AN intriguing photograph has been sent in to the Times by Okehampton historians Mike and Hilary Wreford— a superb black and white picture taken at a flying display at Okehampton airfield before the second world war.

The air display in 1932 was organised by the renowned British aviator Sir Alan Cobham on the airfield at Folly Gate, which opened in 1928 and closed in 1960.

Mike said: 'Whilst tidying our archives, I saw this photo which has often intrigued me — on the reverse side are the simple words "Folly Gate".

'It seems to us that it can only be the famous Sir Alan Cobham's air display on 21 August, 1932, which aroused such interest and controversy at the time.

'However, despite this, it is said that Okehampton was deserted on the Sunday as everyone flocked to Folly Gate.'

The event drew a huge crowd, with upside down flying, daring parachute descents, aerial marksmanship, formation flying, an exciting pylon race as well as an appearance by the world famous Golden Arrow car.

For five shillings (25p), passenger flights were available for the 'brave' who were taken up in a three-engined bi-plane.

However, not all approved of the flying show ­— especially as it was being held on a Sunday.

Okehampton Free Church Council and the local council protested against holding it and voiced their objection to Sunday flying in principle.

In one of the books in Mike and Hilary's 'Okehampton Collection' series, they wrote of this conflict of interests:

'The Lord Day's Observance stated: "The society considers Sunday flying displays on unwarranted extension of Sunday trading for amusement, and therefore a menace to the workers' rest day.

"It is considered destructive of the quiet and restful nature of this day and a challenge to the Christian conscience of this town".'

The debate on holding such events on Sundays was even raised in the House of Commons by the Under Secretary for Air, Sir P Sassoon, who said assurances had been received by Sir Alan Cobham that flying would not take place during worship time — hence the event started at 1pm on the big day.

Mike added: 'Despite requests to the police to prosecute, the display took place with great success and large crowds flocked to Folly Gate.

'One Okehampton businessman of the day gave the pilot five guineas (£5 5s) for a return trip to Plymouth.'

According to Wikipedia website the Folly Gate airfield, or RAF Okehampton, was used annually in the 1930s by Army Co-operation Squadrons with aircraft supporting the artillery practice camps on Dartmoor — usually from May to September — until 1939.

Aircraft such as Bristol Fighters, Atlas, Audax, Lysander were used by the RAF's 13 and 16 Squadrons.

This continued until 1942 when in March of that year, 73 MU was formed and the airfield became a forward holding unit, which was active from December 15 1942 and included an off-airfield storage site.

According to Mike, RAF Okehampton is believed to have been used as an airfield to drop British spies into France during the Second World War.

The US Army briefly used the field during the D-Day preparations in 1944 and the airfield was closed for military use on July 24, 1945 and the site transferred to 7 and 225 MU.

However there was occasional use of the field by AOP Austers until the early 50s, when the site was eventually cleared and returned to agriculture.

Mike and Hilary would love to hear any stories on the airfield and they can be contacted on 01837 52932.