Steventon Farm Strip, Aces-High Gallery; 11th August 2026
Report by Peter and Kim Davison
This was the first time the Flyer general aviation resource had held a fly-in. Steventon lies just south of the GWR main line from Paddington to Swindon so the event witnesses fast passenger and freight trains running parallel to the mile long grass runway. An adjacent field provides space for parking and on site is the Aces-High Gallery holding hundreds of fine art pieces primarily with a transport theme with particular preference for wartime aviation and fast cars. The site holds regular gatherings for their loyal cadre of customers.
Unusually the fly-in allocated pre-booked arrivals from 0830-1230 and departures from 1430-1800 with some flexibility for delays. Parking was well managed and the lunchtime interval allowed non-members and visitors a chance to access the flightlines. A surprise resident was an excellent full-size replica Spitfire linked to the memory of Johnnie Johnson. Two ex-RAF noses, a Jet Provost and Buccaneer are also on site but not really part of this event.
A really welcoming and friendly event where even some visiting pilots were coerced into assisting with running the show; timed slots allowed a safe arrival regime with a landing every few minutes; it seems the expected numbers was driven primarily by how many aircraft could get in within the slot limit.
It was very much a gathering of friends. Flyer posts a weekly mail keeping members up to date on regulations, threats to GA airfields, opportunities for other events so it was a good opportunity to put names to faces whilst the variety of types covered decades of development from a early Auster to carbon fibre microlights, homebuilts and a few distinctive historical relics; all in good flying condition.
Two particular eye-catchers were the DHC-2 Beaver from Turweston and an ex-Hungarian Yak 12 that was originally imported through North Weald. An ex-RAF Chipmunk was one of the last arrivals.
It remains to be seen if this will be a regular annual event though it is likely Steventon will remain the preferred venue.
