Alexandra Park Aerodrome
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[edit] Airfield History
Alexandra Park Aerodrome was the second aerodrome in the Manchester area. The site was chosen by the War Department in 1917 because of its open agricultural nature, and lay between the neighbouring districts of Fallowfield, Chorlton and West Didsbury, at the junction of Princess Road and Mauldeth Road, three miles south of the City Centre. The aerodrome's existence is commemorated on a plaque in the sports pavilion at Hough End Playing Fields, which now occupy part of the old airfield's site.
Following the closure of the airfield at Trafford Park, Alexandra Park Aerodrome was constructed and opened in May 1918 by the War Department for the assembly, test flying and delivery of aircraft for the RAF built locally by A.V.Roe & Company (Avro) at Newton Heath and the National Aircraft Factory No.2 (NAF No.2) at Heaton Chapel. The airfield took its name from the nearby Alexandra Park station on the Great Central Railway branch to Manchester (Central) railway station. Many aircraft were brought in major sections by rail from Avro and NAF No.2 to the nearby station; other aircraft came by road.
On 1 May 1919, the first day of civil flying after World War I, Lt Col Sholto Douglas landed an 0/400 converted bomber of Handley Page Transport carrying ten passengers from Cricklewood, London.
The Avro Transport Company operated the UK's first sustained domestic air service to Birkdale Sands (Southport) and South Shore (Blackpool) from Alexandra Park Aerodrome between 24 May and 30 September 1919, mainly using Avro 504 biplanes.
From 1922 until 1924, there were daily scheduled flights to Croydon Airport London, later followed by a regular extension to Amsterdam.
Aircraft competing in the King's Cup air races stopped by in 1922 and 1923. There were also a number of flying displays held here.
The Lancashire Aero Club (the oldest flying club in Britain) was founded here in 1924.
However, hangars were demolished and the aerodrome was closed on 24 August 1924, following the refusal by Lord Egerton of Tatton for the land to continue in use for aviation. Princess Road was built through the eastern part of the airfield and a housing estate erected on the eastern edge of the airfield site.
[edit] Current status
As mentioned earlier, the remaining area of open land to the west of Princess Road is now Hough End Playing Fields, a council-owned facility with 24 full-size pitches and 3 rugby pitches. These pitches occupy land that was part of the grass airfield. The aerodrome hangars and ancilliary buildings were erected on the site of today's GMP Sports and Social Club at Hough End. This is also where Greater Manchester Police train their dogs and horses.
[edit] Bibliography
- Moving Manchester. Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 2004. Pages 210-229 include historical details of Alexandra Park by R.A.Scholefield. ISSN 0950-4699.
