Elstree Aerodrome

Image: © Nigel Cox Taken: 10 Dec 2005

Until 1933, Aldenham House (now Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School) in Image was the residence of the Gibbs family. The estate was then turned into a country club, which included a polo ground. At the time, large numbers of the polo players had their own aircraft. The present aerodrome started as a grass field to cater for their needs, together with a small hangar. During the Second World War, the concrete runway was laid, together with the present hangars, and the aerodrome was used for modifying Wellington bombers. Today it is a busy general aviation airfield, including flight training and pleasure trips. Over 100 aircraft are based at the approximate 30 hectare site, and the single runway is about 650 metres long. This photo was taken at the western end of that runway. Curiously the OS mapping shows 2 public rights of way across the runway in two different locations. The registration of this aircraft was G-KCIN, and the pilot was practising landing and take-off manoeuvres. No doubt someone will be able to identify what type of aircraft it was...! 27 March 2007: A fellow Geographer informs me that the aircraft was a Piper PA-28-161 Warrior, and that it was re-registered from G-CDOX about a month previous to my photograph.

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