Roundhay Park Airport

TomD · Post by **TomD** » Mon 23 Apr, 2007 10:30 pm

My grandad told me of an airport on Soldiers Field at Roundhay Park.He said that Sopwith Camels and the like were based there in WW1.I dont know if this is true to the extent that my grandad would have me believe, but it was definatley there - the only info I can find out about it is that it was founded by a chap called Robert Blackburn who was an aviation pioneer. His name adorning many an aircraft, including the awesome Buccaneer - which incidently that same grandad helped design.Does anyone have any photos of this airport as I would really love to see them.

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Mon 23 Apr, 2007 10:54 pm

I know that during the war an aircraft factory (run by Blackburns I think) was set up in Leeds - on the site of what is now the Homebase store on Roundhay Road. This is only a few hundred yards away from Soldiers Field, so perhaps has some relevance?edit: Recently found link to info on the Olympis Works, added here -http://homepage.ntlworld.com/nev.hurwor ... #chameleon

rikj · Post by **rikj** » Tue 24 Apr, 2007 12:33 pm

Yes, there definately was a small airfield there. The Blackburn Aircraft Company had their Olympia Works at what is now Tesco on Roundhay Road.Drapesy is right. The aircraft from the factory were flown off from Soldiers Field. This usage ceased in 1918. The factory shut down as production moved to the East Yorkshire site in Brough. The Olympia Works was re-opened before WWII and continued production until 1946.Before it was Blackburns the site was a skating rink. All the above info shamelessly cribbed from Leodis.There are several pictures of the works on Leodis, though I'm not sure if any show aircraft on Soldiers' Field. There's is a book in the Central Lirary about WWII airfields in Yorkshire and there were a couple of grass landing strips around Leeds. One in Seacroft I think.

Aeldfrith · Post by **Aeldfrith** » Thu 10 May, 2007 11:20 pm

Just a little note about the Seacroft airfield. It was used in WWI and was an emergency landing strip only. It closed in 1918 and there is no trace of it now, housing occupies the site. This info is from the Yorkshire Airfields book.

Festwerfer · Post by **Festwerfer** » Thu 10 May, 2007 11:30 pm

As I understand it during WW2 the works repaired Swordfish aircraft they were towed backwards up to soldiers field and flown off back to various units the Blackburn works was at Shurburn airfield and the Royal Navy historic Flights W5856 City of Leeds makes regular returns to the airfield. This aircraft, a "Blackfish" built by Blackburn Aircraft at Sherburn-in-Elmet, first flew on Trafalgar Day (21 October) 1941. She served with the Mediterranean Fleet for a year and was returned to Fairey's Stockport factory for refurbishment. Used for advanced flying training and trials, the aircraft was sent to Canada where it was again used in a training role and stored in reserve after the war's end. Passing through the hands of at least two civilian operators after disposal, she was purchased by Sir William Roberts and brought to Scotland to join his Strathallan Collection. Bought by British Aerospace for presentation to the Swordfish Heritage Trust, the partly-restored airframe went to BAe Brough for complete restoration to flying condition, the work being completed in 1993.W5856 is painted in the pre-war colours of 810 Squadron embarked in HMS Ark Royal. In September 1996 W5856 was adopted by the City of Leeds and now proudly wears the City's coat of arms and name on her port side just forward of the pilot's cockpit.

rikj · Post by **rikj** » Thu 10 May, 2007 11:45 pm

Wow, great info festwerfer. I knew of some other Leeds military connections but never heard of this one. I wonder if the plane could be persuaded to visit the Yorkshire Airshow at Elvington? I'd go for sure.

Post by **chameleon** » Fri 11 May, 2007 6:11 pm

Came accross this item on the bbc news site today:http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/arti ... .shtmlIt's a story about William Ding who it seems was a test pilot for Blackburns using, as has been said, the Soldiers Field as an air strip and sadly of his unfortunate demise whilst flying.

Festwerfer · Post by **Festwerfer** » Fri 11 May, 2007 11:03 pm

Hi rikj the swordfish has visited the Yorkshire airshow on several occasions in recent years as well as her sister the City of Liverpool this years show date is the 18th & 19th of August for more details contact Ken the show organiser at Air supply 0113 2509581 or visit www.airsupply.co.uk/index.html One piece of news I have heard is that providing she is flying again the Vulcan should be at the show.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Fri 10 May, 2013 3:43 pm

chameleon wrote: Came accross this item on the bbc news site today:http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/arti ... .shtmlIt's a story about William Ding who it seems was a test pilot for Blackburns using, as has been said, the Soldiers Field as an air strip and sadly of his unfortunate demise whilst flying. Never knew that.Where is the crash site? Also it says the propellor memorial (went missing, found on pub wall Vicar Lane) is displayed in Armley Mills Museum.

Johnny39 · Post by **Johnny39** » Fri 10 May, 2013 4:25 pm

Jogon wrote: chameleon wrote: Came accross this item on the bbc news site today:http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/arti ... .shtmlIt's a story about William Ding who it seems was a test pilot for Blackburns using, as has been said, the Soldiers Field as an air strip and sadly of his unfortunate demise whilst flying. Never knew that.Where is the crash site? Also it says the propellor memorial (went missing, found on pub wall Vicar Lane) is displayed in Armley Mills Museum. Hi Jogon, I'm not saying this is for certain but I remember walking down the Mile Ginnel that came out nearly opposite the Wetherby Road entrance to the park and having the field that ran along the right hand side of the ginnel as you walked towards Wetherby Road as being an aeroplane crash site. I was only a kid at the time so I'm not absolutely sure of my facts. It could be a launch-pad, sorry for the pun, for further enquiries.