29 October 2019
Old Sarum Airfield will close to ALL movements from 16:45 on the 31st of October 2019.
That’s the bald statement on the website of Old Sarum Airfield today. Just two days remain to find a way of keeping open one of the UK’s best-loved, oldest and picturesque airfields.
Old Sarum Airfield dates back to 1917 when the site was requisitioned by the War Office for use by the Royal Flying Corps as a base for flying and fighter training.
“During 1917, German prisoners of war and the Chinese Labour Corps constructed three pairs of large aircraft hangars and one large aircraft repair hangar,” says the airfield. “The style built were General Purpose Sheds with Belfast Trusses, as they were quick and easy to assemble.
“Three of these hangars can still be seen at Old Sarum, some of just a few examples in the UK.”
The airfield also played an important role during WWII, and in 1956 the City of Salisbury gave the Freedom of the City to RAF Old Sarum. The military left Old Sarum in 1979.
The leaseholder of the airfield, Matthew Hudson, says losses have forced him to close the airfield after a proposal for a mixed use development, with housing, was turned down by the planning inspector.
Subject to weather, FLYER will be flying into Old Sarum on Thursday, 31 October. You’re welcome to join us in saying goodbye to this wonderful old airfield – at least for now.
30 comments
The future of this wonderful airfield should never be linked with housing developments! General Aviation is being held to ransom by those not slightly interested in the rest of us aviation minded folk. It’s all about one thing, always has been, always will be – Money! (Did I forget to mention “Greed”?) Where are those with the power to stop this seemingly endless madness???
Th he power is in the hands of ordinary people. Galvanise and work together. A contact in the MOD would be extremely useful. Post to mich on FB Save Old Sarum
sad to hear of the closure of Old Sarum. I have many happy memories flying from there in the mid eighties, after moving from Devon. Although I moved to Bournemouth in ’89, I still used to fly in regularly. I am now retired from flying but, still have have an active interest. I hope Salisbury Council will see fit to make a compulsory purchase order.
Yes. Will you wrote to them to ask them. As many as possible to write to them. Without pressure they will not feel a need.
sadly those anti aviation bastards never stop ,,,living museums and learning centers are being remove from public eyes..tyrants and dictators rejoice when those few worth while vocations with avocations are removed from the earth
to those who remove these monuments a curse be upon you for your ignorance and greed
Very sad news. Everyone at Old Sarum is so friendly and welcoming. My thoughts go to all the staff there and wish them luck in the future. I hope something will happen to make a closure unnecessary
Please write to Wiltshire council to start a compulsory purchase. EVERYONE individually write. If there is support they need to know. The council need to justify this action.
Was based at Thruxton fixing helicopters for Heliwork about ’87.
Re-newed my license with Barry Dyke. We flew over to Old Sarum in a 150 or 172. Was the Opticia built there as well. Just done 57 years piloting and downgraded from Commercial to Recreational. Great clubs over there,Sorry to hear re closing. Neil Robertson Invercargill Southland New Zealand
I worked at OS for Edgleys as an airframe fitter, I resurrected a Beagle Pup that was languishing in the corner of the Flight shed, Had the C of A renewed and reastablished it as the company’s club aircraft. Got a bit of free flying checking out some of the management echelon to fly it. I also flew the Optica once before the company collapsed. A mate and me kept an Auster J1N there for a while and also flew a Chipmunk there. Oh yes I almost forgot a friend o mine let me fly his VP2 as well.
As far as the closing of the airfield I am afraid all us aviators are on a hiding to nothing. When you do the sums you will see that the country is desperately short of housing, and the warming of the enviroment will eventually put paid to the Internal Combustion Engine.
The suits with money will want to make more money and very closely built cheap houses is the way to do it. Both Upavon and Netheravon are reasonably safe as they are military property. they are the other two military operating grass airfields and smack bang in the middle of Salisbury Plain which is mainly required and used by the military and I do not see the military wanting to sell off any of that real estate.
The Town of Salisbury gradually encrouched on Old Sarum giving the anti aviators every excuse to find reasons to close Old Sarum down. They have failed so far as planning permission has been refused but do not hold your breath. Meanwhile there are a lot of aircraft owners that need new homes for their aircraft or will have to sell them.
As a Retired Aircraft Licensed Engineer and pilot I have seen lots of airfields closed down for housing and business reasons, air displays cancelled because they are too “dangerous” and exorbitant insurance demands are almost making it impossible to fly in this country anymore.
Sorry guys and gals I am nearly eighty years old and an ex military man and I can honestly say that I have not seen much in this country that lights my fire these days, of course I see the odd good things happening but I can do nothing but worry for the future of my grand children.
AL.
I was in the UK for a few weeks in 2003 for business. We were staying in Salisbury, so I brought my logbook with me just in case I was able to log some UK time. It all worked out; a co-worker rode in the rear seat, and we spent an hour or so seeing the countryside from a great perspective. And, lucky for me, greased a perfect landing on our return to Old Sarum. Very sad to hear it’s closing. Great field, great history.
I took advantage of a break in the weather to join my friends in the LAA Wessex Strut for a ‘final’ trip to Old Sarum in my microlight aircraft. On this occasion I captured the occasion on film; see link below:
https://vimeo.com/370385247
My home base at Henstridge is a great example of what can be achieved at an historic airfield (formerly RNAS Henstridge) where the owners and senior management team have a positive attitude to aviation. Their support for resident and visiting pilots, as well as the local community, is a clear example of what can be achieved – “where there’s a will, there’s a way”. Let’s hope the owner of Old Sarum and the Local Council have “the will” to agree the way forward to keeping this valuable aviation asset open for future generations to enjoy.
As an X-RAF member, I, like so many others very sad that such an historic airfield is being closed for what ever reasons, what ever happened to preservation of historic national aviation assets?? Filton’s another good example!!
My own memories as a very green erk, I was posted to RAF OS direct out of trade training in May 1967, got off bus at The Beehive & walked to the front entrance/guardroom(It was still there up to late last year 2019!). I then spent my next 15 months enjoying working in the communications centre with the combined civilian & military staff, had a wonderful start to my 10 year RAF career as an teleprinter/radio op. It was a combined services station then, JWE, AATDC, RAF station flight(DH Chipmuncks) AAC 132 Flt Army Aircorps(DHC Beavers) plus ATC Gliding Sqn & Bustard Flying club(Based in the old canvas hanger by the main road Bossenau??) they flew DH Tiger Moth(s)
I couldn’t afford to fly with them, so ended up for most weekends gliding at RAFGSA Moonrakers GC at RAF Upavon(HQ Transport Command then). Having had a very enjoyable first 15 months of my working life at OS, I was off on my first overseas posting to RAF Cyprus, ending my time at this lovely old airfield which for a 17 year old at the time was absolute magic.
Should anyone wish to get in touch my email is [email protected]. I was known at that time as Paddy Conway.
Here’s hoping this wonderful old airfield can be Phoenixed back into action for another 100 years!!
In complete contrast to all the comments on this site I am interested in knowing where the Works & Building Dept was situated at R A F, Old Sarum. In 1921 my grandfather was a general labourer working there and whilst it is not of major importance I would be keen to see on a map the location of the building(s).