Herts & Essex Aero Club
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There was a two volume series of books on Broxbourne airfield history published in 2003 ,unfortunately I do not have the author/publisher's details at present.
Broxbourne had a disasterous hangar fire in 1947 losing several aircraft mostly Tiger Moth and Proctor.
Broxbourne had a disasterous hangar fire in 1947 losing several aircraft mostly Tiger Moth and Proctor.
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Broxbourne
Hi
The two volume book 'Wings over Nazeing' was written by my late friend Les Kimm who sadly passed away last October.
I helped him with the facts etc. as in our early years we worked together for the Min. of A/C Production at Broxbourne on the Repair & Maintainance onProctors - Q6 Petrels - Vega Gulls Miles Magisters etc. ---after the war he stayed with the club for a while before moving on to D/H at Hatfield.
Although the airfield was called Broxbourne, Herts. it was actually in Nazeing Essex, just across the border. --- hence the title of the book.
The Hangar fire on 23/6/ 1947 was a disaster & destroyed some fine A/C, but the club lived on & prospered under the direction of 'Buster' Frogley who together with his brother Roger formed an airfield on a field on the family farm in Nazeing in 1931 (Both were famous speedway riders in the late 1920s & 1930s)
It would be great to hear from anyone on this subject
Greenviewpark
The two volume book 'Wings over Nazeing' was written by my late friend Les Kimm who sadly passed away last October.
I helped him with the facts etc. as in our early years we worked together for the Min. of A/C Production at Broxbourne on the Repair & Maintainance onProctors - Q6 Petrels - Vega Gulls Miles Magisters etc. ---after the war he stayed with the club for a while before moving on to D/H at Hatfield.
Although the airfield was called Broxbourne, Herts. it was actually in Nazeing Essex, just across the border. --- hence the title of the book.
The Hangar fire on 23/6/ 1947 was a disaster & destroyed some fine A/C, but the club lived on & prospered under the direction of 'Buster' Frogley who together with his brother Roger formed an airfield on a field on the family farm in Nazeing in 1931 (Both were famous speedway riders in the late 1920s & 1930s)
It would be great to hear from anyone on this subject
Greenviewpark
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Herts & Essex Aero Club
Back in 1962 my brother won an RAF Flying Scholarship at the age of 17. This was carried out at Stapleford Tawney, to which he hitch-hiKed every day in his CCF uniform.
After the requisite tuition he was sent solo, did a circuit and then landed back. He was somewhat chastened to see a large gathering of people at the dispersal as he taxied in, thinking to himself that he had committed some grave error or other. As he completed the checks, the hood on the AirCoupe (G-ARHB) was pulled back by the CFI and my brother was informed that he was the 1000th student to go solo from the club! He's still got the tankard they presented to him and a few more hours in his logbook now.
After the requisite tuition he was sent solo, did a circuit and then landed back. He was somewhat chastened to see a large gathering of people at the dispersal as he taxied in, thinking to himself that he had committed some grave error or other. As he completed the checks, the hood on the AirCoupe (G-ARHB) was pulled back by the CFI and my brother was informed that he was the 1000th student to go solo from the club! He's still got the tankard they presented to him and a few more hours in his logbook now.
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Is it true that one of the Frogley brothers was fined for low flying and went to Australia ? I was an apprentice for Thurstons in 1971 . Mr Ollis was my boss, busy days with Islander G-AWNU. Apaches G-ASMY and G-ATOA,Aztec G-AXFA. Got the odd ride in Cherokees . I got dermititus of my fingers caused by dunking cylinder heads in TVO(tractor vaporising oil). Had to pack up as I could not hold a pen or knife /fork as my fingers split . Happy days and wish I could have carried on . John Chicken ran the Stapleford Flying Club using Condors,the Aircoupes had gone by then. Remember Bob Batt of Aviation Traders coming to collect Prentice G-AOKL which had lain in the long grass derelict . He worked on it all day and ferried it to Southend that evening.
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Herts & Essex
Hi
There were two Ercoupes at Stapleford RHB & RHC both of which recently flew in a fly-in at our local airfield-- in fact a chap I knew worked on them at Stapleford & was recently present at the fly-in hoping to see them both arrive --- they did -- & it made his day to see both of them arrive, & talk with the owners --- soon after that he was sadly killed when his Taylor Monoplane spun -in only a spot only a few yards away from where those Ercoupes had been parked a few weeks earlier.
Greenview
There were two Ercoupes at Stapleford RHB & RHC both of which recently flew in a fly-in at our local airfield-- in fact a chap I knew worked on them at Stapleford & was recently present at the fly-in hoping to see them both arrive --- they did -- & it made his day to see both of them arrive, & talk with the owners --- soon after that he was sadly killed when his Taylor Monoplane spun -in only a spot only a few yards away from where those Ercoupes had been parked a few weeks earlier.
Greenview
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Herts & Essex
Hi T
Prentice OKL is currently under restoration at Old Warden
Are you thinking of the fine imposed upon 'The Mad Major' for flying the Herts & Essex Auster G-AGYD under most of the Thames bridges in the 1950s.
Both the Frogley brothers died in the UK
John Chicken married Buster Frogleys daughter --- the airfield at Stapleford was/is stilled owned & run by them.
Greenview
Prentice OKL is currently under restoration at Old Warden
Are you thinking of the fine imposed upon 'The Mad Major' for flying the Herts & Essex Auster G-AGYD under most of the Thames bridges in the 1950s.
Both the Frogley brothers died in the UK
John Chicken married Buster Frogleys daughter --- the airfield at Stapleford was/is stilled owned & run by them.
Greenview
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Stapleford Tawney 1966/7
I did my ATC flying scholarship at Stapleford too. June 1966 - 26 hours on the Forney Aircoupe and 2 hours a piece on the Chipmunk and a Cherokee 140. Neville Browning did most of my training as did Ted Clack and Mike Kennedy share the other half. Eric Thurston did my final handling flight test. Neville took me on a cross country down to the Freeman's strip at Headcorn, Kent and we landed in a field nearby on the way back to get some fresh village bread for the Herts & Essex clubhouse. I bought a large custard tart which I balanced on my lap in the Aircoupe. Near the Stapleford circuit Neville spied someone he knew and took over and bounced the bloke in the Auster. Net result was a most unusual series of attitudes in an Aircoupe and bits of custard tart all over the place. Neville apologised and shouted me a flight in his Zlin to make amends. Now that put a tart to really good use! My best memory of Neville was his method of teaching spin recovery in the Chipmunk. After correcting the spin it was his preference to do a loop in order to not waste any of the excess speed from the dive. On my last flight with him in the Chippie I managed to hit my own slipstream on completing the loop. I got a bit cocky and shouted out it was perfect. His dry reply was "Now do one to the left". Priceless.
The following year I got a job with Thurston Aviation doing odd jobs around the place, including putting out the gooseneck flares for the night ops, where Eric would take I/R candidates for grand tours around Stanstead and other 'airways' places. At this time I was earning a few bob washing aircraft and helping in the hangars to keep my PPL hours current. One of the most delightful private owners was Marion Wilberforce who owned a lovely silver Hornet Moth. She had ferried all sorts of wartime aircraft in the ATA and took me up twice in it for cleaning and sprucing up her Moth. A really charming lady. Sometimes she would share an ale with Neville in the bar of the Herts & Essex, when young lads like myself would sit spellbound listening to two very special characters talk casually about early British aviation and their wartime fun. The barman was normally John Chicken who had married Roger Frogley's daughter Tania. Roger still lived on the airfield in his house next to Eric's hangar. I used to take Eric's German Shepherd 'Sabu' for a run now and again around the perimeter track looking for rabbits. I remember a crop spraying outfit along the right hand peri track - 'Laddy Marmol's? outfit maybe? Along the left in front of the Thorn lightbulb factory was the caravan I used to stay in next to the old Airspeed Horsa glider nose section. I wonder what ever happened to that? I recall in 1967 it (The Horsa) was used to shelter Bill ?'s (can't recall Bill's surname - he used to run the Link Trainer for Eric) dog's litter of pups. She was a black labrador called Quibber and her pups were a motley collection of black lab/German Shepherd, so Eric Thurston's dog Sabu was the likely suspect. Another character from that era was Tony Osbourne who amassed a collection of aircraft at Southend. He was a regular visitor to Stapleford in his Miles Hawk Speed Six. His beat ups were quite impressive.
That's all I can think of at present.
Barry Gillingwater, Auckland New Zealand (ex CPL).
The following year I got a job with Thurston Aviation doing odd jobs around the place, including putting out the gooseneck flares for the night ops, where Eric would take I/R candidates for grand tours around Stanstead and other 'airways' places. At this time I was earning a few bob washing aircraft and helping in the hangars to keep my PPL hours current. One of the most delightful private owners was Marion Wilberforce who owned a lovely silver Hornet Moth. She had ferried all sorts of wartime aircraft in the ATA and took me up twice in it for cleaning and sprucing up her Moth. A really charming lady. Sometimes she would share an ale with Neville in the bar of the Herts & Essex, when young lads like myself would sit spellbound listening to two very special characters talk casually about early British aviation and their wartime fun. The barman was normally John Chicken who had married Roger Frogley's daughter Tania. Roger still lived on the airfield in his house next to Eric's hangar. I used to take Eric's German Shepherd 'Sabu' for a run now and again around the perimeter track looking for rabbits. I remember a crop spraying outfit along the right hand peri track - 'Laddy Marmol's? outfit maybe? Along the left in front of the Thorn lightbulb factory was the caravan I used to stay in next to the old Airspeed Horsa glider nose section. I wonder what ever happened to that? I recall in 1967 it (The Horsa) was used to shelter Bill ?'s (can't recall Bill's surname - he used to run the Link Trainer for Eric) dog's litter of pups. She was a black labrador called Quibber and her pups were a motley collection of black lab/German Shepherd, so Eric Thurston's dog Sabu was the likely suspect. Another character from that era was Tony Osbourne who amassed a collection of aircraft at Southend. He was a regular visitor to Stapleford in his Miles Hawk Speed Six. His beat ups were quite impressive.
That's all I can think of at present.
Barry Gillingwater, Auckland New Zealand (ex CPL).
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Tiger G-ANKU
I am enjoying this thread about the Herts and Essex Aero Club. I also did my flying scholarship there in 1959 and went solo on G-ANKU and Neville Browning was my instructor. There was also a younger instructor there whose name I cannot remember. I was lucky enough to also get some free flying in the Hornet Moth which was owned by a family friend and also the Gemini. Has anyone got a picture of Tiger G-ANKU which I believe crashed in Ireland a few years ago and is now off the register.
I went on to join the RAF and retired as a Squadron Leader so I owe a lot to the clubs training. I also remember Eric Thurston as he used to let us taxi the aircraft over to the front of the club house first thing in the morning. I no longer fly as the eyesight is not so good but I am in Australia at the moment and my son has arranged a miclolight flight for me this Saturday, that will be my first.
I went on to join the RAF and retired as a Squadron Leader so I owe a lot to the clubs training. I also remember Eric Thurston as he used to let us taxi the aircraft over to the front of the club house first thing in the morning. I no longer fly as the eyesight is not so good but I am in Australia at the moment and my son has arranged a miclolight flight for me this Saturday, that will be my first.
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mikerhill
I am another who was lucky enough to learn to fly with Neville Browning at H & E in the early '60s.
There are so many wonderful stories about that wonderful man, and one I recall, similar to the one above, is worth repeating.
He took me up over the Essex countryside, and pulle the Aircoupe throttle, so I could practice a forced landing procedure.
I thought I was doing OK, and found a reasonable field, but with no smoke around I had to guess the wind. Got on finals, before Neville took control and we powered up again.
'Not bad' he told me, but asked why I chose a certain field, and not the one he pointed out. We swept down to inspect 'his' landing field, and I saw a thin strip of grass, with a windsock at one end.
It belonged to a farmer friend of his, and so we promptly landed, and walked accross to the pub in the village of Fyfield.
A quick half of bitter, and after collecting some stale bread for his courseing greyhounds, did a short take off procedure (needed to be), and we headed back to Stapleford, mission accomplished in every sense.
On the day of my 'first solo', he told me my landings were crap, but he got out anyway, and told me to do 1 circuit. If I saw the red light, do a full stop and park the aircraft. If I see a green light, go round again.
I did what I thought was a prettygood circuit and landing, but no light signals of any kind.
Obviously, I could not take off again, so a bit disappointed, I parked the aircraft, and went to the clubhouse, where Neville met me with a pint and a slap on the back.
'You are still alive then?', or words to that effect, and that was another milestone, done the Browning way.
I heard some time ago, that he died back in the 1970s while flying at an airshow.
Does anyone know if that is fact.
There are so many wonderful stories about that wonderful man, and one I recall, similar to the one above, is worth repeating.
He took me up over the Essex countryside, and pulle the Aircoupe throttle, so I could practice a forced landing procedure.
I thought I was doing OK, and found a reasonable field, but with no smoke around I had to guess the wind. Got on finals, before Neville took control and we powered up again.
'Not bad' he told me, but asked why I chose a certain field, and not the one he pointed out. We swept down to inspect 'his' landing field, and I saw a thin strip of grass, with a windsock at one end.
It belonged to a farmer friend of his, and so we promptly landed, and walked accross to the pub in the village of Fyfield.
A quick half of bitter, and after collecting some stale bread for his courseing greyhounds, did a short take off procedure (needed to be), and we headed back to Stapleford, mission accomplished in every sense.
On the day of my 'first solo', he told me my landings were crap, but he got out anyway, and told me to do 1 circuit. If I saw the red light, do a full stop and park the aircraft. If I see a green light, go round again.
I did what I thought was a prettygood circuit and landing, but no light signals of any kind.
Obviously, I could not take off again, so a bit disappointed, I parked the aircraft, and went to the clubhouse, where Neville met me with a pint and a slap on the back.
'You are still alive then?', or words to that effect, and that was another milestone, done the Browning way.
I heard some time ago, that he died back in the 1970s while flying at an airshow.
Does anyone know if that is fact.
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Neville Browning and his Zlin.
As a lad I remember his display at a SSFA Display at RAF Finningley. I was into jets, noise and size, not light a/c then, but I remember his display so it must have caught my eye.
One of his tricks was a bunt from a seemingly impossible height with the pull ( or should that be push) out just above ground level. No safety committees then.
My recollection is that at a subsequent display the ground rose up somewhat higher than usual with tragic results.
Sir George Cayley
As a lad I remember his display at a SSFA Display at RAF Finningley. I was into jets, noise and size, not light a/c then, but I remember his display so it must have caught my eye.
One of his tricks was a bunt from a seemingly impossible height with the pull ( or should that be push) out just above ground level. No safety committees then.
My recollection is that at a subsequent display the ground rose up somewhat higher than usual with tragic results.
Sir George Cayley
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Herts & Essex Tiger Moth G-AIDS in a tree
For photo and accompanying commemorative poem, see this from the Flight archive. The poem goes.....
To think that I should ever see
A Tiger Moth up in a tree..............
tiger moth | western air | 1951 | 1552 | Flight Archive moth tree
To think that I should ever see
A Tiger Moth up in a tree..............
tiger moth | western air | 1951 | 1552 | Flight Archive moth tree
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In the mid 70's Tiger Moth G-AIDS and Auster G-APLG were both stored in the workshop at SRV Motors, a garage which used to be opposite The Bell pub at Rettendon on the old A130.
I believe they were both moved to Southend airport probably early 1980's.
I believe they were both moved to Southend airport probably early 1980's.
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To Greenviewpark et al
I have a photo of the tiger IDS in my collection that I took during the mid late fifties and probably have one or two more, if anyone can supply a list of registrations, I will have a check through and sent a copy of the shots to one of you on email.
I cannot remember at the moment how to post to the thread, but its probably best sent to a private email anyway. There are a total of about 900 photos in the collection which I am still working on (scanning), but approx 300 are now up on abpic, go to www.abpic.co.uk enter Brian Doherty, chose photographer, then search. Please PM me if any match - there is no charge, I am not selling anything.
Mods - I hope that I am not breaking any rules with this - could you please PM me if there is a problem. Thank you.
Cheers Entaxei.
I have a photo of the tiger IDS in my collection that I took during the mid late fifties and probably have one or two more, if anyone can supply a list of registrations, I will have a check through and sent a copy of the shots to one of you on email.
I cannot remember at the moment how to post to the thread, but its probably best sent to a private email anyway. There are a total of about 900 photos in the collection which I am still working on (scanning), but approx 300 are now up on abpic, go to www.abpic.co.uk enter Brian Doherty, chose photographer, then search. Please PM me if any match - there is no charge, I am not selling anything.
Mods - I hope that I am not breaking any rules with this - could you please PM me if there is a problem. Thank you.
Cheers Entaxei.
Last edited by Entaxei; 30th Jan 2010 at 22:10. Reason: Spell
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Eric Thurston
Eric has been reading these threads with interest. He is now 90 years of age and still often up at Stapleford. He spends most of his time at his factories in Ongar - and goes to Stapleford most Saturday mornings to meet his old friends.
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Stapleford 1968
Good to hear that Eric Thurston is still with us. I did my flying scholarship in July 68 on Aircoupes and Cherokees, names in the log book are G.Calvert, Dilly Grey-Fisk and of course Mr T himself. I remember the caravan and the Horsa glider.
I remember having difficulty with the roundout and having a trip with Eric to sort it out..we bounced down the grass from left wheel to right wheel with himself saying...the ground is just here son, can you feel it....bounce, bounce.
I also remember Dilly flying in a bikini....ok cadet start checks....blank!
We did our spinning at Stanstead and I got to land the apache with Eric in the other seat. Wow!
I have found that G-ARHB the aircoupe I did my solo in is still flying and looking good too...
All the best to Mr T thanks for the memory
Andy Loosemore
I remember having difficulty with the roundout and having a trip with Eric to sort it out..we bounced down the grass from left wheel to right wheel with himself saying...the ground is just here son, can you feel it....bounce, bounce.
I also remember Dilly flying in a bikini....ok cadet start checks....blank!
We did our spinning at Stanstead and I got to land the apache with Eric in the other seat. Wow!
I have found that G-ARHB the aircoupe I did my solo in is still flying and looking good too...
All the best to Mr T thanks for the memory
Andy Loosemore
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G-ADMT, a Hornet Moth, was based there sometime around 1946-'47 (Wings over Nazeing by Leslie Kimm). The owner is listed in Kimm's book as being 'unknown'. Does anyone have any memories or information on this Moth being there?
Thanks,
Dave
Thanks,
Dave
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Eric Thurston etc
I remember Eric from his son,a delightful person who if I recall died tragically whilst young,they lived at Theydon Bois.
We had several parties at his house, and if we wanted to smoke we had to go outside!
Also remember Neville Browning,they had a farm at Stapleford which his brother John shared.
Neville used to drink in the King William pub at Chigwell,I lived a few doors away where we had a small automobile garage,this would all be in the early 60's.
Neville used to meet a BOAC pilot who flew 707's but I can't remember his name now.
I used to go to the Stapleford clubhouse and knew Johnny Chicken and Tania well,later I lived in a big white house at Lambourne End ,next to the aerial at the top of the airfield.
The Herts and Essex Auto Club still going strong and run car sprints at ex RAF Debden airfield several times a year.
Also remember going to car hillclimbs maybe late 50's, run on the perimeter track,where Laddy Marvell kept his aircraft,a Pilatus I think?
I used to fly in the 60's as a passenger ,pilot Alan Bennett, in an old Prentice,from Biggin Hill,we did the Anjou wine rally in it one year,quite an adventure.I wonder if it's the same Prentice.
I also flew in many others at the time and developed a real love for flying,now all these years later I got my PPL on my 63rd birthday.
Sorry if this is all a bit rambling,but good memories for me.
Lister
We had several parties at his house, and if we wanted to smoke we had to go outside!
Also remember Neville Browning,they had a farm at Stapleford which his brother John shared.
Neville used to drink in the King William pub at Chigwell,I lived a few doors away where we had a small automobile garage,this would all be in the early 60's.
Neville used to meet a BOAC pilot who flew 707's but I can't remember his name now.
I used to go to the Stapleford clubhouse and knew Johnny Chicken and Tania well,later I lived in a big white house at Lambourne End ,next to the aerial at the top of the airfield.
The Herts and Essex Auto Club still going strong and run car sprints at ex RAF Debden airfield several times a year.
Also remember going to car hillclimbs maybe late 50's, run on the perimeter track,where Laddy Marvell kept his aircraft,a Pilatus I think?
I used to fly in the 60's as a passenger ,pilot Alan Bennett, in an old Prentice,from Biggin Hill,we did the Anjou wine rally in it one year,quite an adventure.I wonder if it's the same Prentice.
I also flew in many others at the time and developed a real love for flying,now all these years later I got my PPL on my 63rd birthday.
Sorry if this is all a bit rambling,but good memories for me.
Lister