Plymouth From Above - Aerial Surreal

Just before the closure of Plymouth Airport in 2011, we took the opportunity to grab a bird's eye view of Plymouth & the surrounding areas & view the many sites we have been documenting from the air. Something we had been wanting to do for a long while is see the forts & defensive structures from the air, to study how the landscapes have changed over time. We even managed to document some of the surrounding military & industrial landscapes including the former RAF Harrowbeer WWII airfield at Yelverton, & the vast moonscape looking China Clay pits of Lee Moor. Bring back Plymouth Airport, that's what I say!

Welcome to Plymouth!

Marsh Mills - atop the hill foliage conceals Efford & Laira Forts

Laira Bridge

Oreston & Radford Lake

Pre-flight I had mapped out a list of fortifications I wanted to capture from above, but it was only evident when we were a few hundred feet up that the task was going to be a tad difficult than planned. After all, this was my first experience of aerial photography, combine that with reading a map & a list from memory....it was worth the wait that's for sure. As soon as we reached the view of Staddon Heights, I could finally see the levels of fortifications that protected the the Eastern approaches of Plymouth Sound. Flying over the Breakwater we headed over to Mount Edgcumbe, into Cornish airspace to seek out the Palmerston Forts that protected the Western flanks.....we weren't to be disappointed.

Staddon Fort & Golf Club

Staddon Heights Defences & Bovisand

Flying over the Breakwater looking over Drake's Island, The Hoe & beyond

Fort Picklecombe - now a private estate stunningly converetd

The only downside to the flight was the low mist that you can clearly see in some of the photos, hence the low visibility in the coastal images. Flying over the Tamar Bridges was a great highlight, as was over our house (had to get a photo, you know the drill!) & seeing the way areas of Plymouth have developed comparing with our maps of 1890.

 The Tamar Bridge & Brunel's masterpiece - The Royal Albert bridge

A misty day over the Tamar

Agaton Fort nestled among the housing at Ernesettle

Crownhill Fort & a view toward the now closed Plymouth Airport

The huge clay pits of Lee Moor look amazing on the ground but above adds a totally different dimension, giving a true sense of scale. The bright blue pits of blue water surrounding the white clay look breathtaking, a man-made lunar landscape set amid stunning natural landscapes. It truly does make for phenonemenal viewing & it's right on our doorstep!

The stunning variations of landscape at Lee Moor

The Dewerstone

After flying over the Dewerstone, we headed directly for the former WWII airfield RAF Harrowbeer at Yelverton. I have documented RAF bases all over the UK but this was a first for seeing it as a fighter pilot would. I've walked the airfield many a time & always try pop in for a nice brew at Knightstone Tea Rooms where there is a fantastic archive on display.

Looking across Yelverton & the former RAF Harrowbeer airfield

Fighter pens at RAF Harrowbeer

The Rock & a WWII fighter pen

Then back to Plymouth & a sound landing to head off documenting another site on land this time. I for one, do hope that the Viable group can bring the airport back to life as I think there would be many Plymothians wanting to take the views in for themselves! What do you think?

Bring back Plymouth Airport!

Plymouth Airport - In Limbo

Almost a year on from closure, Plymouth City Airport still lies in a state of limbo, a modern day battle for it's future ongoing between the owners & a group of Plymothians fighting to bring it back to operational use, backed by thousands of locals who fear the loss of the airport would have detrimental effect for the city's growth. This week, a 38,000 strong petition was delivered to the Prime Minister by Plymouth Labour MP, Alison Seabeck along with hundreds of letters & e-mails of support for the Viable group. To show your support & get the full lowdown head over to the Viable website or their Facebook page;

Viable

Save Plymouth Airport

Over the coming months we will look back on the airport with a glorious history that dates back to 1923, & it's use in WWII as a Royal Naval Air Station & then RAF Roborough. We are looking to expand on the history already in the public domain with personal accounts of the people who manned & worked, or even visited the airfield over the years & encourage any former military or civilian to get in touch with us to share your memories.

The final day of operations was Friday 23rd December, 2011 & Hidden Plymouth obtained exclusive photos of the sombre day that until now, have never been published. Much of what we document has been left to rot or demolished. Like those lost places, will we be looking back on these photos in 10 years time with views of runways replaced with housing & retail village....The sound of aircraft engines rumbling down the old polo field never to be heard again.....We hope not! Viable has our support & we hope that their hard work will finally result in the airport reopening & provide a gateway to the local economy as part of Plymouth's future growth.

Plymouth City Airport - Final Day of Ops