Just like the family car, every aircraft eventually reaches the end of its flying days. But where do these retired giants of the sky go to rest? The answer, surprisingly close to the capital, is an aircraft graveyard – a haunting and overgrown final stop for planes that time forgot.
The Southend Secret: An Aviation Graveyard on Your Doorstep
Hidden in plain sight, a genuine plane graveyard lies just an hour's drive from South London along the M25. For residents in East and parts of North London, it's even closer. This eerie site, also known as an aircraft boneyard, is nestled between the Skylark Hotel and the perimeter of London Southend Airport.
The forgotten plot, believed to be owned by the hotel, has been left untouched for years. Nature has steadily reclaimed the space, with vegetation growing wild around the dusty, silent aircraft. According to local reports, some of these planes could date as far back as the 1950s, holding decades of untold aviation history within their decaying frames.
What Planes Languish There?
A quick look via Google Maps' satellite view at Aviation Way, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6UN, reveals three forsaken aircraft. Two are larger, resembling modern passenger planes, while the third is a smaller craft, potentially a private plane.
Online aviation forums, like Fighter Control, offer some clues. Enthusiasts speculate that the two larger aircraft might be ex-RAAF Hawker Siddeley HS 748s. This refers to a medium-sized turboprop airliner originally designed by the British company Avro. However, there is no official confirmation on the exact makes or models rusting away at the site.
The mystery deepens when considering how they got there. The planes do not appear to be crash victims, as their fuselages seem largely intact from a distance. Instead, they show signs of long-term neglect, including rust and graffiti. The precise reason for their abandonment remains an unsolved puzzle, and their full histories may be lost forever.
How to See the Forgotten Fleet
Gaining direct access to the graveyard is not straightforward. The area is secured with locked gates and fences, preventing the public from simply wandering up to the planes. Trespassing on private land without permission can have legal consequences.
However, for the determined observer, one of the larger planes can reportedly be glimpsed from a distance. A strategic position in the Skylark Hotel's car park might offer a view. If you plan to visit, always seek permission from the landowner first and respect the boundaries of the private property.
This strange and silent collection serves as a stark reminder of the lifecycle of technology, sitting incongruously just beyond the bustling runways of a working airport. It's a unique and slightly creepy piece of local history, waiting for those curious enough to look.
