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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 1011.PDF
FLIGHT, OCTOBER 6, 1932 A MAIDSTONE " AT HOME " •** The lady members of the Maidstone Aero Club held the first of a series of "At Homes " on October 2. Over 250 people accepted the hospitality of the club, and something like 25 aircraft arrived during the afternoon. One particularly gratifying feature was the help given by the R.A.F. from Manston. Grp. Capt. Sidney Smith who attended the meeting believes that a very great deal of good can be done to civil aviation by the K.A.F. assist ing the social side of the flying club's work, and he there fore gave permission for some of his officers to fly over in an " Avro " (" Lynx ") and two " Moths." It will be remembered that Manston has always supported civil aviation efforts in Kent, and that the success of the recent Kound-Thanet race was in a very large measure due to the help received from this source. At this club " At Home " no attempt was made at putting up a flying programme, as it is felt that fostering the social side of the club is far better done by attention to things like club hospitality than by laying undue stress on what often turns out to be a somewhat unduly extended display of flying. It was unfortunate, however, that Mr. Lowe Wylde was unable to get his latest venture back from Hanworth in time for a demonstration, for, as has already been announced in FLIGHT, this is causing a large amount of interest. As at present arranged, the machine is a standard B.A.C. VII two-seater with a 600 c.c. Douglas motor cycle engine above the wing as a pusher, and teven in this form it flies well, although, of course, is not meant for any serious work away from aerodromes. A more practical version is however being designed, which it is understood will also be a pusher and probably a low wing monoplane. Following the " At Home " the club held their regular Sunday evening dance, and some 60 people stayed for this well enjoyed event. Arrangements have now been made to instal electric lighting in the premises at the aerodrome and advantage of this will be taken to provide night flying and flood lighting facilities. ]U EW AERODROME AT GLOUCESTER ' ™ Gloucester took its place among the air-minded cities of England on September 27, when Col. the Master of Sempill opened the private aerodrome of the Westgate Motor House Co., Ltd., on the main Cheltenham- Gloucester road. In company with the Mayor (Alderman S. J. Gillett) and the City High Sheriff (Mr. Wallace Harris), the Master of Sempill flew off the landing ground in a " Fox Moth to baptise the aerodrome. Prior to the opening, a large and representative gather ing attended a luncheon on the ground at the invitation AT GLOUCESTER : (L to R) Mayor of Gloucester (in the cabin), the City High Sheriff, Col. the Master of Sempill, Mr. A. King (managing director, Westgate Motors), at the opening of the Westgate Motor House Aerodrome. The City officials took a flight over Gloucester in the " Fox Moth " (Gipsy III) with Col. Sempill. 939 of the Westgate Motor House, the chairman of directors, Maj. J. N. Blood, presiding. Immediately supporting him, in addition to the Master of Sempill, the Mayor and the City High Sheriff, were Messrs. A. W. King (managing director), A. C. Gordon England, G. Heath, W. St. Clair Baddeley, and Capt. C. Uwins. The Master of Sempill, in a brilliant speech, said that there were undoubtedly several things which were keeping back the full development of aviation. One was the complete lack of facilities for those who wished to fly. The landing ground could certainly be ranged as one of the best organisations of its kind in the country. Other interests in the motor trade had endeavoured to establish landing grounds alongside their businesses, but none of them had done it so completely as the Westgate Motor House. Maj. Blood and Mr. King did not visualise that landing ground as a permanent institution. It was merely a stepping stone towards something much more complete, for they looked to the day when they would be able, possibly with the assistance of the municipality of Gloucester, to secure an even bigger site, and to help in the establishment of a proper municipal air park for the city. The fact that the Mayor that day was flying to London showed the right spirit. The Mayor, in the name of all present, congratulated the company upon embarking on that project. Gloucester in company with Cheltenham had had the matter of a municipal aerodrome seriously under consideration for some two years past. He was not at all sure he would be altogether anxious as an individual to suggest to Gloucester and to Cheltenham that they should necessarily do any thing which would conflict with the aims and aspirations of private enterprise. If the company could supply the city's needs, he hardly saw why the city should seek to come into the field too. On behalf of the city he con gratulated the Westgate Motor House on their venture, and wished the firm well. The Master of Sempill proceeded to the locked doors of the hangar nearby, and, having knocked with a spanner for right of entry, declared the aerodrome open. His own aeroplane was wheeled forth from the building. Accom panied by the Mayor and Sheriff he made a thorough tour by air of the city. The Mayor of Gloucester (Alderman S. J. Gillett) had to be in London in the evening on important civic busi ness, but he had also two engagements in Gloucester which could not be cancelled. Col. the Master of Sempill was returning to London in his " Fox Moth " after his visit to the aerodrome, and readily consented to help the Mayor out of his difficulty ; and in company with Mr. Gordon England left Gloucester shortly after 5 p.m., reaching Hanworth at 6.15. j-THE DUSSELDORF MEETING | * Some half-dozen British pilots 'hid intended to fly to Diissel- dorf for the meeting on Septem ber 24-25, but, on seeing the weather reports on the 24th, all, except Mr. C. Cliff, gave up the idea. Perseverance won in the end, for his " Civilian Coupe " took off from Heston on Sunday, and, penetrating through heavy rain in England, found sunshine in Belgium. Arriving at Dusseldorf at 2 p.m., Mr. Cliff, and his wife as navigator, found themselves most enthusiastically welcomed. Though lunch was officially over, a most excellent meal—" mit Bier "—was immediately pro duced ; after which, as the only British arrival, the " Civilian Coup6 " was put on to lead the fly past amid endless repetitions of " God Save the King." Un fortunately the engine went on strike, so England was repre sented by a " Puss Moth " (Belgian owned) and a " Mono- coupe " (German owned), with British registration letters. At the last moment the Genet-Major allowed itself to be persuaded
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