Ratcliffe

**Denis** · 20-08-2011, 19:00

From your photos Steve, it looks a very atmospheric place, the style of the buildings are very unusual from the standard wartime ones we are normally used to. Just love the trusswork in the hangar roof.

**stevie** · 20-08-2011, 19:31

Cheers Denis. It's a lovely little airfield to look over with a really interesting history. One of those lesser known airfields.

**Praesta** · 20-08-2011, 21:36

Not a bad pint either Steve

**stevie** · 20-08-2011, 22:47

Originally Posted by Praesta

Not a bad pint either Steve

Quite a family history eh?

They're main brewery is not far from where i live actually. They did have a heli pad until recently so there was still a small family aviation link (just!!).

Cheers
Steve

**Praesta** · 21-08-2011, 16:50

Well Ratcliffe is only five minutes from my place, Think I might just go and contribute to the new helicopter in my own small way!

**stevie** · 21-08-2011, 23:23

The heli pad was on the Soar Valley Way in Leicester at the main Everards Brewery Ian.I don't think it's been used for several years now. The pads gone weedy, cracked and a bit overgrown. Just like Ratcliffe Aerodrome itself

. You can access the airfield from behind the college on the narrow old road as well as the busy A46 end. Best to give the door of the Rosmini Centre a buzz though. They were very freindly when we last went.

Steve

**Praesta** · 03-09-2011, 11:37

Just had the BBMF Dakota FZ692 (ZA947) fly over me (and Ratcliffe where I happened to be) at about 250 AGL presumably en-route to Shackerstone. Those P&W Wasps sounded lovely. The best thing about having a 2 year old with me was that I could wave without feeling foolish

**Denny** · 06-09-2011, 22:38

Hello: I have some pictures of my dad Wm Painting and some of his mates while working at what I believe was Ratcliffe

during 1943-44.

Would you or anyone help me with information about this airdrome during this period of time.
Thank you, Dennis Painting Guelph Ontario Canada