Halton (Trenchard Museum), Turweston & Bicester – Saturday 17th February 2024 (Grant Robinson)

Hi all,

Spent a rather pleasant Saturday hitting some places that I had not been to for a while. High on my hit-list was the Trenchard Museum at RAF Halton. I first visited RAF Halton for the 1987 Open Day and made return visits in 1988 & 1989, all back in the day when No 1 SoTT was resident with its many Gnats and Jet Provosts. My last proper visit was 15th June 2008 when there was quite a collection of de Havilland aircraft present for what I think was the last public event to be held at RAF Halton?

RAF Halton is to finally close in 2027 and they will again attempt to sell it off after the failed attempt in 1993 and apparently activities on the camp will transfer to RAF Cranwell. Anyhow to get into the Trenchard Museum, you first need to make contact and arrange in advance – https://www.trenchardmuseum.org.uk/

Once a time and date have been agreed, you wait in the car park close to the main gate Guard Room and somebody from the museum comes down to meet you and escort you onto the base. The collection is spread over two buildings.

Before the Trenchard Museum visit, I prearranged access to the airfield – that required a visit to the main gate Guard Room to pick up an airfield pass.

The photographs taken can be seen at;

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums/72177720314919554

Around the airfield:
(VZ568), Gloster Meteor F.8 (nose), United Kingdom (unknown)
WK512/A, de Havilland Canada Chipmunk T.10, G-BXIM, United Kingdom (C1/0548)
WP896, de Havilland Canada Chipmunk T.10, G-BWVY, United Kingdom (C1/0766)
XW303/172, British Aircraft Corporation Jet Provost T.5A , Dumped, Royal Air Force (EEP/JP/967)
XW364/35/MN, British Aircraft Corporation Jet Provost T.5A , Dumped, Royal Air Force (EEP/JP/1014)
G-ATZM, Piper J-3 C-90 Cub (20868)
G-BHGJ, Wassmer Jodel D.120 (336)
G-BLZA, Scheibe SF-25B Falke (4684)
G-BNKI, Cessna 152 (15281765)
G-BYOO, CFM Streak Shadow SA (K.270)
G-CEUN/506, Orlican Discus CS, BGA4694 (075CS)
G-CFPT/574, Schleicher ASW 20, BGA3424 (20007)
G-CJKGR48, Schleicher ASK 18 (18036)
G-CJPX/JPX, Schleicher ASW 15 (15160)
G-CJRX/R41, Schleicher ASK 13 (13375)
G-CJSD/R77, Grob G 102 Astir CS (1133)
G-CKGK/R28, Schleicher ASK 21 (21766)
G-CMNG, Comco Ikarus C42 FB100 Charlie (2203-7683)
G-EDGA, Piper PA-28 161 Warrior II (28-8516024)
G-FOTN, Vans RV-7 (LAA 323-15244)
G-HMCE, Comco Ikarus C42 FB80 Bravo (1103-7143)
G-HMCF, Evektor-Aerotechnik EV-97 Eurostar SL (2014-4204)
G-HMCH, Evektor-Aerotechnik EV-97 Eurostar SL (2016-4239)
G-ICRS, Comco Ikarus C42 FB UK (0202-6458)
G-RVST, Vans RV-6 (22293)
G-SASF, Scheibe SF-25C Falke (44730)
G-SAXT/26, Schempp-Hirth Duo Discus xT, BGA5242 (158/513)
G-UCLU/EDW, Schleicher ASK 21, BGA2612 (21010)
BGA1035/BKS Elliotts of Newbury AP-5 Olympia 2B (EoN/O/144)
BGA2913/ESK, Schleicher Ka 2B Rhonschwalbe (697)
BGA4670, Slingsby T.34 Sky (672)

On display near the Main Gate:
XF527, Hawker Hunter F.6, On Display, Royal Air Force (S4/U/3373)

On display by the Parade Ground:
XZ630, Panavia Tornado GR.1, On Display, Royal Air Force (P12)

Trenchard Museum building:
RA905, Slingsby T.7 Cadet TX.1, Trenchard Museum, BGA1143, United Kingdom (unknown)
(XF522), Hawker Hunter F.6 (nose), Trenchard Museum, United Kingdom (S4/U/3368)
(XR574)/8631M/72, Hawker Siddeley Gnat T.1, Trenchard Museum, United Kingdom (FL564)

James McCudden Flight Heritage Centre:
(WB626)/19, de Havilland Canada Chipmunk T.10PAX, Trenchard Museum, United Kingdom (C1/0068)
WZ772, Slingsby Grasshopper TX.1, Trenchard Museum, United Kingdom (768)
(BAPC.338), Reproduction Halton HAC.1 Mayfly Replica, Trenchard Museum, (unknown)

Next up was Turweston where I have never seen it so quiet, but then the weather forecast wasn’t great and it was getting late in the day. We had the usual friendly welcome up at the Tower where we deposited a few coins in the collection tins and in return, we were allowed to wander freely, including into the hangars if open. If you visit here, please announce yourself and don’t just start wandering – they are friendly here and it would be good to keep it that way.

The photographs taken can be seen at;

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums/72177720314900761

U-95, Bucker Bü 133C Jungmeister, G-BVGP, Swiss (42)
F-GITZ, American-General AG-5B Tiger (10140)
(F-PFUG), Adam RA-14 Loisirs (11)
G-ABDA, de Havilland Gipsy Moth DH.60G (1284)
G-AVDF, Beagle B.121 Pup 100 (B.121-001)
(G-AVJO)/107/15, Personal Plane Services Fokker E III Replica (PPS/FOK/1)
(G-AWBU)/MS824, Reproduction Morane-Saulnier Type N Replica (PPS/REP/7)
G-AWXZ, SNCAN Stampe SV-4 C (360)
G-AXXW, S.A.N. Jodel D.117 (632)
G-BAEM, C.A.B. DR.400 120 Petit Prince (728)
G-BFIV, Reims/Cessna F177RG Cardinal RG (0161)
G-BGOG, Piper PA-28 161 Warrior II (28-7916350)
G-BHDE, SOCATA TB10 Tobago (58)
G-BLWY, Robin R.2160 D AcrobIn (176)
G-BNYZ, SNCAN Stampe SV-4 E (200)
G-BOKX, Piper PA-28 161 Warrior II (28-7816680)
G-BORK, Piper PA-28 161 Warrior II (28-8116095)
G-BPHG, Robin DR.400 180 Regent (1887)
(G-BPOB)/N6377, Reproduction Camel F.1 Replica (TM-10)
(G-BPVE), Reproduction Bleriot XI 1909 Replica (1)
(G-BTBH), Ryan Recruit ST3-KR (2063)
G-BVTM, Reims/Cessna F152 (1827)
G-BXIF, Piper PA-28 181 Archer II (28-7690404)
G-BXOX, Grumman American AA-5A Cheetah (AA5A-0694)
G-BXOZ, Piper PA-28 181 Archer II (28-7790173)
G-BXYM, Piper PA-28 235 Cherokee B (28-10858)
G-BYCA, Piper PA-28 140 Cherokee D (28-7125223)
G-BYHI, Piper PA-28 161 Warrior II (28-8116084)
G-BZUY, Vans RV-6 (PFA 181A-13471)
G-CBEZ, C.A.B. DR.400 180 Regent (2511)
G-CDJL, Jabiru Aircraft Jabiru J400 (PFA 325-14215)
G-CGLT, CZAW Sportcruiser (09SC329)
G-CGXP, Grob G 109B (6261)
G-CIBH, Vans RV-8 A (69846)
G-CIGD, Reims/Cessna F172M (1352)
G-CIIC, Piper PA-18 150 Super Cub (18-5356)
G-CIRI, Cirrus Design SR20 G2 GTS (1791)
G-CLVI, Glasair Sportsman 2+2 GS-2 (7205)
G-CMPH, Piper PA-28 161 Cadet (2841175)
G-EHGF, Piper PA-28 181 Archer II (28-7790188)
G-ELLI, Bell 206B Jet Ranger III (4231)
(G-ELRT)/N6161, Sopwith Pup (unknown)
G-ETLX, Piper PA-28R 200 Cherokee Arrow II (28R-7635119)
G-FIFI, SOCATA TB20 Trinidad (688)
G-GBVN, Robin DR.400 180 Regent (1408)
G-GWOW, Cirrus Design SR22T (9342)
G-HAHU, Yakovlev Yak-18T (12-33)
G-IFLP, Piper PA-34 200T Seneca II (34-8070029)
G-LOGN, Piper PA-28 181 Archer III (2843279)
G-MASF, Piper PA-28 181 Archer II (28-7790191)
G-MCLE, Cirrus Design SR22T (0177)
G-MUNI, Mooney M.20J Model 201 (24-3118)
G-OBBO, Cessna 182S Skylane (18280534)
G-OCAM, Grumman American AA-5A Cheetah (AA5A-0741)
G-OCFD, Bell 206B Jet Ranger III (3165)
G-OHIR, Piper PA-28 161 Warrior II (28-7916289)
G-OPWS, Mooney M.20K Model 231 (25-0663)
G-RATE, Grumman American AA-5A Cheetah (AA5A-0781)
G-RUES, Robin HR.100 210 Safari (185)
G-RVLC, Vans RV-9 A (PFA 320-13780)
G-SRTW, Cirrus Design SR22 GTS (3828)
G-SRWN, Piper PA-28 161 Warrior II (28-8116284)
G-TOPP, Vans RV-10 (41575)
G-WYLD, Cessna T210N Turbo Centurion (21064341)
G-ZERO, Grumman American AA-5B Tiger (AA5B-0051)
G-ZZAC, Evektor-Aerotechnik EV-97 Eurostar (PFA 315-14642)
N214CL, Cirrus Design SR22 GTS (3830)
N2366D, Cessna 170B (20518)
N44NE, Cessna 414 (414-0070)
N834CD, Cirrus Design SR22 (0168)
N85LB, Cessna 340A (340A0486)

Last stop of the day was Bicester. The general aviation community here has been given notice to leave by the end of June I believe and so this might be my last visit for the foreseeable future. I quote – https://flyer.co.uk/bicester-aerodrome-tells-pilots-to-remove-aircraft-by-summer/

“Bicester Motion, the company behind the classic car centre at Bicester Aerodrome, has asked all pilots with aircraft based in the 98-year-old listed hangar to move out by 30 June 2024.”

The targets were Tiger Moth DE971 and the Waco N45BN and with both in the bag, I left here very happy. If you are going to visit here, do it quickly…….

The photographs taken can be seen at;

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums/72177720314899650

R5172/FIJE, de Havilland Tiger Moth, G-AOIS, United Kingdom (83034)
DE971, de Havilland Tiger Moth, G-OOSY, United Kingdom (85831)
WB726/E, de Havilland Canada Chipmunk 22A, G-AOSK, United Kingdom (C1/0178)
43-29405/23-A, Piper J-3C-65 Cub, G-BCOB, United States (10696)
G-ADRA, Pietenpol Aircamper (PFA 1514)
G-AHAN, de Havilland Tiger Moth DH.82A (86553)
G-APNT, Phoenix Currie Wot (HAC/3)
G-ASPS, Piper J-3 C-65 Cub Special (22809)
G-AVTC, Slingsby Nipper T.66 RA45 Srs.3 (1583)
G-BGMR, Gardan Minicab JB-01 (PFA 056-10153)
G-BRJC, Cessna 120 (12077A)
G-BRPH, Cessna 120 (12137)
G-CIDD, Bellanca Citabria 7ECA (1002-74)
G-FELL, Europa Aviation Europa XS (PFA 247-13208)
G-IIIL, Amateur Built Pitts Special S-1T (008)
G-JIIL, Amateur Built Pitts Special S-2A (20935)
G-KBOJ, RotorSport UK MTO Sport (RSUK/MTOS/016)
G-KIAB, Scheibe SF-25C Falke 2000 (44439)
G-KIAU, Scheibe SF-25C Falke 2000 (44461)
G-KLUB, Scheibe SF-25C Rotax Falke (44543)
G-KTOW, Comco Ikarus C42 FB100 Bravo (1311-7287)
G-LAPL, Scheibe SF-25C Rotax Falke (44550)
G-MAIN, Mainair Sports Mainair Blade 912 (1202-0699-7-W1005)
G-PACE, Robin R.1180 T Aiglon (218)
G-PATS, Europa Aviation Europa (216)
G-SATN, Piper PA-25 260 Pawnee C (25-5179)
G-SHCK, Comco Ikarus C42 FB 80 (1510-7426)
G-SJPC, Vans RV-8 (86333)
N45BN, Waco Classic Aircraft Waco F YMF-5C (F5C-8-130)