Southampton Model Aeroplane Club

The Beaulieu flying site is south west of Beaulieu village. It is approximately two miles from the centre of Beaulieu and is on the north west side of the road (B3054) between Beaulieu and Lymington. Flying there is controlled by the Beaulieu Model Flying Committee. The contact for the Beaulieu Flying Committee is Richard Knight of Mainly Planes & Trains, Chandlers Ford.

Click here to get a map showing the Location of the Beaulieu Flying Site

Beaulieu has a significant history; some of the facts have been given out by Alan Brown. Beaulieu became operational in August 1942 and was used by the RAF, RCAF,Czech, and US airforces. Initially Coastal Command flew Liberator aircraft (RAF) and late Halifax's (RCAF) until 1943 when the Czech squadron 311 took over with 53 Squadron RAF. In 1944 Coastal Command gave the base to 2nd Tactical Air Force where Typhoon fighter-bombers of 257 and 263 Squadrons RAF and 486 Sqdn R.N.Z.A.F flew sorties to northern France in preparation for D-day. March 1944 saw the USAF with Thunderbolts take over Beaulieu in preparation for the support of the D-day landings. After WW II Beaulieu was used as an Experimental Establishment for work on gliders and parachuting. Full size flying was ended in 1950. Where model aircraft fly today is on the actual main Tarmac runway used during the war years.

The Lordshill Centre is adjacent to the Southampton David Lloyd tennis centre and flyers normally use the car park off Redbridge Lane. To get there either leave the M271 at junction 1, going towards Lordshill and turning left into Redbridge Lane, or turn into the other end of Redbridge lane from the A3057 between the Lordshill roundabout and the Balmoral pub. The Lordshill Centre accommodates rugby, soccer, cricket, American football and other sports but there is usually room for model flying as well.

Click here to get a map showing the Location of the Lordshill Flying Site

or