Sywell Aerodrome - a site rich in aeronautical history

Entrepreneurs more than a century ago had the vision, funding and commitment to seize opportunities. . More than a century later Sywell Aerodrome is an enterprise which continues to thrive in heart of the Northamptonshire countryside.

A decision taken in 1927 by Mr Harold Brown to let 55 acres of his land enabled the launch of Northamptonshire Aero Club founded by Jack and Geoffrey Linnell.

The deal by Mr Brown, the present MD’s grandfather, to let the land off Holcot Lane, next to the Belman Gate, started a journey which has put Sywell Aerodrome at the heart of British aviation.

A year later on Saturday, September 29th, 1928 more than 3,000 spectators turned out for the grand opening of the airfield by Air Marshal Sir Sefton Brancker at the First Great Aerial Pageant. The event raised sufficient funds for the club to build a clubhouse and hangar with enough money left over to buy a secondhand Cirrus Moth, G-EBRX.

Six months later in May 1929 the Second Great Aerial Pageant was officially opened by the Club President, the Rt Hon, the Earl Spencer with even more spectators turning out for the show.

For the next few years, the aerodrome was at the heart of this golden age with enthusiasts taking every opportunity for flying and partying. The Great Depression in the early 1930s took its toll on recreational flying and by 1932 the club went into liquidation.

• In response to demand from operators, an application was submitted to construct a hard runway, which resulted in a Public inquiry in May 1965. At the end of the Inquiry the Inspector failed to deliver a conclusion.

At this stage Sywell Aerodrome Ltd was established and quickly became known as Air Port of Northampton and Central Airport of England. There was an expansion of services by letting sites for commercial aviation including air taxis services and engine manufacturers.

Once again Mr Harold Brown agreed to put in extra land that makes up the Aerodrome today and Colonel Shaw from Whilton agreed to fund building works in exchange for shares in the company.

There was no stopping the ambition at Sywell Aerodrome but war was looming and the Government needed to make preparations. This included extension of the Clubhouse to accommodate RAF mess rooms plus a school and instruction block.

The Wellington Hangar on the Holcot Lane was erected in 1939 as an RAF Repair Depot for Wellington Bombers. This also included the two large Hangars by the main Aerodrome entrance and the Bellman Hangar to the South, which was used for the assembly of engines.

In 1942 the top-secret Lancaster Factory was erected adjacent Hall Farm. Nearly 100 Mk 11 Lancaster Bombers with Bristol Hercules engines were built at Sywell between July 1942 and November 1943, this was a third of the total production of the Mk11 fleet.

A wartime contribution which is rightly a proud moment in the history of Sywell Aerodrome.

The team behind the success of Sywell Aerodrome has never rested on its laurels.

The Aerdrome has slowly transformed from a tertiary site into what visitors see today.

The Art Deco style of the Aerodrome has been preserved and developed with a contemporary twist to retain the style of a bygone age of style and design, yet deliver the facilities to meet current demands.

Sywell Aerodrome is now one of the largest employment sites in the borough of Wellingborough which is occupied by hi-tech companies, creating ‘Centres of Excellence’ in sectors like aviation, engineering, software, artwork and design. The all-weather runway is used by corporate business aircraft. The old Sywell Motel has undergone a total renovation with a new name the Aviator Hotel.

Sywell Aerodrome operates the Brooklands Flying School and is also home to 2Excel, the renowned display team flown by former Red Arrow pilots. Evidence that Sywell Aerodrome is still breaking frontiers just as the visionaries did in the 1930s.

info@sywellaerodrome.co.uk www.sywellaerodrome.co.uk

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