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Visitor's guide to Gamston, Notts.

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andygolfer
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Visitor's guide to Gamston, Notts.

Post by andygolfer » Mon Nov 16, 2015 5:12 pm

Gamston
Address: Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 0QL
Imagegamston OS map by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr

website: http://www.retfordairport.co.uk/

Frequency listings can be found here :- viewtopic.php?f=67&t=43536

Airport code: EGNE

Radio A/G: 130.475 MHz (
Runway 03/21
5,522 x 98 ft (1,683 x 30 m) — paved — lighted— threshold 03 displaced 787 ft (240 m) — threshold 21 displaced 787 ft (240 m)

Two other disused runways:
08/26 2,662 x 150 ft (811 x 46 m) — paved — not lighted
15/33 2,764 x 150 ft (842 x 46 m) — paved — not lighted

Imagegamston google earth airfield plan by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr

The airport is adjacent to and on the north east side of the A1 accessible from the junction just south of Elkesley onto the B6387 (within a 50mph zone). It is signposted from the A1 and is approx. 1 mile west of Gamston village.
The entrance is clearly signed and there are car parking spaces to the left next to the Apron café as you drive in – there is a gate onto the apron immediately ahead, the reception and control tower are to the left of the gate.

Imagegamston hangars GE plan by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr

When I visited I went to the control tower to ask if I could look round and was given land side access only. They no longer do the airside tours but I was able to take photos of the apron from the control tower and the pilot’s lounge below - a nice friendly welcome even though the airside tours are no longer.

Much of the apron is also visible from the café patio (point A on the google earth image of the hangar area) certainly to the southern end and partly to the north. You can also walk behind the hangars to the northern end where the flying club cabins are and there is a gate (B on plan) immediately at the end of the hangars where you can also see the apron. Unfortunately you cannot see into the hangars from either point. While in the lounge I was offered a look by one of the staff there but he said that the aircraft were quite tightly packed and photos wouldn’t be very good so I declined his offer. I cannot guarantee that you would always find the right person for this offer so don’t assume you will get access.

Between the entrance and the A1 there is a road that leads up to an industrial estate right past the 03 threshold where you can see right down the runway (point c), I’ve read that by going further along you can see across to the hangars and possibly into them if the doors are open but I haven’t tried this.
screengrab from Google streetview from point C looking along the runway:
Imageview along runway by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr

here are a few pics, I used an 18-240 zoom for all of these and needed no more than about 180mm:
the southern apron from the lounge
Image1997 Gamston, southern end of apron 12-11-2015 by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr

the northern apron from the tower
Image1989 Gamston, northern end of apron by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr

arrival on the runway from the cafe patio;
Image1895 OE-FCB Ce.510 Citation Mustang Gamston 12-11-2015 by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr

and on the apron right in front - don't wear a hat if the aircraft turn right in front of you:
Image1915 OE-FCB Ce.510 Citation Mustang Gamston 12-11-2015 by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr

these two were taken from point B by the flying club cabins:
Image1976 Gamston, apron from flying school gate by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr

Image1981 G-HGOO Hughes 600 Gamston 12-11-2015 by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr

there are several logs from Gamston contributed by members which can be found in the Gamston section of the forum (just below this topic on the same page).

That’s about it but please add further information if you have any and as long as any information on spotting / photography points are legal.
Andrew
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Bobbybefc
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Re: Visitor's guide to Gamston, Notts.

Post by Bobbybefc » Tue Nov 17, 2015 2:08 pm

:D

Andy- It is a pity the guy who used to do the airside tours for Charity has retired- they were excellent -lots of stuff hidden away in the hangars. Also worth bearing in mind is the Micro-light field at Headon which is about ten minutes away and well worth a visit.

Bob :cool:
Bobby B EFC :cool:

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andygolfer
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Re: Visitor's guide to Gamston, Notts.

Post by andygolfer » Tue Nov 17, 2015 4:25 pm

Bobbybefc wrote::D

Andy- It is a pity the guy who used to do the airside tours for Charity has retired- they were excellent -lots of stuff hidden away in the hangars. Also worth bearing in mind is the Micro-light field at Headon which is about ten minutes away and well worth a visit.

Bob :cool:
thanks Bob, here's a couple of link to its:

http://www.microflight.co.uk/

http://ukga.com/airfield/headon

andy
Andygolfer (or at least I was once), now just plane crazy

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please support our photo competitions by entering and/or voting!
Proud winner of 2019 Air-Britain photo competition!

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my photos on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/125470545@N07/

Apache123
Posts: 111
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:46 pm

Re: Visitor's guide to Gamston, Notts.

Post by Apache123 » Fri May 10, 2019 4:17 pm

is Headon spotter friendly? do you need prior permission if so?

MTIA

APACHE123

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andygolfer
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Re: Visitor's guide to Gamston, Notts.

Post by andygolfer » Fri May 10, 2019 6:14 pm

Apache123 wrote:
Fri May 10, 2019 4:17 pm
is Headon spotter friendly? do you need prior permission if so?

MTIA

APACHE123
I've no idea I'm afraid, I didn't visit that one on my travels.
Hopefully somebody else will have visited at some time and can let you know.
andy
Andygolfer (or at least I was once), now just plane crazy

Image
please support our photo competitions by entering and/or voting!
Proud winner of 2019 Air-Britain photo competition!

co-owner of UK Light Aviation Enthusiasts google group https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/uklae
and Stansted Aviation Enthusiasts google group: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/stnae

my photos on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/125470545@N07/

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