Compton Abbas Vintage Fly-In 3rd June 2023

Post by **Disaster Area** » Sun Jun 04, 2023 7:53 pm

The Hughes family name will remain etched in Dorset aviation folk-lore as the family responsible for putting Compton Abbas Airfield firmly on the map. In late 2022 it was announced that the Hughes family had sold the airfield to a Mr G Ritchie. Everybody presumed that this was the nail in the coffin for the airfield and the site would be developed into something other than an airfield. The new owner was very quick to confirm his commitment to Compton Abbas remaining as an airfield and in early 2023 the airfield was closed to all but resident flying to allow for redevelopment work. Towards the end of May the airfield reopened to visitors and Saturday 3rd June 2023 it played host to its first vintage fly-in under new ownership. The old clubhouse has been completely removed and replaced with a spacious modern building with great views over the airfield. A bigger outside seating area has been created and the car park has been extended. This was definitely required as the place was packed with people enjoying the sunshine and aircraft. There are a number of events planned throughout the remainder of the year including 3 weekends that feature Spitfires flying from Compton Abbas! If you're in the area it's definitely worth dropping into the 'new look' Compton Abbas if only to sample a pint of Gritchie from the local brewery!

On with some photos of some of the vintage and not so vintage aircraft that came and went during the day!

GADKC de Havilland DH87B Hornet Moth by Chris Parsons, on Flickr

GAAWO de Havilland DH60G Gipsy Moth_a by Chris Parsons, on Flickr

GAHPZ de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth by Chris Parsons, on Flickr

GAIYS de Havilland DH85 Leopard Moth by Chris Parsons, on Flickr

GAJAD Piper J-3C-65 Cub_a by Chris Parsons, on Flickr

GAJIT Auster V J-1 Kingsland by Chris Parsons, on Flickr

GANKZ N6466 de Havilland D82A Tiger Moth by Chris Parsons, on Flickr

GARKM Piper PA22-108 Colt_a by Chris Parsons, on Flickr

GARKP Piper PA22-108 Colt_b by Chris Parsons, on Flickr

GAYEG Falconar F-9_a by Chris Parsons, on Flickr

GBCHP Scintex CP1310-C3 Emeraude_c by Chris Parsons, on Flickr

GBCPU WP973 de Havilland DHC1 Chipmunk 22_b by Chris Parsons, on Flickr