Alexandra Park Aerodrome

Alexandra Park Aerodrome was the second purpose-built 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, Withington and West Didsbury, at the junction of Princess Road and Mauldeth Road, three miles south of Manchester's 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. A new commemorative plaque was unveiled on 7 July 2007 to mark the 90th anniversary of the airfield. It is located in the grounds of No.184 (South Manchester) Squadron, Air Cadets, in Hough End Crescent.

Operational history

Following the closure of the 1911-built Trafford Park Aerodrome (Manchester), 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 in the Manchester area 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 railway station on the Great Central Railway branch line 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, The Daimler Airway operated daily scheduled flights to Croydon Airport London, later followed by a regular extension to Schiphol Airport Amsterdam.

Aircraft competing in the King's Cup Race 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, the 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.

Current status

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 ancillary 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.

Bibliography

* "Moving Manchester". Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 2004. Pages 210-229 on 'Manchester's Early Airfields' include historical details of Alexandra Park by R.A.Scholefield. ISSN 0950-4699.