Status of the top gear airport?

Kodiak31415 · July 9th, 2005, 8:14 AM

Does anyone know what the current status of the airport whee TG is filmed? It appears to be active considering that almost every single episode you can see a different airplane in the back ground on the final turn of the test course. Once (When they were testing the TVR a few episodes) I even saw a 747 back there. I know for a fact that they use at least one shut down runway as I have seen the white X that symbolizes a closed runway. I don't live in the UK so I have no idea where TG is filmed, but 747's are pretty major planes and any airport that can take one has to be pretty major.

Any Idea what is going on with their airport? Its it a real airport somewhere?

Viper007Bond · July 9th, 2005, 8:16 AM

As mentioned in the thread for that episode, I believe some airshow was going on there, hence the 747.

And it's a closed airport: http://files.viper007bond.com/TopGearTestTrack.jpg

Kodiak31415 · July 9th, 2005, 8:41 AM

Alright, how about I one up you.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/606837/L/

^The top gear track

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/329608/L/

^A view of the TG "hangar". Or is it? Theres no logo on top of it which raises some questions. Look at the intro to any top gear show and you will notice that the lines on the buildings are there in the intro, like the logo has been digitally added. Now go look at season 6 episode 3. About 41:23 into the show. Remember the guys from the nearby factory? The buildings they are standing in front of is auctually the TG hangar, and JC points at it when he says 'This factory'. Conclusion, The TG hangar is not the building with the logo on it that is shown in the intro.

Ps. Watch a run through of the test track and follow along with the first picture. Gives you a good idea of how the track is laid out.

Viper007Bond · July 9th, 2005, 9:58 AM

Okay, we're getting more into the track itself, so let's try to keep it to one thread: http://forum.finalgear.com/viewtopic.php?t=3089

This can stay open for airport discussion though. images/smilies/smile.gif

ranger_dood · July 9th, 2005, 2:24 PM

That site that is linked above claims one runway has been reopened "on a very small scale".

Maybe they're flying R/C s images/smilies/tongue.gif

Viper007Bond · July 11th, 2005, 1:43 AM

RichW · September 15th, 2005, 7:03 PM

Dunsfold Park used to be owed by BAE Systems. Indeed I know several guys that worked there. They used to service the Harrier Jump Jets. But then BAE had cutbacks and made most of the staff redundant.

The warehouse units still hold some local companies but the runway is only used for storage purposes at the moment. Theres also about 400 new and unregistered Nissans parked on the grass.

I think the 747 might have something to do with the "Wheels and wings" event during the summer. images/smilies/wacko.gif

jensked · September 15th, 2005, 7:13 PM

Doesn't look like a very active airport to me...there's only one runway.

And you can see the 747 in many episodes. I haven't really examined the plane closer. But I think it was the only one I've ever seen. Is it a passenger jet or a 747 freighter?

Top Gear Girl · September 15th, 2005, 10:43 PM

Nick Mason landed his helicopter thier last series, does that count as a "working airfield"?

BlaRo · September 15th, 2005, 10:46 PM

Don't forget the stunt with the parachutist jumping into the Merc cabrio; he had to jump from somewhere, didn't he? images/smilies/wink.gif

Webmonkey · September 22nd, 2005, 2:31 PM

1) The 747 is at dunsfold for decomissioning, it was landed after one show last series and the crew all hung out to watch it land for the last time. It was quite sad actually. I've got some photos, I'll try and post some.

2) Helicopters can land anywhere as long as they are cleared by air traffic control to do so.

3) The parachute stunt was not done at Dunsfold.

4) The logo on the Top Gear studio is superimposed. The hanger used as the studio is the smaller building at the end of the main hangers.

Electrastar~Indochine · September 22nd, 2005, 4:39 PM

http://www.dunsfoldpark.co.uk/

James arrived by plane for ep1se6.

The parachute stunt was at Bentwaters.

On the arial view at the start of the show, the studio is (disappointingly) the small green roof to the right, next to the big hangers.

July 9th, 2005, 8:14 AM	#1
Kodiak31415 Joined: Jul 6th, 2005 Last Online: July 10th, 2005 Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	Status of the top gear airport? Does anyone know what the current status of the airport whee TG is filmed? It appears to be active considering that almost every single episode you can see a different airplane in the back ground on the final turn of the test course. Once (When they were testing the TVR a few episodes) I even saw a 747 back there. I know for a fact that they use at least one shut down runway as I have seen the white X that symbolizes a closed runway. I don't live in the UK so I have no idea where TG is filmed, but 747's are pretty major planes and any airport that can take one has to be pretty major. Any Idea what is going on with their airport? Its it a real airport somewhere?

July 9th, 2005, 8:16 AM	#2
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: 12:33 AM Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 25 Posts: 22,182 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 292	As mentioned in the thread for that episode, I believe some airshow was going on there, hence the 747. And it's a closed airport: http://files.viper007bond.com/TopGearTestTrack.jpg __________________ There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

July 9th, 2005, 9:58 AM	#4
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: 12:33 AM Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 25 Posts: 22,182 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 292	Okay, we're getting more into the track itself, so let's try to keep it to one thread: http://forum.finalgear.com/viewtopic.php?t=3089 This can stay open for airport discussion though. __________________ There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

July 11th, 2005, 1:43 AM	#6
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: 12:33 AM Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 25 Posts: 22,182 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 292	__________________ There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

September 15th, 2005, 7:03 PM	#7
RichW Joined: Sep 15th, 2005 Last Online: December 8th, 2008 Location: S London Posts: 211 Rep Power: 0	Dunsfold Park used to be owed by BAE Systems. Indeed I know several guys that worked there. They used to service the Harrier Jump Jets. But then BAE had cutbacks and made most of the staff redundant. The warehouse units still hold some local companies but the runway is only used for storage purposes at the moment. Theres also about 400 new and unregistered Nissans parked on the grass. I think the 747 might have something to do with the "Wheels and wings" event during the summer. __________________ Yes, London! You know, fish, chips, cup o' tea, bad food, worse weather, Marry f**kin' Poppins!

July 9th, 2005, 8:41 AM	#3
Kodiak31415 Joined: Jul 6th, 2005 Last Online: July 10th, 2005 Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	Alright, how about I one up you. http://www.airliners.net/open.file/606837/L/ ^The top gear track http://www.airliners.net/open.file/329608/L/ ^A view of the TG "hangar". Or is it? Theres no logo on top of it which raises some questions. Look at the intro to any top gear show and you will notice that the lines on the buildings are there in the intro, like the logo has been digitally added. Now go look at season 6 episode 3. About 41:23 into the show. Remember the guys from the nearby factory? The buildings they are standing in front of is auctually the TG hangar, and JC points at it when he says 'This factory'. Conclusion, The TG hangar is not the building with the logo on it that is shown in the intro. Ps. Watch a run through of the test track and follow along with the first picture. Gives you a good idea of how the track is laid out.

July 9th, 2005, 2:24 PM	#5
ranger_dood Joined: Feb 26th, 2005 Last Online: May 29th, 2008 Posts: 147 Rep Power: 0	That site that is linked above claims one runway has been reopened "on a very small scale". Maybe they're flying R/C s

September 15th, 2005, 7:13 PM	#8
jensked Joined: Mar 31st, 2005 Last Online: November 6th, 2009 Location: Flanders, Belgium Age: 26 Posts: 4,056 Car: RIP Opel Astra -> 2006 Toyota Corolla Wagon Rep Power: 49	Doesn't look like a very active airport to me...there's only one runway. And you can see the 747 in many episodes. I haven't really examined the plane closer. But I think it was the only one I've ever seen. Is it a passenger jet or a 747 freighter? __________________

September 15th, 2005, 10:43 PM	#9
Top Gear Girl Not A Dude Joined: Jul 30th, 2005 Last Online: June 13th, 2008 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 654 Rep Power: 0	Nick Mason landed his helicopter thier last series, does that count as a "working airfield"?

September 15th, 2005, 10:46 PM	#10
BlaRo Lady GaGa's #1 Fan Joined: Aug 18th, 2005 Last Online: 1:54 AM Location: Assachusetts Age: 21 Posts: 11,127 Car: 1997 Yamaha Seca II, 1976 Honda CB550F Rep Power: 360	Don't forget the stunt with the parachutist jumping into the Merc cabrio; he had to jump from somewhere, didn't he? __________________ "It is impossible to describe this kind of performance to the uninitiated. Telling a traffic officer or a safety crusader like Ralph Nader that 100 mph can be safe is like reading the Constitution to a Maoist; it is a strange and hostile concept." -Brock Yates. The body was accidentally unearthed from a shallow grave by construction workers. Because of Parkinson's.

September 22nd, 2005, 2:31 PM	#11
Webmonkey Former BBC TG Webmaster Joined: Jan 4th, 2005 Last Online: October 30th, 2009 Posts: 287 Rep Power: 20	1) The 747 is at dunsfold for decomissioning, it was landed after one show last series and the crew all hung out to watch it land for the last time. It was quite sad actually. I've got some photos, I'll try and post some. 2) Helicopters can land anywhere as long as they are cleared by air traffic control to do so. 3) The parachute stunt was not done at Dunsfold. 4) The logo on the Top Gear studio is superimposed. The hanger used as the studio is the smaller building at the end of the main hangers. __________________ Former webmaster of the bbc.co.uk/topgear/ site. My old nickname was bbc.co.uk/topgear/ My signatures are not endorsed by the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/

September 22nd, 2005, 4:39 PM	#12
Electrastar~Indochine Joined: Feb 16th, 2005 Last Online: March 1st, 2008 Location: UK Posts: 485 Car: Ava The Astra :-) Rep Power: 0	http://www.dunsfoldpark.co.uk/ James arrived by plane for ep1se6. The parachute stunt was at Bentwaters. On the arial view at the start of the show, the studio is (disappointingly) the small green roof to the right, next to the big hangers.

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