Mystery small aircraft

[Tim Inder]

I've found this photo, purportedly taken in or around 1949 over Norfolk but I can't identify the type.
I wonder if any PPRuNe'rs can help?
I've tried photoshopping it to try to identify the registration, but all I can get for certain is G-A***
The engine looks like it might be a Salmson 9 cyl radial.
Looking at the fin/rudder profile, it's not a DH or Avro, the shape of it reminds me of a Junkers 52.
My best guess so far is the Henderson-Glenny Gadfly III. the registration G-AARK) looks like it could be right, the engine has the right number of cylinders, and the photos of the Gadfly I look fairly similar, but I can't find a pic of the Gadfly III to confirm.
North Walsham Photograph | 1949 (http://www.northwalshamarchive.co.uk/archive_item.aspx?entry_id=425)

[Noyade]

Maybe a Klemm L-25?

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/749/img733.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/407/img733.jpg/)

[kms901]

Or the UK version, BA Swallow ?

[Planemike]

Can confirm it is definitely NOT a Henderson Glenny Gadfly. Fin and rudder are totally the wrong shape. If it is a 1949 photo, there were certainly no HG Gladflys airworthy.

Noyade and kms have us on the right track. BA Swallows were more numerous and about 17 are said to have flown after WWII so think it is more likely a Swallow. Not all 17 had radial engines, some had Cirrus inline engines.

Planemike

[Tim Inder]

Thanks all, certainly looks like a Klemm, the photos of Swallows that I've seen have a more triangular looking fin.
If only I could make out the reg!
Will try to get some more details.

[Planemike]

Tim.........

Agree with you tail does look more Klemm than Swallow (ignore my earlier surmise!!). Assuming it is British registered and the photo was taken in late 40s we have a choice of G-AAHW -AAUP or -AAXK.

Planemike

[aviate1138]

Playing with the contrast........

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn77/aviate1138/ScreenShot2013-02-15at163638_zpsdfcb10f9.png

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn77/aviate1138/ScreenShot2013-02-15at164453_zps5234e481.png

Closer.... http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn77/aviate1138/ScreenShot2013-02-15at170101_zpsfdf5ff58.png

Hmmmmm....

[Sir George Cayley]

Does anyone else think the back seater is holding their arms aloft?

SGC

[Planemike]

Certainly looks like it................

Planemike

[MReyn24050]

If you find the thumbnail in the Photo Archives for the North Walsham and District Community Archives website it is stated that the aircraft is a Klemm L25 owned and flown by Lt Col A J Richardson over Mousehold Heath.

On the Golden Years of Aviation website (Civil Aircraft Register - Great Britain (http://www.goldenyears.ukf.net/reg_G-A.htm)) the aircraft is listed as follows:-

G-AAFU - Klemm L25 I C/N 129 Owner: Col AJ Richardson/Mousehold >R Brown/ Southend >Cunningham Car Trust Ltd/Maylands Registered:23.03.29 Destroyed in hangar fire Maylands 6.2.40.

If the aircraft was destroyed in 1940 I wonder why it was listed on the North Walsham website in 1949?

[MReyn24050]

Using the internet in trying to find out a little bit more about Lt Col A J Richardson I have come across some intering facts whether they all apply to the same Gentleman I am not sure. However doing a search of the Royal Aero Club records I discovered that on the 5 August 1927 an Arthur Johnstone Richardson, born near Lurgan Ulster on the 19 July 1862 obtained his Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No 8132 at the London Aeroplane Club. He was 65 years old.
At the end of this short film is a reference to AJ Johnstone's achievement in gaining his licence at the age of 65.
AMERICA'S LATEST 170 MPH. BATTLE PLAN! - British Pathé (http://www.britishpathe.com/video/americas-latest-170-mph-battle-plan-1/query/LONDON+AEROPLANE+CLUB)
The Colonel's military history was as follows:-
Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Johnstone RICHARDSON DSO was born 19th July 1862. Son of C. Richardson. RMC. Lieutenant East Yorkshire regiment 1882. Passed Staff College lieutenant Colonel 1907. Burmese Expedition 1885 - 1887 medal with 2 clasps. West Africa 1897 - 1898, operations on the Niger medal with clasp. Anglo- Boer War 1900 - 1902 Queen's medal with 2 clasps, King's medal with 2 clasps. Retired 1911. Rejoined 1914 Commanded Hull Battalion & 8th South Lancashire Regiment. DSO [London Gazette, 20/10/1916] Mentioned in Despatches. Died 1936.
I am sure it is the same man.

I am curious of the caption to the Graeme's photograph:- "Formerly the mount of Col A J Richardson of North Sea fame". What North Sea fame?

[Planemike]

Couple of comments/suggestions:...............

1). G-INFO does not show the same ownership details as the register in Golden Years. Aircraft may have been loaned.

2). Wonder if "North Sea" could be North Sea Aerial and General Transport? This company was a subsidary of Blackburn Aircraft. Did Col Richardson fly for them? He appears to have strong East Yorkshire connections.

Planemike

[MReyn24050]

Thanks for that Planemike.
The G-INFO copy of the the aircraft registration document has a stamped note just above the entry for Roper Brown unfortunately I am unable to make out what it says, it seems to start "THIS ENTRY ....... REGISTER". Is it possible there was a previous record for this aircraft?
I have not yet found a connection between Col A J Richardson and the North Sea Aerial and General Transport, Ltd.

[MReyn24050]

Flight July 18 1930 list A Richardson as the owner of the aircraft:-
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/sabamel/Flight1930_zpsfb04abf1.jpg

[Noyade]

G'day Mel.

What North Sea fame?I found the photo in Jackson's 1960 edition of British Civil Aircraft pp 103. The layout, engine and tail just looked very similar although others versions don't. Here is the reasoning for the "North Sea Fame" - supposedly "legendary"? Maybe in 1960 - good year that. :)

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/9376/img736y.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/268/img736y.jpg/)

[sycamore]

Looks to me as though someone is standing on the port wingwalk ,and `fiddling with `something in the rear cockpit ,or occupant...!!

[MReyn24050]

Thanks Graeme. Well the good Colonel certainly was a character. I have found a reference to his flight in a report on the Meeting in Flight July 1929:-
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/sabamel/Flight1929_zps9d5341b0.jpg