Lunch at the airport

[Hagar]

Spring has arrived at last so I arranged to have lunch with a friend to celebrate. We decided on the local airport at Shoreham where we both worked over the years. This is one of my favourite spots on the planet.

The famous art-deco terminal building where my company was based in the 1970s. Built in the 1930s it's the only surviving example in the country. It's been featured in many films & TV period dramas. The modern control tower was added quite recently.


This prop is from a B-26. It was recovered from the Channel & stands as a memorial to the many brave USAAC bomber crews based in the UK during WWII. Shoreham was the home of a SAR Walrus unit that rescued many ditched aircrews.


An unusual visitor. Guess what this pretty little aircraft is. I had to look it up.


One of the residents passed by as we were eating in the sunshine. I might save my pennies for a trip in this one day.




Visiting Shoreham always brings back many fond memories for me. I got my first job in aviation here in 1960. The old flying club building where I worked was located on the very spot the last 2 pics were taken from. There is always something going on & interesting people to chat to. I'll be spending a lot of my time here in the next few months.

[Rifleman]

Hagar, the Lutton Minor is a very popular free flight A/C subject which is much modelled on this side of the waters.....the fin looks a little more angular than the rounded ones which I am used to seeing, so I had to also check into the register to verify my first thoughts...

........beautiful pics.......keep posting  ;)

Friday is my day off here, and it's supposed to be a CAVU so I may spend some time at the airpark and if I get any worthy shots, you'll all see how spring is coming along out here on Vancouver Island  ;D

[Craig.]

great pics Doug:)
Guessing you dont own the lotus??

[Hagar]

Thanks Ken. I look forward to seeing your photos.

great pics Doug:)
Guessing you dont own the lotus??

Thanks also Craig. I wondered if anyone would spot that. Unfortunately it's not mine. Just as well really as I would soon lose my licence in that thing.

[Jaffa]

I was wondering what that Hobbit car was...

[Craig.]

Lotus esprit. The "cheap" lotus, only

[Hagar]

Hagar, is that soley GA aircraft or do you get some commercial flights?

Mainly GA right now. I'm not sure if anyone is currently running a scheduled service. Channel Airways used to run a regular service to the Channel Islands with Doves, Dakotas & the occasional Bristol Freighter back in the 60s. My boss operated a regular service to Dieppe & Jersey with an Islander & 2 Piper Aztecs for a while in the 1970s. It was more of a hobby really & I don't believe it made much profit. Jersey Airlines ran a similar service with a Twin Otter after that packed up but it didn't last long.

There is talk of extending the runway for larger aircraft but I can't imagine how that would be possible. The airport is bounded on 3 sides by the main railway line, the River Adur & the main road. The village of Lancing lies on the other side. I can't imagine them demolishing that.

PS.

Alas spring has truley arrived;)

Alas doen't seem the right choice of word. I've been looking forward to Spring for months. Hooray would be more appropriate.

[Craig.]

in a way its not such a bad thing that they cant, expansion means cost increase for the pilots in some cases. And that could drive away many of these nice planes.

[Hagar]

in a way its not such a bad thing that they cant, expansion means cost increase for the pilots in some cases. And that could drive away many of these nice planes.

I sincerely hope that doesn't happen. It would spoil the atmosphere of the place. Realistically the airport must pay its way & expansion might be the only option.