RAF Beaulieu Virtual Tour + WW2 Airfield Overview

[@TrexplorerUK]

** UPDATE / EDIT ** Around 26 mins I say that women didn't fly the planes at Beaulieu. My intention here was in reference to the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) who were based at Beaulieu, who did not fly from the airfield based on my research. However, women in the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) did on occasion fly planes into Beaulieu such as Mary Ellis, who delivered aircraft. You can read more about her here: nfknowledge.org/contributions/memories-of-an-ata-girl/

[@aeroearth]

Beaulieu Aerodrome was the Free Flight flying field of the Southampton Model Aero Club as well as the Bournemouth Club . Free Flight models are essentially gliders which get to gliding height one of three ways. Either by being towed up on a 50 meter long line, or by a stranded rubber motor driving a large diameter propellor or a miniature engine of diesel or glow plug ingition type on a few second engine run. I flew many times at Beaulieu Aerodrome in the 1960's and 1970's and at one competition had three rubber powered models catch thermals causing me to walk all the way South to the coast on long and unsuccessful retrieves as the models headed south for France. One was fished out of the water by a Sailor and I got that one back. It was also at Beaulieu at the age of 15 was when I first rode a motorcycle and that was around around the perimeter track. A 700cc Royal Enfield Meteor. Two minutes of instruction on how clutch and gears worked and off I went. Didn't fall off either, despite the gravel on the peritrack.

[@TrexplorerUK]

Hello Jon, thanks for taking the time to write your comment. I appreciate it, as this aspect of Beaulieu Airfield's history is the one part my knowledge is weakest on. There is a plaque in the ground on the heath near one of the old runways which is dedicated to two of the early model flyers who flew at Beaulieu, including Pete Buskell who died in 1992.

[@rancidschannel3206]

Fantastic. My Auntie Penny Haines used to fly aircraft to here

[@rancidschannel3206]

Very comprehensive given me a few places to look for next time..Thanks for sharing

[@DaveFord]

Excellent video Marc - very well produced. Thanks for your work - a great source of information.

[@TrexplorerUK]

Thank you Dave. Doing all this research and walking has kept me sane during the last 12 months. I am sure you can identify with that, given the times we live in and how good for the soul the New Forest can be. And of course, you were one of the people to first inspire me to do this, and for that, ever grateful - hopefully see you and Logan out and about some day :-)

[@fivecylinderperfection5060]

Just come across this video after searching for more info on RAF Beaulieu. I have learnt lots of interesting things that I never knew about the area depsite spending many months/years of my childhood camping at Roundhill with my family in the 70's, 80' and 90's. I remember the walks around the airfield perimeter road and actually going into the Nissan huts you showed in your film (they were freely open in those days). I also spent time with the scouts at the hut (bonfire and soup nights) before it got pulled down which was sad to see. I used to play at the water tower. It wasn't fenced off in those days, just the ladder was closed off with a metal plate and some anti-climb paint. I remember me and a couple of friends managing to prise open the edge of the locked maintenance box next to the ladder and pinch the plan of the water tower that was inside it. I found it again when I cleared out my parents house after they passed away so I must have taken it home with me. One night in the hot summer of 1976, we were camped in our caravans right under the water tower. We spent the evening with the scouts and as it got dark we could see flashes of lightning heading our way from across the Isle of Wight in the distance. The heavens opened and a tremendous storm raged for the next few hours. Trees were hit by lightning and tents were flooded out. The pond was filled to the brim with water after so many months of no rain. Over the years our parents became too old to go camping anymore but the younger generations continued to camp at Roundhill and we even took our own children. I recently visited the airfield (parked at Stockley) and stopped for a picnic with my own family, it brought back happy memories of when I was at the same spot so many years ago with my parents. Thanks for a great video.

[@TrexplorerUK]

Hi there, thank you for taking the time to write this, it means a lot to know other also enjoy this place too like I do. Those are some fantastic memories you have! I camped at Roundhill twice this summer, it can be quite atmospheric when you know more about the history - it helps bring it more to life for sure. You might be interested possibly, as I've got a website I run about the airfield. I've put together some information and old photos of the scout hut that you might enjoy seeing: rafbeaulieu.co.uk/grocery-store-chorley-lodge-scout-hut/ I've also done a series of videos about Beaulieu Airfield, you can view them all here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2TVZHypf8SerZo And lastly, if you are interested in local history from this area and use the Facebook platform, there's a group which has lots of places to visit and learn more about: facebook.com/groups/400948317956198 Above all, I'm just really grateful that you took so long to write what you did today. When I make my videos you never really know if people will watch and enjoy them as it's quite a niche topic... so thank you :-)

[@NaomisAdventures]

Awesome place

[@newforestexplorer]

Very good overview Mark , well done

[@TrexplorerUK]

Thanks Nick, I am not managing to get out as much as usual, so trying to think of desk-based content I can do - hope to see you soon for a stroll!

[@newforestexplorer]

@@TrexplorerUK Yes always up for a stroll. Hopefully going to have a look over the other half of Copythorne Common today

[@kevinthebespectacledpilgrim]

Just returned home from a short stay at Roundhill Campsite. Fascinating video Marc I thoroughly enjoyed it. Spent yesterday evening tramping round the airfield with a photo of an old map (on display at Reception) and my phone GPS. Along the edges of the runway, tarmac paths are still visible and I wondered why they left them? Also 2’ square concrete slabs with lozenge shaped holes, runway marker lights? It seemed to me that the runways, made of tar tumbled, compressed stones with a smoother layer on top, had been removed. Only the edges remain. No luck locating the ATC though. It was very atmospheric.

[@TrexplorerUK]

Hey Kevin, thanks so much for the kind words, it means a lot, I’ve camped at Roundhill twice in the last month and know what you mean. Yes, the lozenge aspects are where lights would be. I have also noticed the raised tarmac sides, some of which are still very evident to walk on. I imagine it would be hard to eradicate everything, what a job isn’t must have been! The runways tended to be hardcore laid underneath. Anecdotally it’s said to be rubble from Southampton blitz in places which is why we might see bricks and tiling. Then on top a concrete later was laid and smoothed. I’m glad you’ve experienced the airfield this way, it’s an amazing place, and atmospheric like you say,

[@domanthony8906]

Hi mate, I’ve noticed you’ve not covered stockley enclosure next to the campsite, I’ve found trenches in the woods with metal remnants which I’m guessing were covers for the trenches. Thanks

[@TrexplorerUK]

Hi Dom, thanks for watching and the comment. What appear to be trenches in that area, I believe to be the foundations of latrines given how they map to a 1945 plan of the airfield. The "springy" metal though, not sure what that is. Stockley Inclosure was the defence site for the airfield, and where the RAF Regiment would have been posted, men tasked with protecting the base. You will have noticed the large Nissen hut foundations also in the Stockey Inclosure. I estimate enough room to accommodate 200 men in that area. It's great to hear you are exploring the sites as well, always happy to chat discoveries if you ever fancy :-)

[@domanthony8906]

Yes please mate, do you have an email address I can contact you on? Thanks for the info and keep the videos coming.

[@TrexplorerUK]

Yep sure - you can always drop me aline via this contact form on the page here: rafbeaulieu.co.uk/contact/ c@@domanthony8906

[@domanthony8906]

Thanks mate be good to keep updated with your findings. All the best

[@domanthony8906]

FYI the trenches are dug in mud east of site 4 in the woods closest to roundhill. Not the same area as stockley cottage footings.

[@IHZ3185]

Thanks for this, did SOE fly from here? Also across the road is East Boldre airfield, where TE Lawrence was stationed.

[@TrexplorerUK]

Hi Baz thanks for commenting. There’s no evidence that the SOE flew from Beaulieu. It is repeated online but I don’t believe it happened.

[@rancidschannel3206]

Think the council should dig out the Battle HQ, why burry it! Can we dig it out?

[@SteveCuthew]

Airfield dispersal areas know colloquially as Pans.