1986 - A film, aerobatics and a road

Early 1986 saw unusual visitors to Denham in the form of a film crew, a Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter and a Stampe SV.4C with military markings. They came to film scenes from the movie spin-off of the successful US television series "Crazy like a Fox". The Stampe was used in a hair-raising escape attempt by the wrongly accused heroes, all of which was filmed from the Jet Ranger. The film is most famous in the UK for the apperance of Graham Chapman, he of Monty Python's Flying Circus fame, as a police inspector in a rare straight acting role.

This Stampe SV.4C was based at Denham in the spring of 1986 to take part in the film "Crazy like a Fox".

This Bell 206 Jet Ranger from Alan Mann helicopters was used as the camera platform for the aerial sequences in the film.

A number of improvements were made to the aerodrome facilities during 1986. Biggles was a 1930s style family home which the aerodrome company purchased in 1946 to provide a club house for pilots and friends. Some years previously the club had ceased and the building had become a restaurant so alterations were needed. The hanging tiles were removed to install insulation before being replaced and better ventilation was provided for the kitchen. The second garage was knocked down and replaced to provide more space for the kitchen and food preparation.

Biggles restaurant saw a number of improvements in 1986, with new insulation under the tiled areas and improved ventilation for the kitchen.

The space between the main restaurant and garage was used to extend both the kitchens and the food storage facilities.

On the north side of the aerodrome a new road had been built along the edge of the land when it was bought in 1947, to provide access to the aerodrome buildings and Denham Park Farm only. This was called Hangar Road, as a gravel track it was constantly in need of repair, and customs officials were threatening not to attend. Due to the generousity, and for the convenience of an owner who kept his aircraft on the aerodrome, it was rebuilt and tarmaced. This was a huge improvement, however there was one disadvantage. All sorts of local neighbours started to use it in preference to thier own less desirable accesses. It was pointed out to them that no right of way existed, nor would be granted and Hangar Road remains a private road to this day.

Looking west along Hangar Road from the Tilehouse Lane end with the new kerbs being put in place.

Looking east along hangar road with the kerbs complete and the stone roadbed being rolled smooth.

The finished tarmaced road, a marked improvement over the original.

Between the 6th and 15th of August, the 13th World Aerobatics Championship was held at South Cerney aerodrome in Gloucestershire. Britain was the only country to have taken part in every single championship since the competition had begun, and in 1986 were also the host nation for the first time. What was remarkable about the British team this year was that no fewer than three of their number were pilots based at Denham. Brian Lecomber, Nigel Lamb and Phillip Meeson were all veterans of the display circuit as well as being seasoned competion pilots, and all had their aircraft based at the aerodrome. In the picture below, Phillip Meeson is on the extreme left, Nigel Lamb is next to him and Brian Lecomber is third from the right.

The British team and some of the organisers for the 1986 13th World Aerobatic Championships.

After the three accidents involving Grumman Cheetah aircraft in 1985, the type was being withdrawn from use at Denham. Sadly, there was to be one more accident in July when a Cheetah lost control on landing and the flying instructor on board was killed. The aircraft were grounded then disposed of by the Denham Scool of Flying.

A remarkable flight for charity took place from Denham on 6 August 1986. Judy Kay was a Director of the National Stroke Campaign and took part in the Dawn to Dusk International Flying Challenge, a competition judged by Prince Phillip. Departing from Denham and flying from 5am to 9pm, Judy landed at 12 airports, including Bournemouth and Blackpool, in an 800 mile flight around the UK. Although she had only begun flying training at Denham two years previously, Judy not only won the Women's Trophy in the competition, but raised over £5,000 in sponsorship donations for her charity.

Judy Kay raised money for charity while competing in the Dawn to Dusk International Flying Challenge.

One unfortunate incident occured at the aerodrome March, when vandals broke onto the airfield and cut the tie down ropes of several aircraft. One of these, a Piper PA-25 Pawnee agricultural and tug aircraft, was blown into one of the hangars during strong winds that night, damaging the starboard wing and aileron.

This Pawnee was damaged after vandals cut the tie down ropes and it was blown into a hangar.

As can be seen, 1986 was a varied year in the history of Denham aerodrome, a trend that was to continue for the rest of the decade, as will be recorded next.