My first ever flight was in a Dragon Rapide ca 1960. It was being used to take female Air Cadets on a flight experience, but was a civil aircraft. There was a spare seat and I was offered it because I happened to be hanging around looking at aircraft
I used to work for a man called Harry Patterson, who for several years operated pleasure flights from Speke. In addition to the usual pleasure flights, we would make trips to Southport Beach, Squires Gate and once to Baginton.