As part of the Aeronautical Society, a small group of enthusiasts visited the historic Dunsfold Aerodrome near Cranleigh.
Max, Katy, Aiden (First Year Specialists – Year 12), and Jason (Fifth – Year 11) share their reflections.
Dunsfold had a crucial role in World War II and made significant contributions to aviation during the Cold War, helping with the Berlin airlift. More recent use of the Aerodrome is the test track for the show Top Gear, of which we got to enjoy a “tepid lap” in the school minibus!
Visiting Dunsfold was a really unique experience, especially given its significance in British aviation history. A key highlight from our trip was learning more about the Vickers VC10 and its design. We learned how it was developed as a long-range airliner and later adapted for military refuelling roles. Its rear-mounted engines give it a distinct appearance and excellent performance from shorter runways.
One of my highlights of the school year! I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Friday afternoon, than learning about what makes the VC10 such an interesting aircraft, getting to take a school minibus on a (gentle) blast around the Top Gear test track, and sitting in the left seat of a still functioning British Airways 747.
PHIL COMERFORD, TEACHER OF PHYSICS
A particularly memorable part of the visit was being able to drive in the school minibus around the Top Gear test track. As fans of the show, to be on a circuit that has featured so many famous cars and challenges over the years was truly fantastic.
We were also impressed by the Boeing 747 that we saw. The 33-year-old aircraft arrived at the aerodrome in 2020, making its final flight. After looking into the enormous Rolls-Royce engines and having a briefing under the wing, we were lucky enough to go inside. Everything remains almost the same as it was while in service, and this was evident when we got to enter its cockpit and glamorous first class. It currently serves as a filming location, and during our visit, it served as a police training location. Seeing such an iconic aircraft up close helped us appreciate its size and engineering complexity. Learning about its systems, capacity, and long service history gave us a greater understanding of why it became known as the “Queen of the Skies”.
Finally, we would like to thank Larry for taking the time to show us around. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and willingness to share interesting stories made the visit both enjoyable and educational, and helped bring the history and significance of the aircraft to life.
