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Aviation History
1948
1948 - 0946.PDF
686 FLIGHT JUNE 24TH, 194S Guest Week-end Members of the Royal Aero Club Return Hospitality to Foreign Clubs Members of the Royal Aero Club greeting foreign guests on arrival at Gatwick airport on Saturday, June 19th. Behind Mr. 0. Vejvad's KZVII from Denmark is the French Norecrin which brought Mr. and Mrs. R. Henrard, their son and daughter from France. BY lunchtime on Saturday, June 19th, a large numberof cheerful guests flying to the International AirRally organized by the Royal Aero Club, hadmanaged to dodge between thunderstorms and find their way to Gatwick. As each covey of aircraft arrived over thefield a renewed downpour greeted them, as if the elements wished to show spiteful resentment at the lifting of theQ.B.I, conditions which had earlier threatened to keep the visitors away. Col. Preston and his arm-banded helpers swarmedaround each arrival and escorted guests through the Customs to a cheery gathering in the restaurant overlookingthe airport. The aircraft were lined up neatly outside. Lord Pakenham, the new Minister of Civil Aviation,arrived at lunchtime and made a welcoming speech in which he said that although he had not been associateddirectly with flying, he had made about 25 trips to Germany in the last 12 months as a passenger. He saidthat the government would wish to associate itself with the Rally, which he considered to be an excellent way ofgetting people of all nations together. Baron de la Grange replied (whilst rain poured down outside) saying it wasso nice to be in England again; '' nothing appeared to have changed, not even the weather." By about threeo'clock in the afternoon 26 aircraft had arrived from seven countries and most of the guests were about to leave forLondon, where after a short rest at their hotels they were received at 6 o'clock at Londonderry House by LordBrabazon. When the reception ended the guests and their hostswere in the right mood for enjoying a supper-dance arranged at the Dorchester Hotel. Two late, but determined,arrivals, a Swedish Clem, and Mr. Pinal in his Auster from Spain, were able to join in the evening programme. On Sunday everyone had the morning to themselvesljut forgathered again for a buffet lunch in the banqueting hall and library at Londonderry House. During themorning and again after lunch many of the guests took .v)r One of the few twin-engined aircraft was the Airspeed Consul bringing from Spain a party led by the Duke of Almodovar Del Rio. (Right) Mrs. R. Gillon being assisted by her husband from their Navion after arriving from Ghent.
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