Selfridges Aviation Department

[windriver]

A bit of a long shot... but does anyone have any photos, anecdotes or otherwise useful information for an article about Selfridges Aviation Department?

Also any information about their Flying School would be very welcome.... and a photo of the "Link Trainer?" in situ in the store.

below is an extract from the the Flight Archive relating to the opening of the dedicated department...


"April 4th 1930
SELFRIDGE'S have opened an aviation department at Avonmore Road, which is right opposite Olympia. They had an official opening on Monday, March 31, and a large number of people were invited to celebrate the occasion. In the hall they had on view a Moth, a Desoutter, a Bluebird and a Klemm, also many engines ranging from the Rolls-Royce down to the little 40-h.p. Salmson. Sundry accessories were shown, and a bookstall was laid out with a varied selection of aeronautical literature. Selfridge's are making arrangements whereby they can supply any make of aircraft on the hire-purchase system, and a stock of several types will be kept. Purchasers can also make arrangements for having their flying instruction through the department. A model of the Handley-Page 40-seater was on view, but the hire- purchase terms were not stated, nor the probable delivery date mentioned ! Mr. Thornton Morris is in charge of this department, and if Selfridge's think there is sufficient in it for them to open such a department, there can be no doubt that the industry is in a healthy condition."

[denis555]

Am I imagining it or did I read somewhere that Amy Johnson bought an aircraft from Selfridges ?

Did she pop into womenswear and pick up a jumper at the same time?

[windriver]

Amy Johnson bought an aircraft from Selfridges

It appears they would sell you the aircraft of your choice, teach you to fly and flog you all you needed to look good in the clubhouse... On tick as well if you didn`t have the readies.

As for the Flight Sim ... not a Link Trainer, but a much more sophisticated bit of kit... The Whitlet Hoverplane. (Pictured on the store roof)

Extract From the Flight Archive - March 25th 1932
"The machine is a small biplane, built by A. V. Roe & Co., Ltd.,
and powered with a Douglas flat twin engine. It is pivoted on a
tripod which is supported by wheels, and upon these it travels
on a small circular track, performing according to the pupil's handling of the controls....."

Selfridge also claims to have been the first individual in the UK to charter an aircraft for a business trip. (Heston-Dublin in an Airco 9 - 1919)

.... and much much more

[233SQN]

Selfridge also claims to have been the first individual in the UK to charter an aircraft for a business trip. (Heston-Dublin in an Airco 9 - 1919)

is that 1919?? if so that would be 10 years before Heston Aerdorome was built....should it be Hounslow?

[windriver]

is that 1919?? if so that would be 10 years before Heston Aerdorome was built....should it be Hounslow?

Whoops Typo, well spotted 233 .. Should have read Hendon


CALLED urgently to Dublin one morning recently on business, and not wishing, if he could avoid it, to spend a day on the journey by train and steamer, Mr. Gordon Selfridge telephoned to the Private Hire Department of Aircraft Transport and Travel, Ltd., and arranged to make the trip in an Airco 9 biplane, piloted by Captain Gathergood.
After finishing his morning's work in his office, Mr. Selfridge lunched and then motored to Hendon,ascending at 2.30 p.m., and flying non-stop to Shotwick, near Chester, where a halt was made for tea and to obtain a report as to the weather over the Irish Sea. The flight was then resumed, and Dublin reached at 6.30 p.m.,in ample time for dinner.......

Aircraft Transport Company 1919 The Special Super Train

[skua]

for more details see the recently published biography of Gordon Selfridge by Lindy Woodhead.

[MaryGarden]

Originally Posted by denis555

Am I imagining it or did I read somewhere that Amy Johnson bought an aircraft from Selfridges ?

Did she pop into womenswear and pick up a jumper at the same time?

No. It was my father Oscar Garden that went into Selfridges and brought a second-hand Gipsy Moth, trading in his Chrysler at the same time. He then flew in it to Australia

[Innominate]

I don't think that Amy bought an aircraft from Selfridges, but at least one of the aircraft used on her long-distance flights was exhibited on the roof of the store.

When Amy moved down to London in 1927, she worked briefly in Peter Jones.