 2015 Airshow was announced in the press on 17 September 2014.[18] The Airshow featured the reunion of Honor Blackman who played Pussy Galore in the James Bond film Goldfinger (film) with the Hiller Aircraft UH12 Helicopter G-ASAZ which she starred with in the movie.

The 2016 and 2017 Airshow were reported as being a success and featured Sally B.[19][20]

Tourism Award

The Old Buckenham Airshow was named the EDPHoseasons "Family Event of the Year" in 2016.[21]

War memorial

The memorial consists of a large stone of black granite, carved into the form of a tailplane from the Consolidated B-24 Liberators which were based at the airfield and was installed on 29 July 1990.[22]

In October 2012 work started to relocate the memorial stone commemorating the 366 USAAF personnel who died serving from RAF Old Buckenham.[23][24] The new garden was officially opened by Pat Ramm who officiated at the Remembrance Sunday service attended by over 400 people.

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 by the airfield[25] as being the main focal point of the airfield. The airfield management have said that they are fostering links with Memorial Groups in the United States.

453rd Bomb Group Museum

In February 2015, it was announced that the airfield has applied for permission to erect a museum at the site. The plans are for the erection of two Nissen Huts, one of which will house items described as having the potential to be the largest collection of 453rd Bomb Group memorabilia in existence.[26]

The 453rd Bombardment Group Museum opened on Remembrance Sunday 2015.[27]

An additional Museum, said to complement the 453rd Museum, was opened on Remembrance Sunday 2017 by United States Navy Captain (United States O-6) Poston, whose Great Uncle served in the 453rd Bombardment Group at RAF Old Buckenham. The new museum covers the wider subject of the Eighth Air Force of which the 453rd were a part.[28]

Military & Vintage 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.[29] In October 2012 it was announced that the airfield and museum would collaborate on a new show called Military Revival[30] Promotional videos were released, showing a Citroen Van being destroyed by a FV180 Combat Engineer Tractor[31] and a lawn mower being flattened by an unexploded World War II German bomb.[32]

The first Military Revival took place on 5 and 6 October[33] it was announced that the show would be run again in 2014.[34][35] Following Military Revival, it was announced that several of the main exhibits would be placed on permanent public display at the airfield by Battlefront.[36][37] Machines on display include a Russian T-55 tank which was used in the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye, a Multiple Launch Rocket System and a MGM-52 Lance nuclear missile.

The 2014 Military Revival event was deemed a success, and it was confirmed that the show would run again in 2015, with a joint military and vintage theme.[38]

In January 2015, the airfield confirmed the inclusion of a Vintage theme by announcing a new name for the show, including a new website.[39]

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.[40] Wallis had been a regular visitor to the airfield for thirty years, last attending during the 2013 Airshow and 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 designed and built.

The airfield's Blister Hangar was cleared and Little Nellie was put on display on a stage in the centre. The rear wall of the hangar featured a 40-foot 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 but actual attendance was estimated as 3-4,000.[41]

Aero Engineering Centre

In March 2014 the airfield announced the opening of a new Engineering Centre.[42] The new centre incorporates a CAA Part M Engineering service by The Light Aircraft Company, avionics maintenance by Avitronics, and aircraft painting and interiors by Custom Air.[43]

Tenants and non-aviation activities

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 operates a fleet of specially modified Honda Gyro Canopy scooters.[44]

The Airfield is also home to a Flight Simulator Centre [45]

Accidents and Incidents
  • 14 July 1991 – Piper PA-23 G-BCBM landed with its undercarriage retracted and was damaged beyond economic repair.[46]
  • 1 August 2004 – Stearman biplane, G-BAVO, known as "Two-Six" belonging to TV star Martin Shaw crashed on take off.[47] Shaw who was not at the controls bought the salvage and rebuilt the aircraft as documented by the TV series Martin Shaw: Aviators.
  • 29 April 2006 – David Crowcroft, suffering from an obsessive condition, committed suicide by cutting his parachute cords during a training jump.[48]
  • 25 March 2007 – Whilst conducting parachute dropping, Piper PA-32 G-BAXJ suffered an engine failure and landed short of the airfield.[49] There were no reported injuries.
  • 9 May 2010 – Mooney M20 G-JDIX crashed while making an approach to the airfield; the pilot was killed.[50]
  • 22 April 2015 – Edge 360 G-EDGJ a fatal accident occurred as the aircraft was being flown as part of an Aerobatic display. David Jenkins, a skilled and respected pilot, lost his life.
  • 11 June 2016 – Piper Pa-24 Comanche, G-ARLB suffered damage after a heavy landing. There were no reported injuries.[51]
  • 11 June 2017 - Luscombe 8E Silvaire Deluxe, G-BRGF crashed on landing after its landing gear made contact with a rapeseed crop close to the end of the runway. There were no reported injuries.[52]
  • 19 July 2018 - Auster 6A Tugmaster, G-APRO Stalled and impacted with the ground on landing.[53]
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References
  1. "EGSV – Old Buckenham" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority. 6 March 2014.
  2. "Civil Aviation Authority Aerodrome Ordinary Licences" (PDF). CAA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 June 2007.
  3. Brooks, Stephanie (23 August 2011). "Future for Old Buckenham Airfield Looks Bright". Eastern Daily Press.
  4. "Touchdown Aero Centre Limited". Companies in the UK.
  5. Wright, Lucy (2 July 2013). "Old Buckenham Airfield sold to Geoffrey Lynch OBE". Eastern Daily Press.
  6. Packard, Simon (23 March 2012). "Morgan Stanley buys UK real estate loans from Ireland's NAMA". Bloomberg.
  7. "Old Buckenham Airfield Expands Hangars". BBC. 7 January 2014.
  8. "Breckland Council Planning Permission". 27 March 2015.
  9. "Breckland Council Planning Permission". 9 December 2016.
  10. Gretton, Adam (28 December 2011). "Old Buckenham Airshow to Return in 2012". Eastern Daily Press.
  11. Gretton, Adam (15 June 2012). "Old Buckenham Airfield set for Spectacular 2012 Airshow". Eastern Daily Press.
  12. Gretton, Adam (25 October 2013). "Old Buckenham Airshow to be extended in 2013". Eastern Daily Press.
  13. "Daredevil pilot so close to world record at Old Buckenham Airshow". Diss Express. 3 July 2013.
  14. "Listing for 2014 Airshow". Old Buckenham. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013.
  15. Knights, Emma (25 March 2014). "Staggering sights on offer at this year's Old Buckenham Airshow". Eastern Daily Press. Archived from the original on 27 March 2014.
  16. "Flying high: Organisers set for 2014 Old Buckenham Airshow". Mustard TV. 25 March 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  17. Bareham, Dominic (28 July 2014). "Organisers believe attendance at Old Buckenham Airshow 'the biggest yet'". Eastern Daily Press.
  18. Cope, Lauren (17 September 2014). "Old Buckenham Airshow to return in 2015 – with a focus on all things American". Eastern Daily Press.
  19. "Records to Tumble at Old Buckenham Airshow". Diss Mercury. 29 July 2016.
  20. Johnson, Paul (1 August 2017). "Old Buckenham Airshow 2017 Review". Airshows.org.uk.
  21. "EDP Tourism Awards Winners Revealed at Ceremony Celebrating the Best in the Business". EDP. 25 November 2016.
  22. Simak, Evelyn. "Geograph: Old Buckenham Airfield – Memorial". Geograph.org.uk. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  23. Gretton, Adam (17 October 2012). "Work Started on New Memorial Garden at Norfolk Airfield". Eastern Daily Press.
  24. "Remembrance services in Old Buckenham". Old Buckenham blog. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  25. Old Buckenham Airshow Programmes 2012, 2013. Military Revival Programme 2013.
  26. Cope, Lauren. "Old Buckenham Airfield submits plans to house collection of 453rd Bomb Group memorabilia". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  27. "New Museum to Bomber Crews Set To Open at Old Buckenham Airfield". Diss Mercury. 7 November 2015.
  28. "New Museum Old Buckenham Airfield". Diss Mercury. 8 November 2017.
  29. "Battlefront, The East England Military Museum". militarymuseumweb.org.uk. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  30. "Military Revival". militaryrevival.com. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  31. Military Revival (4 January 2013). "Military Revival – Norfolk's Military Spectacular. 4th–6th October 2013". YouTube. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  32. Meddings, Sabah (23 May 2013). "Military Revival at Old Buckenham Airfield". Eastern Daily Press.
  33. Fitchett, Andrew (6 October 2013). "Airfield becomes battle zone for military revival event". Eastern Daily Press.
  34. "Listing for Military Revival 2014". Old Buckenham Airfield. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013.
  35. "Old Buckenham Military Revival". Thetford and Brandon Times. 6 October 2013.
  36. "Old Buckenham Airfield expands its offerings". Diss Express. 20 October 2013. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  37. "Military might is given a new home at airfield". Eastern Daily Press. 21 October 2013.
  38. Cope, Lauren (6 October 2014). "History Buffs descend on Old Buckenham Airfield for Military Revival – with parties, a nuclear missile and SAS legend on the bill". Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury.
  39. "Old Buckenham Airfield unveils new look for show". Diss Express. 8 January 2015.
  40. McMahon, Rosa (4 September 2013). "Airfield to celebrate the life of Wing Commander Ken Wallis". Eastern Daily Press. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013.
  41. Bareham, Dominic (30 September 2013). "Thousands turn out to pay tribute to Wing Commander Ken Wallis at Old Buckenham Airfield". Eastern Daily Press. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013.
  42. Papworth, Andrew (25 March 2014). "New Engineering Centre at Old Buckenham Airfield". Daily Press.
  43. Alderton, Luke. "Old Buckenham Aero Engineering Centre". Old Buckenham. Archived from the original on 24 November 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  44. Malone, Jo (25 July 2018). "Meet the unsung heroes of a Norfolk airshow". Eastern Daily Press.
  45. "Flying without Wings on the Sim Fly Flight Simulator at Old Buckenham Airshow". Diss Mercury. 29 July 2017.
  46. "Piper PA-23-250 Aztec, G-BCBM, 14 July 1991". Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  47. "Boeing A75N1 Stearman: G-BAVO, 1 August 2004". Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  48. Bennetto, Jason (5 May 2006). "Obsessive condition drove parachutist to cut his own cords". The Independent. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  49. "Piper PA-32-300, G-BAXJ, 25 March 2007". Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  50. "Mooney M20B, G-JDIX, 9 May 2010". Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  51. "Piper PA-24-250 Comanche, G-ARLB". Air Accidents Investigation Branch. 9 January 2015.
  52. https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/aaib-investigation-to-luscombe-8e-silvaire-deluxe-g-brgf
  53. https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/aaib-investigation-to-auster-6a-tugmaster-g-apro
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