Herts & Essex Aero Club
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Location: Billericay, Essex.
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Wings Over Nazing
Hello,
I was sorry to learn from your posting of the 9th. September 2009 that Les Kimm passed away in the previous month. I got to know Les only during the time he was researching his book. I was able to supply him with a little information on some old speedway riding friends of my parents who were members of the Essex and Herts Aero Club before the war. I do have the two volume account of the history of the Broxbourne Aerodrome that Les produced. The year before Les died I lent him a book on the DH60 Moth that was written by Stuart McKay of the DH Moth Club and Les still had this when he died. I would like to be able to get the book back but would hesitate to perhaps contact his widow. I do know where Les lived as I visited him on a number of occasions. As you were a friend of his I am wondering if you could give me some advice on what approach I should take in this matter. I will be grateful of any assistance you can give.
Ashwell
I was sorry to learn from your posting of the 9th. September 2009 that Les Kimm passed away in the previous month. I got to know Les only during the time he was researching his book. I was able to supply him with a little information on some old speedway riding friends of my parents who were members of the Essex and Herts Aero Club before the war. I do have the two volume account of the history of the Broxbourne Aerodrome that Les produced. The year before Les died I lent him a book on the DH60 Moth that was written by Stuart McKay of the DH Moth Club and Les still had this when he died. I would like to be able to get the book back but would hesitate to perhaps contact his widow. I do know where Les lived as I visited him on a number of occasions. As you were a friend of his I am wondering if you could give me some advice on what approach I should take in this matter. I will be grateful of any assistance you can give.
Ashwell
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Neville Browning
Hello Sir George,
Neville's accident was approximately 1968. He was performing at an airshow at one of the East Anglian USAAF bases. I think it was Bentwaters or Mildenhall but not too sure.
He started his show with a take-off, held it low for a while to build up speed then rolled inverted. He would have normally continued in this attitude (very low) down to the end of the runway before a push through and climb into the first half of an outside loop.
unfortunately on this day he experienced a total power failure inverted just above the runway and simply collided with the ground before he had a chance to do anything like recovering. He died instantly.
Barry
Neville's accident was approximately 1968. He was performing at an airshow at one of the East Anglian USAAF bases. I think it was Bentwaters or Mildenhall but not too sure.
He started his show with a take-off, held it low for a while to build up speed then rolled inverted. He would have normally continued in this attitude (very low) down to the end of the runway before a push through and climb into the first half of an outside loop.
unfortunately on this day he experienced a total power failure inverted just above the runway and simply collided with the ground before he had a chance to do anything like recovering. He died instantly.
Barry
I used to live around Broxbourne and there was an interesting story in the local paper back in the 70's.
It told of a German man who joined the Herts and Essex aero club as a student before the war and amazed the instructors with his aptitude. After the war it transpired that he had been a qualified pilot all along and was taking the opportunity to carry out illicit reconnaissance flights.
Unfortunately the story turned out to be total fantasy, but does anyone know how it started?
It told of a German man who joined the Herts and Essex aero club as a student before the war and amazed the instructors with his aptitude. After the war it transpired that he had been a qualified pilot all along and was taking the opportunity to carry out illicit reconnaissance flights.
Unfortunately the story turned out to be total fantasy, but does anyone know how it started?
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The Essex and Herts Aero Club
I have just come into possesion of a copy of " The Complete Flying Course" by N.Roy Harben D.F.C It was issued to a student named Lionel Gordon in May 1936.
It states that it was issued by " The Essex and Herts Aero Club " Broxbourne Herts.
The chief instructor is shown as Charles Spinks.
The insructor for Lionel Gordon was instructor number 4, Edward.R Martin.
The machine was a " Puss Moth "
I am not an aviator but I came across the posting regarding the Essex and Herts Aero Club.
At the same time I also aquired a book titled " British Air Forces " The Royal Airforce abd The Fleet Air Arm Completely Illustrated and Described Also Aeroplanes of The U.S.A., Germany and Italy, published by " The Illustrated London News 1941.
It states that it was issued by " The Essex and Herts Aero Club " Broxbourne Herts.
The chief instructor is shown as Charles Spinks.
The insructor for Lionel Gordon was instructor number 4, Edward.R Martin.
The machine was a " Puss Moth "
I am not an aviator but I came across the posting regarding the Essex and Herts Aero Club.
At the same time I also aquired a book titled " British Air Forces " The Royal Airforce abd The Fleet Air Arm Completely Illustrated and Described Also Aeroplanes of The U.S.A., Germany and Italy, published by " The Illustrated London News 1941.
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Neville Browning accident was at Seething airfield in Norfolk August 22 1971 in Zlin G-ASIM. He had also flown the Messenger in 633 Squadron film picking up an agent filmed in a field near Elstree.
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I have just come across this thread - so many memories and names from the past. I too completed my PPL at Stapleford Tawney on a Flying Scholarship in March 1964 - the start of a career in aviation whcih is still continuing though age must cease the commercial flying soon. The enthusiasm and dedication of the instructors there led me into a wonderful career in aviation.
Neville of course and also Malcolm Eggleton who I (much later) met when he had joined the CAA - I believe he left Stapleford to fly CL44's and B707 freighters before joining the regulator.
I will always remember the early morning arrival of the CFI (Neville) from his farm - (we cadets had to be there at daybreak) as you never know from whence or in what attitude he would arrive. Usually after some interesting airborne convolutions he would park either the Messenger or Zlin outside the clubhouse, let the Greyhound out for a pee and start business.
First solo - off you go Old Boy - don't break it please.
After PPL I took my father and Grandmother - Granny had never flown before - for a ride in the Cherokee having had a check ride and a lecture from Malcolm. Grandma loved it and subsequently we all went to Madeira on a holiday after my mother died - TAP L1649 Super Constellation to Porto Santo and a diversion to Las Palmas but that's another story.
Flew the Chippy and the Prentice as well as the Ercoupe and then got involved in Tigers at Biggin Hill and Denham - took the Tiger into Stapleford a couple of times.
I have lost count of the number of pilots I have since interviewed who have been checked out for their ratings by the great Eric Thurston; all of whom remember him with fondness.
My own recollection was his innate fondness for Baked Beans and their subsequent effect when airborne - If you read this forum Eric, I am away at the moment - home in March and will try to get to Stapleford on a Saturday morning.
Neville of course and also Malcolm Eggleton who I (much later) met when he had joined the CAA - I believe he left Stapleford to fly CL44's and B707 freighters before joining the regulator.
I will always remember the early morning arrival of the CFI (Neville) from his farm - (we cadets had to be there at daybreak) as you never know from whence or in what attitude he would arrive. Usually after some interesting airborne convolutions he would park either the Messenger or Zlin outside the clubhouse, let the Greyhound out for a pee and start business.
First solo - off you go Old Boy - don't break it please.
After PPL I took my father and Grandmother - Granny had never flown before - for a ride in the Cherokee having had a check ride and a lecture from Malcolm. Grandma loved it and subsequently we all went to Madeira on a holiday after my mother died - TAP L1649 Super Constellation to Porto Santo and a diversion to Las Palmas but that's another story.
Flew the Chippy and the Prentice as well as the Ercoupe and then got involved in Tigers at Biggin Hill and Denham - took the Tiger into Stapleford a couple of times.
I have lost count of the number of pilots I have since interviewed who have been checked out for their ratings by the great Eric Thurston; all of whom remember him with fondness.
My own recollection was his innate fondness for Baked Beans and their subsequent effect when airborne - If you read this forum Eric, I am away at the moment - home in March and will try to get to Stapleford on a Saturday morning.
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Broxbourne Aerodrome
Further to your post in 2006 did you receive many pictures of Broxbourne aerodrome?
My grandfather was employed there by Buster Frogley I believe during the war. My uncle Geoff was the first and possible only pilot to land a twin there. An Airspeed Oxford.
Would love any more info or even pictures?
Regards
Gavin
My grandfather was employed there by Buster Frogley I believe during the war. My uncle Geoff was the first and possible only pilot to land a twin there. An Airspeed Oxford.
Would love any more info or even pictures?
Regards
Gavin
Join Date: May 2013
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Twins at Broxbourne
From childhood memories of being an avid spectator at Broxbourne on Summer evenings, I'm sure there was often a DH89 Dragon Rapide flying there, although in retrospect it could have been simply a frequent visitor rather than based there. Chris.
Join Date: Dec 2013
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William Catton - Herts and Essex Aero Club - INFO
Would anyone have any pics or info on William Catton who was a member of the club in 1936, he lived at Dane Street, Bishops Stortfod and got his club licence on 14/3/1936 no 13669
He crashed a plane in Belchamp St Paul sometime after that time while trying to take off in a small field but didn't clear the trees and hedge....
Any info would be appreciated
best wishes
Ratrod Pilot
He crashed a plane in Belchamp St Paul sometime after that time while trying to take off in a small field but didn't clear the trees and hedge....
Any info would be appreciated
best wishes
Ratrod Pilot
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Tiger Moth G-AIDS
I have been the co-owner of ex-Herts & Essex Tiger Moth G-AIDS since 1981 and have only recently spotted this thread. It has had two major restorations during that time, the first from April 1981 to May 1984 and the second from November 2009 to July 2013.
Following the second restoration it was awarded the status of "Best Moth" at the 2013 LAA Rally. If anyone has photographs or log book entries for G-AIDS at any stage in its career I would be very grateful if you'd be prepared to share them with me so that I can add them to the the aeroplane's history portfolio.
Leslie Kimm and Harry Smith both provided us with photos and information on G-AIDS' early days with Herts & Essex at Broxbourne. Les did his first solo in the aeroplane and a painting of the event adorned the cover of the second volume of his work "Wings Over Nazeing".
Harry very kindly presented us with an album containing the complete set of photographs from its recovery after a coming together with a may tree at Broxbourne in June 1951. As recently as yesterday evening I met a chap who showed me his log book entry from June 1960 when he had flown the aeroplane at Stapleford.
To the best of my knowledge it was withdrawn from use there in August 1960 but if anyone has any more accurate information I'd love to hear from you. I've also been trying, without success to locate a photograph of G-AIDS in military service as T6055. Again, if anyone can help I'd be very grateful.
Following the second restoration it was awarded the status of "Best Moth" at the 2013 LAA Rally. If anyone has photographs or log book entries for G-AIDS at any stage in its career I would be very grateful if you'd be prepared to share them with me so that I can add them to the the aeroplane's history portfolio.
Leslie Kimm and Harry Smith both provided us with photos and information on G-AIDS' early days with Herts & Essex at Broxbourne. Les did his first solo in the aeroplane and a painting of the event adorned the cover of the second volume of his work "Wings Over Nazeing".
Harry very kindly presented us with an album containing the complete set of photographs from its recovery after a coming together with a may tree at Broxbourne in June 1951. As recently as yesterday evening I met a chap who showed me his log book entry from June 1960 when he had flown the aeroplane at Stapleford.
To the best of my knowledge it was withdrawn from use there in August 1960 but if anyone has any more accurate information I'd love to hear from you. I've also been trying, without success to locate a photograph of G-AIDS in military service as T6055. Again, if anyone can help I'd be very grateful.
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No photos I am afraid, but I did see G-AIDS at Stapleford Tawney on 6 August 1958 while I was on a qualifying cross country for my PPL. I was flying Tiger Moth G-ALTW from Marshalls, Cambridge.
Laurence
Laurence
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Tiger Moth G-AIDS
Sometime in the 50s Flight Magazine published a picture of G-AIDS after colliding with a tree along with an accompanying poem commencing "To think that I should ever see, a Tiger Moth up in a tree......."
I failed to locate this in the FlightGlobal Archive but it is reproduced together with more photos of the wreck and its recovery in the book Wings over Nazing mentioned earlier in this thread. This can be accessed via Google Books
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=...20tree&f=false
I failed to locate this in the FlightGlobal Archive but it is reproduced together with more photos of the wreck and its recovery in the book Wings over Nazing mentioned earlier in this thread. This can be accessed via Google Books
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=...20tree&f=false
Last edited by one11; 14th Jan 2015 at 14:17. Reason: Additional reference to thread
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G-AIDS in a tree
Many thanks for that. The Flight Global link is actually earlier in this thread. I have a full set of the photographs, they were taken by Harry Smith and referred to in his book "One foot on the Ground".
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G-AIDS at Stapleford
I do have a couple of photos of IDS which I took at Stapleford in the late 1950's, together with a number of other Stapleford residents at the time.
My technical expertise is not great, so I don't think I will be able to post them here but I will share them with you if I can.
Incidentally, I did see IDS flying over south Essex some years ago resplendent in silver with blue registration. If I recall, at Stapleford it was silver with green registration letters.
Co-incidentally, the Southend branch of the Royal Aero Society had a talk on Monday on the restoration of a Tiger Moth and I wondered if that was IDS and if so was that you giving the talk?
Cheers
Southender
My technical expertise is not great, so I don't think I will be able to post them here but I will share them with you if I can.
Incidentally, I did see IDS flying over south Essex some years ago resplendent in silver with blue registration. If I recall, at Stapleford it was silver with green registration letters.
Co-incidentally, the Southend branch of the Royal Aero Society had a talk on Monday on the restoration of a Tiger Moth and I wondered if that was IDS and if so was that you giving the talk?
Cheers
Southender
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G-AIDS at Stapleford
Ah yes, it was me giving the talk! The aeroplane has been in a colour scheme of midnight blue fuselage with white wings since 1984. The registration letters under the wings are in dark blue outline. If you take a look at the aeroplane's entry on G-INFO you will find me as one of the owners. I will try to send you a Private Message wth my e-mail address so we can liaise re the photos. Many thanks.
G-AIDS at Stapleford
From my logbook:
16 Apr 1958 Tiger Moth G-AIDS Self FIRST SOLO .10 mins
I still remember it, even though it wasn't actually my first - that
had been in a glider a year earlier.
My instructor was Neville Browning.
It was the start of a career in aviation.
16 Apr 1958 Tiger Moth G-AIDS Self FIRST SOLO .10 mins
I still remember it, even though it wasn't actually my first - that
had been in a glider a year earlier.
My instructor was Neville Browning.
It was the start of a career in aviation.