[Riding With The Angels]

1886


WWI

[neil clark]

Geoff,

Got those fantastic pics thanks.

I wonder where the machines actually took off and landed? The provided photos appear to show a landing area next to the Botolphs Bridge road towards West Hythe. The airfield was much much larger than I ever expected.

[Riding With The Angels]

Great pics and comparisons.

It is not the locatin I originally posted as this was to the SW of the town. Would you like me to post a google image as seen?

[Trikeman]

Yes, I was really pleased when I saw this the first time. The original is probably with a member of KHARS - it came from the monthly newsletter, which is on copy paper, so I don't have a quality image. I'll see if I can find out the originator and get back to you.
Geoff

[neil clark]

Trikeman,

Now that is seriously impressive. My father lives close by that former airfield in West Hythe. That old aerial photo is the first I have ever seen of tis airfield. I have tried to copy it from your link but only get a really small image!

I wonder if you might agree to send these images to me by email? I promise to not release them to a third party if thats what you wish.

My email is - clarkneil@hotmail.co.uk

I'd love to use these pics to construct a report on my website?

The old image is more important as it is the first one I have ever seen or heard of.... I'm blown out th
e water by this image. Your modern day image clearly shows where the hangers were located. I never knew this place was so large....

I'm even prepared to pay for em! My father and a few other residents of nearby West Hythe will be pleased to see these images too...

[Trikeman]

Trikeman has indeed got a recent aerial picture; better yet I have a 1917 aerial shot for perspective - it's a scan from a poor quality original but you can see exactly where the airfield was by following the roads. They used the Dymchurch redoubt for accomodation. The airfield is now biscected by the RHD Railway and the whole area has been swallowed up by the gravel pits. There are plans afoot to build houses around the waterside.
There were quite a few WW1 training airfields along the coast, and ELG's for airliners after the war. I doubt there's anything left to see at Palmarsh now - although they likely commandeered some of the buildings that
 were already there.
Any more info / pics welcome. I may have some ground shots in one of my many books about flying in Kent - mostly written by familiar names from Kent Historical Aviation Research Soc [I belong as well - what these guys don't know about flying in Kent probably didn't happen!]
Trikeman

[Riding With The Angels]

Thanks peeps - just stumbled across it in passing - well was looking for the AA position mentioned elsewhere as I had never heard of that either.

[neil clark]

Then of course there was the nearby RFC School of Aerial Gunnery at Dymchurch (Palmarsh). This airfield was run as an extention of the School of Musketry at Hythe. 

I wonder if Trikeman knows about this former airfield? I'd love to see some pics from his microlight?

This is helpful although some of the airfields are a bit out... - http://www.content-delivery.co.uk/aviation/airfields/

Best Wishes to all.
Neil

[Trikeman]

The military used Lydd Camp for balloons as early as 1886. In 1916 an RFC Balloon School was set up. Dering Farm, nearby was used as an airfield for an Artillery Co-op flt to work with guns on the range [ranges still there today]. It was also 3rd Class landing ground for home defence fighters.
In WW2 there was an ALG nearby, used briefly by Typhoons in 1943.
The Lydd airfielf of today has nothing to do with either site. Lots more details in Action Staions 9.
Trikeman

[Riding With The Angels]

Googling the Earth and found a 'blue square' at 50'57"16.44 - 0' 54" 10.06 that appears to be a photo of a small building a few meters SW of the marker labelled 'RFC Balloon School Lydd'

Any ideas?