DH Hornet F3 64 Squadron. Their Hornet F3s were later camouflaged and used in the Intruder role.
On September 15th 1949 one of two Hornets (F3 PX305 of 64 Squadron) which was to participate in Battle of Britain celebrations at Gibraltar was flown from Bovingdon to Gibraltar by Flt Lt H.Peebles at an average speed of 357.565 mph, a British point to point record. On September 19th with the same aeroplane Group Captain A.C.P. Carver flew from Gibraltar to Bovingdon, cruising at 25,000 feet in two hours and thirty minutes (+21 secs!) with a record average speed of 435.871 mph. It is said that he landed at Bovingdon with 15 minutes of fuel remaining.
Source BNA
PX305. Location unknown. Written off Butterworth after engine failure and belly landing October 28th 1954.
Illustrated London News October 1st 1949. Source BNA.
Acknowledged with thanks to Air Britain as captioned.
Evening Express June 5th 1953, Source BNA.
Fred Dunkerley with his Miles Gemini G-AKKB. Photo: Lancashire Aero Club.
Dunkerley a Rochdale Cotton Mill owner learnt to fly at the Lancashire Aero Club in 1947. He did this in order to facilitate visits to a Cotton Mill he had an interest in at Annsborough, County Down. He went on to become a well known and successful air racing competitor. He also set a few point to point class records in G-AKKB viz
London - Hague June 5th 1953
Hague - London June 5th 1953
London-Hague-London ditto
As The Hague records were made on the same day as his Brussels records I assume they were flown from/to Bovingdon.
London (Croydon) - Dublin July 28th 1953
Dublin - London (Croydon) July 28th 1953
London-Dublin-London ditto
London (Croydon) - Belfast August 25th 1953
Return attempt abandonded after engine failure over sea and single-engined landing at Liverpool.
Western Mail August 21st 1950. Source BNA.
Note 6th place achieved by 'Wally' Lashbrook Chief Pilot and Ops Manager of The Lancashire Aircraft Corporation Bovingdon.
Fred Dunkerley with Miss Murphy and his Miles Sparrowjet at Shoreham. Photo Key Aero Forum and Miss Murphy with thanks.
G-AKKB at Kemble in 2006. I believe she is still flying...... Photo Michael Brazier with thanks.