Dunsfold Aerodrome
Encyclopedia
Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey
, England, near the village of Cranleigh
, was built by the Canadian Army and civilian contractors as a Class A Bomber Airfield for Army Co-operation Command
. It was commanded by the Royal Canadian Air Force
from 1942-1944 and was known as Royal Canadian Air Force Station Dunsfold.
, 414
and 430
Squadrons, RCAF, equipped with P-40 Tomahawks
and P-51 Mustang
s. They were followed by the North American B-25 Mitchell
Mk II medium bomber
s of 139 Wing, RAF, consisting of 98 and 180
Squadrons RAF, and 320 Squadron
, formed by Dutch Naval Aviation Service personnel. When 139 Wing departed for the continent in the autumn of 1944, 83 Group Support Unit (later 83 Group Disbandment Centre) arrived with Spitfires
, Typhoons
and Tempests
. After the war the airfield was used by the RAF to repatriate prisoners of war.
Dunsfold was declared inactive by the RAF in 1946 but was then used by Skyways Ltd, with York
, Lancastrian
, Skymaster
, Rapide
and Dove
aircraft. Skyways's operations included support of the Berlin Airlift. Skyways also refurbished ex-RAF Spitfires and Hurricanes
for the Portuguese Air Force
.
Company acquired the lease of the site. Dunsfold became internationally known for development of the Hunter
jet fighter, limited numbers of Sea Hawks
were also produced and Sea Furies
were refurbished. Airwork Ltd leased two hangars from 1953-58 for the refurbishment of F-86 Sabre
s and Supermarine Attacker
s.
In October 1960 the then Hawker Siddeley flight tested its Hawker P.1127
prototype, the development aircraft that led to the Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the first VTOL
jet fighter bomber. Folland Gnat
test flying and production moved to Dunsfold from Chilbolton, Hants, in 1961. Final assembly of the Harrier and the Hawk trainer aircraft was at Dunsfold.
in 1977. On 2 July 1986 British Aerospace's deputy chief test pilot Jim Hawkins was killed at Dunsfold when his developmental Hawk 200 crashed. On 24 June 1999 British Aerospace announced the closure of Dunsfold as part of a restructuring; Hawk final assembly had been transferred to Warton
in 1988, the Sea Harrier production finished in 1998 and the Harrier 2+ production was moved to Brough in 2000. The gate-guardian aircraft - Hawker P.1127 XP984 - was moved to Brooklands Museum on long term loan.
(British Aerospace's successor) sold Dunsfold Aerodrome to The Rutland Group who formed Dunsfold Park Ltd. Today the BBC
motoring show Top Gear
is recorded at the park using a former hangar as a studio and parts of the runways and taxiways of the aerodrome as a test track
.
The Young Drivers Track
Some of the track (The Young Drivers Track) is now used by many driving schools and instructors to enable under seventeen year olds to learn to drive. Hundreds of youngsters have now had their first driving experience at the Top Gear location before going out on to the road.
Since June 2007 Dunsfold Park has been home of the Surrey Air Ambulance Service
. Dunsfold Park is also home to Wings and Wheels, an annual air and motor show that is typically held in late August. The airshow attracted over 25,000 visitors and raised over £80,000 for charities including Help for Heroes and the Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance in 2009. Increasing popularity has meant the event is now a two-day show.
Dunsfold Park Ltd also organise a Drive-In Cinema, Dunsfold Drive-In http://www.dunsfolddrivein.com, over the Easter bank holiday as well as a popular and classical concert, Strings & Wings http://www.stringsandwings.com, on the first weekend in June, and the annual "Dad's Day Out" motoring event, held in aid of The Children's Trust, Tadworth
.
between Guildford
and Horsham
) with the permission of Alfold Parish Council. Dunsfold Parish Council declined to host the memorial.
The memorial and its unveiling on 20 July 1992, exactly 50 years to the day after the first aircraft (an RCAF Tiger Moth
) landed at Dunsfold, was organised by the Dunsfold Society of Mssrs Alan Barrett, Paul McCue
, Gareth Morgan, Peter Robinson and Brian Spencer. A Tiger Moth and Lockheed P-3 Orion
(of present-day 320 Sqn RDNAS) performed fly-pasts.
until 2002 as City of Birmingham, G-BDXJ
, was purchased by Aces High Limited, a company specialising in supplying aircraft for television and film work, and transferred to Dunsfold.
It was modified and used for filming for the 2006 James Bond
film Casino Royale
. Some of the scenes set at Miami International Airport
were filmed at Dunsfold.
Modifications to the aircraft include the removal of the normal Rolls Royce
engines in separate nacelle
s and replacement with a single nacelle on each wing with two engines, similar to those fitted to aircraft such as the B-52 Stratofortress
. Dummy drop tanks have been fitted where the outer engines would normally be fitted. The aircraft is not flyable at the present moment.
The aircraft has also appeared in the background of numerous Science in Action and Top Gear
episodes and directly in an episode where it is towed by a JCB Fastrac
tractor.
It was also towed by a Volkswagen Touareg
in a 2006 Fifth Gear
episode, the same year that the modified aircraft and Dunsfold Airfield were featured in a television advertisement filmed for the Volkswagen Touareg, demonstrating the vehicle's towing ability.
In 2008 it featured in an episode of Scrapheap Challenge
in which contestants created machines to tow the aircraft.
In 2009 for major parts of Episode 4 of ITV Series Primeval
featuring a Giganotosaurus
, Dunsfold Airfield was used as the location for an unspecified London Airport.
On 10 April 2011 it was the hosting spot for the first time for Cobham Bus Museum's yearly event.
Although the owners say they still hope to persuade the authorities that eco-settlement remains the best long term future for the site they are now concentrating on expanding and promoting the underlying aviation potential of the aerodrome which is still in operational use.
In April 2011, Dunsfold Park claimed that a 60 year old planning consent allows the entirely unrestricted use of the aerodrome. The claim led to objections from parties such as all the local Parish Councils and bodies such as the Council to Protect Rural England and concern was been expressed by local Members of Parliament.
Interested parties claimed that by suggesting freedom from restriction on "noise, air quality other emissions and environmental effects", Dunsfold Park has shown inconsistency with its eco-friendly approach as well as a disregard for the local community.
In June 2011, Waverley District Council refused Dunsfold Park's application for a certificate of lawful use as an aerodrome, effectively reminding all parties that the site is industrial with aviation facilities. Dunsfold Park Ltd are hence left in a situation where their planned expansion into further aviation is stymied and, while at the time of writing they still have the opportunity to appeal, a study of the refusal suggests Waverley have reached a sustainable conclusion.
In late 2007, Dunsfold Park Ltd. applied to have their plans for the new town selected as one of Gordon Brown's proposed "eco-towns". On 3 April 2008 Dunsfold Park was denied Eco-town status by the Housing Minister Caroline Flint. According to the Government's press release Dunsfold Park was rejected "for being undeliverable or not ambitious enough to meet the high environmental and affordability standards set by Government."
Details of the application can be found here: http://waverweb.waverley.gov.uk/live/wbc/pwl.nsf/(RefNoLU)/WA20110520?OpenDocument
Dunsfold Park Ltd set of financial accounts (source: Companies House) are as follows:
DIRECTORS’ REPORT
The directors have pleasure in presenting their report and the audited financial statements for the year to 31 December 2009.
The company retained a loss for the year of £706,223 (2008 – Loss £1,256,749)
Shareholders’ deficit as at 31/12/09 was (£1,003,482)
Shareholders’ deficit as at 31/12/08 was (£297,259)
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, England, near the village of Cranleigh
Cranleigh
Cranleigh is a large village, self-proclaimed the largest in England, and is situated 8 miles south east of Godalming in Surrey. It lies to the east of the A281 which links Guildford with Horsham; neighbouring villages include: Ewhurst, Alfold and Hascombe....
, was built by the Canadian Army and civilian contractors as a Class A Bomber Airfield for Army Co-operation Command
RAF Army Cooperation Command
RAF Army Cooperation Command was a short-lived major command of the Royal Air Force during World War II, comprising the army cooperation units of the RAF.The command was formed on 1 December 1940 when No...
. It was commanded by the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
from 1942-1944 and was known as Royal Canadian Air Force Station Dunsfold.
Second World War
The first squadrons based at the aerodrome were 400No. 400 Squadron RCAF
400 "City of Toronto" Tactical Helicopter and Training Squadron is part of 1 Wing, and as such a lodger unit of Canadian Forces Base Borden. The squadron operates the CH-146 Griffon.-History:...
, 414
No. 414 Squadron RCAF
No. 414 Squadron RCAF was a squadron associated with the Royal Canadian Air Force and later with Canadian Forces Air Command.-History:On 13 August 1941, No 414 Army Co-operation Squadron was formed at RAF Croydon, England, flying Lysander and Curtis Tomahawk aircraft. On 28 June 1943 the...
and 430
No. 430 Squadron RCAF
430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron is a unit of the Canadian Forces under Royal Canadian Air Force. It operates Bell CH-146 Griffons from CFB Valcartier, near Quebec City in Quebec, Canada.-History:...
Squadrons, RCAF, equipped with P-40 Tomahawks
Curtiss P-40
The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft that first flew in 1938. The P-40 design was a modification of the previous Curtiss P-36 Hawk which reduced development time and enabled a rapid entry into production and operational...
and P-51 Mustang
P-51 Mustang
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
s. They were followed by the North American B-25 Mitchell
B-25 Mitchell
The North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades.The B-25 was named...
Mk II medium bomber
Medium bomber
A medium bomber is a bomber aircraft designed to operate with medium bombloads over medium distances; the name serves to distinguish them from the larger heavy bombers and smaller light bombers...
s of 139 Wing, RAF, consisting of 98 and 180
No. 180 Squadron RAF
No. 180 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron that was a medium bomber unit in World War II.-Formation in World War II:The Squadron was equipped with Mitchells at RAF West Raynham. It then flew its first raid from RAF Foulsham and suffered heavy losses including the aircraft of the squadron...
Squadrons RAF, and 320 Squadron
No. 320 Squadron RAF
No. 320 Squadron RAF was a unit of the Royal Air Force during World War II formed from the personnel of the Royal Netherlands Naval Air Service.-Formation:...
, formed by Dutch Naval Aviation Service personnel. When 139 Wing departed for the continent in the autumn of 1944, 83 Group Support Unit (later 83 Group Disbandment Centre) arrived with Spitfires
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
, Typhoons
Hawker Typhoon
The Hawker Typhoon was a British single-seat fighter-bomber, produced by Hawker Aircraft. While the Typhoon was designed to be a medium-high altitude interceptor, and a direct replacement for the Hawker Hurricane, several design problems were encountered, and the Typhoon never completely satisfied...
and Tempests
Hawker Tempest
The Hawker Tempest was a British fighter aircraft primarily used by the Royal Air Force in the Second World War. The Tempest was an improved derivative of the Hawker Typhoon, and one of the most powerful fighter aircraft used during the war....
. After the war the airfield was used by the RAF to repatriate prisoners of war.
Dunsfold was declared inactive by the RAF in 1946 but was then used by Skyways Ltd, with York
Avro York
The Avro York was a British transport aircraft that was derived from the Second World War Lancaster heavy bomber, and used in both military and airliner roles between 1943 and 1964.-Design and development:...
, Lancastrian
Avro Lancastrian
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Franks, Richard A. The Avro Lancaster, Manchester and Lincoln: A Comprehensive Guide for the Modeller. London: SAM Publications, 2000. ISBN 0-9533465-3-6....
, Skymaster
C-54 Skymaster
The Douglas C-54 Skymaster was a four-engined transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces and British forces in World War II and the Korean War. Besides transport of cargo, it also carried presidents, British heads of government, and military staff...
, Rapide
De Havilland Dragon Rapide
The de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide was a British short-haul passenger airliner of the 1930s.-Design and development:Designed by the de Havilland company in late 1933 as a faster and more comfortable successor to the DH.84 Dragon, it was in effect a twin-engined, scaled-down version of the...
and Dove
De Havilland Dove
The de Havilland DH.104 Dove was a British monoplane short-haul airliner from de Havilland, the successor to the biplane de Havilland Dragon Rapide and was one of Britain's most successful post-war civil designs...
aircraft. Skyways's operations included support of the Berlin Airlift. Skyways also refurbished ex-RAF Spitfires and Hurricanes
Hawker Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
for the Portuguese Air Force
Portuguese Air Force
The Portuguese Air Force is the air force of Portugal. Formed on July 1, 1952, with the Aeronáutica Militar and Aviação Naval united in a single independent Air Force, it is one of the three branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces and its origins dates back to 1912, when the military aviation...
.
Hawker Aircraft Company
In 1950 The Hawker AircraftHawker Aircraft
Hawker Aircraft Limited was a British aircraft manufacturer responsible for some of the most famous products in British aviation history.-History:...
Company acquired the lease of the site. Dunsfold became internationally known for development of the Hunter
Hawker Hunter
The Hawker Hunter is a subsonic British jet aircraft developed in the 1950s. The single-seat Hunter entered service as a manoeuvrable fighter aircraft, and later operated in fighter-bomber and reconnaissance roles in numerous conflicts. Two-seat variants remained in use for training and secondary...
jet fighter, limited numbers of Sea Hawks
Hawker Sea Hawk
The Hawker Sea Hawk was a British single-seat jet fighter of the Fleet Air Arm , the air branch of the Royal Navy , built by Hawker Aircraft and its sister company, Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft. Although its origins stemmed from earlier Hawker piston-engined fighters, the Sea Hawk became the...
were also produced and Sea Furies
Hawker Sea Fury
The Hawker Sea Fury was a British fighter aircraft developed for the Royal Navy by Hawker during the Second World War. The last propeller-driven fighter to serve with the Royal Navy, it was also one of the fastest production single piston-engined aircraft ever built.-Origins:The Hawker Fury was an...
were refurbished. Airwork Ltd leased two hangars from 1953-58 for the refurbishment of F-86 Sabre
F-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
s and Supermarine Attacker
Supermarine Attacker
The Supermarine Attacker was a British single-seat naval jet fighter built by Supermarine for the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm . It was the FAA's first jet fighter.-Design and development:...
s.
In October 1960 the then Hawker Siddeley flight tested its Hawker P.1127
Hawker P.1127
The Hawker P.1127 and the Hawker Siddeley Kestrel FGA.1 were the experimental and development aircraft that led to the Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the first vertical and/or short take-off and landing jet fighter-bomber...
prototype, the development aircraft that led to the Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the first VTOL
VTOL
A vertical take-off and landing aircraft is one that can hover, take off and land vertically. This classification includes fixed-wing aircraft as well as helicopters and other aircraft with powered rotors, such as cyclogyros/cyclocopters and tiltrotors...
jet fighter bomber. Folland Gnat
Folland Gnat
The Folland Gnat was a small, swept-wing British subsonic jet trainer and light fighter aircraft developed by Folland Aircraft for the Royal Air Force, and flown extensively by the Indian Air Force....
test flying and production moved to Dunsfold from Chilbolton, Hants, in 1961. Final assembly of the Harrier and the Hawk trainer aircraft was at Dunsfold.
British Aerospace
Hawker Siddeley became part of British AerospaceBritish Aerospace
British Aerospace plc was a UK aircraft, munitions and defence-systems manufacturer. Its head office was in the Warwick House in the Farnborough Aerospace Centre in Farnborough, Hampshire...
in 1977. On 2 July 1986 British Aerospace's deputy chief test pilot Jim Hawkins was killed at Dunsfold when his developmental Hawk 200 crashed. On 24 June 1999 British Aerospace announced the closure of Dunsfold as part of a restructuring; Hawk final assembly had been transferred to Warton
Warton Aerodrome
Warton Aerodrome is located near to Warton village on the Fylde in Lancashire, England. The aerodrome is west of Preston, Lancashire, UK.Today the airfield is a major assembly and testing facility of BAE Systems Military Air Solutions....
in 1988, the Sea Harrier production finished in 1998 and the Harrier 2+ production was moved to Brough in 2000. The gate-guardian aircraft - Hawker P.1127 XP984 - was moved to Brooklands Museum on long term loan.
Post-British Aerospace
In 2002 BAE SystemsBAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is among the world's largest military contractors; in 2009 it was the...
(British Aerospace's successor) sold Dunsfold Aerodrome to The Rutland Group who formed Dunsfold Park Ltd. Today the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
motoring show Top Gear
Top Gear (current format)
Top Gear is a British television series about motor vehicles, primarily cars. It began in 1977 as a conventional motoring magazine show. Over time, and especially since a relaunch in 2002, it has developed a quirky, humorous style...
is recorded at the park using a former hangar as a studio and parts of the runways and taxiways of the aerodrome as a test track
Top Gear Test Track
The Top Gear test track is used by the BBC automotive television programme Top Gear. It is located at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, United Kingdom. The track was designed by Lotus Cars...
.
The Young Drivers Track
Some of the track (The Young Drivers Track) is now used by many driving schools and instructors to enable under seventeen year olds to learn to drive. Hundreds of youngsters have now had their first driving experience at the Top Gear location before going out on to the road.
Since June 2007 Dunsfold Park has been home of the Surrey Air Ambulance Service
South East Coast Ambulance Service
The South East Coast Ambulance Service is the NHS Ambulance Services Trust for south-eastern England, covering Kent , Surrey, West Sussex and East Sussex . It also covers a part of north-eastern Hampshire around Aldershot...
. Dunsfold Park is also home to Wings and Wheels, an annual air and motor show that is typically held in late August. The airshow attracted over 25,000 visitors and raised over £80,000 for charities including Help for Heroes and the Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance in 2009. Increasing popularity has meant the event is now a two-day show.
Dunsfold Park Ltd also organise a Drive-In Cinema, Dunsfold Drive-In http://www.dunsfolddrivein.com, over the Easter bank holiday as well as a popular and classical concert, Strings & Wings http://www.stringsandwings.com, on the first weekend in June, and the annual "Dad's Day Out" motoring event, held in aid of The Children's Trust, Tadworth
The Children's Trust, Tadworth
The Children's Trust, Tadworth is a national charity that provides care, education and therapy to children and young people with multiple disabilities and complex health needs...
.
Hawker Siddeley HS.125 accident
On 20 November 1975 a test flight of a Hawker Siddeley HS.125 G-BCUX was taking off on runway 07 when, just as aircraft became airborne, the flight was struck by birds. The pilots tried to land back onto the runway but the aircraft overran the runway and struck a passing car on the A281 road. The aircraft stopped in a field and was destoyed by fire. All six people inside the car died and one crew member out of nine passengers and crew was injured.Memorial
A memorial, funded by public subscription, was raised outside the nearby Alfold Barn pub (on the A281 roadA281 road
The A281 is a northwest-southeast road in southern England that passes through the countryside between Guildford, Surrey and Pyecombe, West Sussex near Brighton.-Route :*Guildford *Shalford *Bramley...
between Guildford
Guildford
Guildford is the county town of Surrey. England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the administrative headquarters of the South East England region...
and Horsham
Horsham
Horsham is a market town with a population of 55,657 on the upper reaches of the River Arun in the centre of the Weald, West Sussex, in the historic County of Sussex, England. The town is south south-west of London, north-west of Brighton and north-east of the county town of Chichester...
) with the permission of Alfold Parish Council. Dunsfold Parish Council declined to host the memorial.
The memorial and its unveiling on 20 July 1992, exactly 50 years to the day after the first aircraft (an RCAF Tiger Moth
De Havilland Tiger Moth
The de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth is a 1930s biplane designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and was operated by the Royal Air Force and others as a primary trainer. The Tiger Moth remained in service with the RAF until replaced by the de Havilland Chipmunk in 1952, when many of the surplus aircraft...
) landed at Dunsfold, was organised by the Dunsfold Society of Mssrs Alan Barrett, Paul McCue
Paul McCue
Paul McCue is a British military historian, writer and author.Born in Wombwell, near Barnsley in South Yorkshire, and educated at: Wath Grammar School, Yorkshire; The County Grammar School, Godalming, Surrey; and the University of Birmingham .Presently works as an Assistant Director in the Local...
, Gareth Morgan, Peter Robinson and Brian Spencer. A Tiger Moth and Lockheed P-3 Orion
P-3 Orion
The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft developed for the United States Navy and introduced in the 1960s. Lockheed based it on the L-188 Electra commercial airliner. The aircraft is easily recognizable by its distinctive tail stinger or...
(of present-day 320 Sqn RDNAS) performed fly-pasts.
Hawker Hunter G-HHUN accident
On 5th June 1998 a Hawker Hunter G-HHUN crashed at Dunsfold prior to that weekend's airshow. The pilot, John Davis, was killed.Museum
A museum is maintained on site (open on Wednesdays to the public) by Reg Day who served with 98 Sqn RAF at Dunsfold in 1943-44.Film work
A Boeing 747-200 which served with British AirwaysBritish Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
until 2002 as City of Birmingham, G-BDXJ
G-BDXJ
G-BDXJ is the registration of a Boeing 747-236B aircraft purchased by British Airways in 1980, which after retirement found a new life as a film prop.-Aircraft history:...
, was purchased by Aces High Limited, a company specialising in supplying aircraft for television and film work, and transferred to Dunsfold.
It was modified and used for filming for the 2006 James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
film Casino Royale
Casino Royale (2006 film)
Casino Royale is the twenty-first film in the James Bond film series and the first to star Daniel Craig as fictional MI6 agent James Bond...
. Some of the scenes set at Miami International Airport
Miami International Airport
Miami International Airport , also known as MIA and historically Wilcox Field, is the primary airport serving the South Florida area...
were filmed at Dunsfold.
Modifications to the aircraft include the removal of the normal Rolls Royce
Rolls-Royce plc
Rolls-Royce Group plc is a global power systems company headquartered in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s second-largest maker of aircraft engines , and also has major businesses in the marine propulsion and energy sectors. Through its defence-related activities...
engines in separate nacelle
Nacelle
The nacelle is a cover housing that holds engines, fuel, or equipment on an aircraft. In some cases—for instance in the typical "Farman" type "pusher" aircraft, or the World War II-era P-38 Lightning—an aircraft's cockpit may also be housed in a nacelle, which essentially fills the...
s and replacement with a single nacelle on each wing with two engines, similar to those fitted to aircraft such as the B-52 Stratofortress
B-52 Stratofortress
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber operated by the United States Air Force since the 1950s. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, who have continued to provide maintainence and upgrades to the aircraft in service...
. Dummy drop tanks have been fitted where the outer engines would normally be fitted. The aircraft is not flyable at the present moment.
The aircraft has also appeared in the background of numerous Science in Action and Top Gear
Top Gear (current format)
Top Gear is a British television series about motor vehicles, primarily cars. It began in 1977 as a conventional motoring magazine show. Over time, and especially since a relaunch in 2002, it has developed a quirky, humorous style...
episodes and directly in an episode where it is towed by a JCB Fastrac
JCB Fastrac
The Fastrac is a high speed agricultural tractor series manufactured by JCB Landpower, part of the J. C. Bamford group of companies.Production began in 1991, with continual development to the present day...
tractor.
It was also towed by a Volkswagen Touareg
Volkswagen Touareg
The Volkswagen Touareg is a mid-size crossover SUV produced by German automaker Volkswagen since 2002. The vehicle was named after the Tuareg people, a Berber-speaking group in North Africa...
in a 2006 Fifth Gear
Fifth Gear
Fifth Gear is a motoring television magazine show from the United Kingdom. Originally shown on Channel 5, the show is currently presented by Tiff Needell, Vicki Butler-Henderson, Jason Plato, Jonny Smith and Ben Collins...
episode, the same year that the modified aircraft and Dunsfold Airfield were featured in a television advertisement filmed for the Volkswagen Touareg, demonstrating the vehicle's towing ability.
In 2008 it featured in an episode of Scrapheap Challenge
Scrapheap Challenge
Scrapheap Challenge is an engineering game show produced by RDF Media and broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK. In the show, teams of contestants have 10 hours in which to build a working machine that can do a specific task, using materials available in a scrapheap. The format was exported to the...
in which contestants created machines to tow the aircraft.
In 2009 for major parts of Episode 4 of ITV Series Primeval
Primeval
Primeval or primæval may refer to:* Primeval, a British science fiction television series.* Primeval , a 2007 film* Primeval , a score of music from the BBC TV series Doctor Who...
featuring a Giganotosaurus
Giganotosaurus
Giganotosaurus is a genus of carcharodontosaurid dinosaur that lived around 97 million years ago during the early Cenomanian stage of the Late Cretaceous Period. It included some of the largest known terrestrial carnivores, slightly larger than the largest Tyrannosaurus, but smaller than the...
, Dunsfold Airfield was used as the location for an unspecified London Airport.
On 10 April 2011 it was the hosting spot for the first time for Cobham Bus Museum's yearly event.
The future
In 2006, the owners of Dunsfold Aerodrome proposed the construction of a new settlement with 2,600 homes on the site, a school, health services, public transport and road links to the A281, and an expanded business district. The project was designed to be an example of green and sustainable living. It was opposed by local residents, Surrey County Council, four borough councils and thirteen parish councils as well as the South East England Regional Assembly and the South East England Development Agency but received support from some environmentalists, including Friends of the Earth, for its innovative approach. It was refused planning permission by the local borough council and in 2009 rejected on appeal by the then Secretary of State John Denham.Although the owners say they still hope to persuade the authorities that eco-settlement remains the best long term future for the site they are now concentrating on expanding and promoting the underlying aviation potential of the aerodrome which is still in operational use.
In April 2011, Dunsfold Park claimed that a 60 year old planning consent allows the entirely unrestricted use of the aerodrome. The claim led to objections from parties such as all the local Parish Councils and bodies such as the Council to Protect Rural England and concern was been expressed by local Members of Parliament.
Interested parties claimed that by suggesting freedom from restriction on "noise, air quality other emissions and environmental effects", Dunsfold Park has shown inconsistency with its eco-friendly approach as well as a disregard for the local community.
In June 2011, Waverley District Council refused Dunsfold Park's application for a certificate of lawful use as an aerodrome, effectively reminding all parties that the site is industrial with aviation facilities. Dunsfold Park Ltd are hence left in a situation where their planned expansion into further aviation is stymied and, while at the time of writing they still have the opportunity to appeal, a study of the refusal suggests Waverley have reached a sustainable conclusion.
In late 2007, Dunsfold Park Ltd. applied to have their plans for the new town selected as one of Gordon Brown's proposed "eco-towns". On 3 April 2008 Dunsfold Park was denied Eco-town status by the Housing Minister Caroline Flint. According to the Government's press release Dunsfold Park was rejected "for being undeliverable or not ambitious enough to meet the high environmental and affordability standards set by Government."
Details of the application can be found here: http://waverweb.waverley.gov.uk/live/wbc/pwl.nsf/(RefNoLU)/WA20110520?OpenDocument
Dunsfold Park Ltd set of financial accounts (source: Companies House) are as follows:
DIRECTORS’ REPORT
The directors have pleasure in presenting their report and the audited financial statements for the year to 31 December 2009.
The company retained a loss for the year of £706,223 (2008 – Loss £1,256,749)
Shareholders’ deficit as at 31/12/09 was (£1,003,482)
Shareholders’ deficit as at 31/12/08 was (£297,259)