| |
|
|
HISTORY OF
ENSTONE AERODROME
Enstone Aerodrome was
opened in September 1942 as a satellite airfield for No 21 OTU,
based at Moreton-in-Marsh, and was used by Vickers Wellingtons of
the OTU until April 1944. The airfield eventually closed in
1947 following the departure, in December 1946, of a detachment of
Harvards and Oxfords of 17 FTS.
The Wellingtons were apparently partnered by a secretive unit about
which very little is known. This unit comprised six Avro Lancasters
which, in addition to being painted gloss black all over, had no
squadron markings or serial numbers. They were kept away from the
OTU and, unless flying, out of sight of all other personnel. They
were heavily modified, with their bomb doors removed, and there is
no official record of them being at Enstone. It has been rumoured
that they were being used for experiments in carrying the British
atomic bomb, which was in an advanced stage of development. However,
such was the secrecy surrounding the British development (and its
inevitable overshadowing by the atomic bombs dropped on Japan by the
Americans), that until quite some time later very few people knew of
this country’s involvement in such a programme.
The airfield is now used for much more peaceful pursuits and, as
well as being Oxfordshire Sportflying’s base, is also home to other
clubs and flying schools offering training in light aircraft and
microlights. A number of privately owned aircraft are also based at
Enstone.
The original Watch Tower, which can be seen in the photograph above,
was for many years used as a clubhouse by the Enstone Eagles Gliding
Club, now sadly disbanded.
|
|
