Flying under Thames bridges
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Flying under Thames bridges
Has anyone any pics. of the 'Mad Major' flying Auster J/1 'Alpha' G-AGYD (belonging to Herts & Essex Aero Club Broxbourne,) under the Thames bridges, I recall one being published of her going under Westminster Bridge.
This A/C is being restored in Norfolk.
Dusty
This A/C is being restored in Norfolk.
Dusty
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This subject has been discussed at least twice before on here, and I would suggest that you use the very good PPRuNe search button to find them
One, I think, did have a picture of the Auster flying under the Westminster bridge.
It would be of interest too to have a pic or two of the restoration. Anyone?
One, I think, did have a picture of the Auster flying under the Westminster bridge.
It would be of interest too to have a pic or two of the restoration. Anyone?
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Auster under Thames bridges
This subject has been discussed at least twice before on here, and I would suggest that you use the very good PPRuNe search button to find them
One, I think, did have a picture of the Auster flying under the Westminster bridge.
It would be of interest too to have a pic or two of the restoration. Anyone?
One, I think, did have a picture of the Auster flying under the Westminster bridge.
It would be of interest too to have a pic or two of the restoration. Anyone?
I too would like to find out more on her restoration.
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I would also like very much to see a picture of G-AGYD flying under the bridge. I had my first ever flight in an aircraft in 'YD sometime in the late 60's early 70's from Compton Abbas airfield.
I have searched all 16 pages in the thread posted above but have failed to find the pictures.
Hoping someone can oblige or point me in the right direction
LT
I have searched all 16 pages in the thread posted above but have failed to find the pictures.
Hoping someone can oblige or point me in the right direction
LT
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Le Tirer
I can solve the mystery of the missing pictures, but it's not good news.
A few years ago, I posted pictures of the 'Mad Major' flying under various of the Thames bridges, and also scans of his Summons to attend Bow Street magistrates court and the subsequent order to pay a fine. (I can't now remember in which thread or forum I posted them.)
They were links to images posted on an American aviation website (not a bulletin board) by someone who, if I remember correctly, said he was a descendant/nephew. The links haven't worked for some time and, unfortunately, I didn't download copies to my hard disk.
Here's a picture of Major Draper at Tower Bridge. Not as impressive as the pictures of him flying under the other bridges where he was, of course, much lower.
It's also much smaller and a more distant shot than the others, but it's the best I can offer.
Tudor
I can solve the mystery of the missing pictures, but it's not good news.
A few years ago, I posted pictures of the 'Mad Major' flying under various of the Thames bridges, and also scans of his Summons to attend Bow Street magistrates court and the subsequent order to pay a fine. (I can't now remember in which thread or forum I posted them.)
They were links to images posted on an American aviation website (not a bulletin board) by someone who, if I remember correctly, said he was a descendant/nephew. The links haven't worked for some time and, unfortunately, I didn't download copies to my hard disk.
Here's a picture of Major Draper at Tower Bridge. Not as impressive as the pictures of him flying under the other bridges where he was, of course, much lower.
It's also much smaller and a more distant shot than the others, but it's the best I can offer.
Tudor
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 27th Jan 2007 at 15:05.
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Tudor ,
Isn't that a shot of Chris Draper going through Tower Bridge the first time with the Puss Moth pre war?
I seem to recall that in a report that time the Police pointed out the severe damage that the aircraft could have done to the bridge.
For the later exploit he was adamant in a subsequent discussion in the 60's that he could have taken a formation of three Austers through safely.
Isn't that a shot of Chris Draper going through Tower Bridge the first time with the Puss Moth pre war?
I seem to recall that in a report that time the Police pointed out the severe damage that the aircraft could have done to the bridge.
For the later exploit he was adamant in a subsequent discussion in the 60's that he could have taken a formation of three Austers through safely.
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Yes, it is. I thought I'd offer something as small compensation for forgetting to save the other pictures to disk.
It's a scan of a postcard showing him flying under Tower Bridge in September 1931. He had his licence suspended for that.
The writing on the picture says 'C. Draper 30th September 1931', and written on the back is 'Given to E. T. Cherry on 17th June 1933 by Major C. Draper (Himself)'.
As for his assertion that he could have taken a formation of three Austers through safely in the later exploit, I think he's right. They'd be able to see if there were any boats/barges coming the other way towards the bridges.
greenviewpark
An idea which may help your research into the Auster -
He wrote an autobiography: The Mad Major, by Major Christopher Draper which was published in 1962.
I recently found one on the internet, but it hasn't arrived yet so I don't know if it contains any pictures of the Auster flying under the bridges.
I hope it does, but even if not, I assume he's bound to have related the exploit in it, especially as he ended up in court.
Now that's a case I would have considered it an honour to do for nothing if I'd been at the Bar in those days!
FL
It's a scan of a postcard showing him flying under Tower Bridge in September 1931. He had his licence suspended for that.
The writing on the picture says 'C. Draper 30th September 1931', and written on the back is 'Given to E. T. Cherry on 17th June 1933 by Major C. Draper (Himself)'.
As for his assertion that he could have taken a formation of three Austers through safely in the later exploit, I think he's right. They'd be able to see if there were any boats/barges coming the other way towards the bridges.
greenviewpark
An idea which may help your research into the Auster -
He wrote an autobiography: The Mad Major, by Major Christopher Draper which was published in 1962.
I recently found one on the internet, but it hasn't arrived yet so I don't know if it contains any pictures of the Auster flying under the bridges.
I hope it does, but even if not, I assume he's bound to have related the exploit in it, especially as he ended up in court.
Now that's a case I would have considered it an honour to do for nothing if I'd been at the Bar in those days!
FL
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He wrote an autobiography: The Mad Major, by Major Christopher Draperwhich was published in 1962.
I recently found one on the internet, but it hasn't arrived yet so I don't know if it contains any pictures of the Auster flying under the bridges.
I hope it does, but even if not, I assume he's bound to have related the exploit in it, especially as he ended up in court.
Now that's a case I would have considered it an honour to do for nothing if I'd been at the Bar in those days! !
He did the second flight as a protest against "ageism" in employment of course: I think he was 62 at the time. He came and stayed with my family for Christmas 65(?) and showed us the film from the Auster on the Boxing Day. Happy Times!
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Extracts from "The Mad Major" by Major Christopher Draper DSC
greenviewpark
Here are the pictures from the book mentioned by F/L.
Before
During
The (not so) surprising result!
F/L if your book doesn't turn up p.m. me you are welcome to my copy
W
Here are the pictures from the book mentioned by F/L.
Before
During
The (not so) surprising result!
F/L if your book doesn't turn up p.m. me you are welcome to my copy
W
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Thanks to Flying Lawyer and Wunper for your efforts.
Do I take it from the picture taken at Broxbourne just before take off that the aircraft involved was not actually G-AGYD? It looks like G-AJ??
Dave
Do I take it from the picture taken at Broxbourne just before take off that the aircraft involved was not actually G-AGYD? It looks like G-AJ??
Dave
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Slight thread creep and apologies if it deserves a new thread altogether. Having read about 'The Mad Major' it got me thinking as to who was the first to fly 'under or through?'
I've come up with this short (5seconds) video of Charles Godefroy flying through the Arc de Triomphe in 1919.....genuine article I think, unless you know better........and wondered if there is any record of any pilot doing the London bridges any earlier than 1919??
TAKEOFF TUBE: Charles Godefroy Flies Through the Arc de Triomphe Aviation Videos, Take Off Videos
I've come up with this short (5seconds) video of Charles Godefroy flying through the Arc de Triomphe in 1919.....genuine article I think, unless you know better........and wondered if there is any record of any pilot doing the London bridges any earlier than 1919??
TAKEOFF TUBE: Charles Godefroy Flies Through the Arc de Triomphe Aviation Videos, Take Off Videos
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As for " loving to see & hat's off " etc, re. Flying a Hunter through Tower Bridge, it's probably a schoolboy taunt but I'll bite.
The chap carrying it out was Al Pollock, his reason being a personal protest about the way defence cuts were going.
I happen to think he was being selfishly stupid, risking a lot of lives on the bridge who were not involved in his argument...
If you visit Tangmere, West Sussex, Military Aviation Museum they have a 'simulator' or two with this 'Tower Bridge' program ( sic ) ready to go, at the risk of no-one - which is about how I'd have suggested the esteemed Mr.Pollack should have done it, even if he'd had to wait a few years !
As it was I received a lot of flak from 1960's pilots saying " grand job "; in fact considering bridge & aircraft span it's not grand at all, but risking a lot of unwilling participants - but no-one even tried to defend the figuring in of people on the bridge etc.
I will not be replying to this mail, and any sub-heroic replies will be up to you to determine their degree of madness !
DZ
The chap carrying it out was Al Pollock, his reason being a personal protest about the way defence cuts were going.
I happen to think he was being selfishly stupid, risking a lot of lives on the bridge who were not involved in his argument...
If you visit Tangmere, West Sussex, Military Aviation Museum they have a 'simulator' or two with this 'Tower Bridge' program ( sic ) ready to go, at the risk of no-one - which is about how I'd have suggested the esteemed Mr.Pollack should have done it, even if he'd had to wait a few years !
As it was I received a lot of flak from 1960's pilots saying " grand job "; in fact considering bridge & aircraft span it's not grand at all, but risking a lot of unwilling participants - but no-one even tried to defend the figuring in of people on the bridge etc.
I will not be replying to this mail, and any sub-heroic replies will be up to you to determine their degree of madness !
DZ
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There is a reference in the article below to a Lancaster bomber flying under Tower Bridge during World War II. The pilot was Lighton Verdon-Roe (son of Sir Alliott Verdon-Roe famous for 'AVRO')
However I am a bit dubious of the truth behind that claim.
When compared to the other aircraft that achieved this feat a Lancaster has a much larger wing span and would be a lot less manouverable.
More worryingly flying under that bridge during wartime would carry far greater risks. One could be shot down by one's own ground defences or one could could get tangled up with the many barrage balloons that protected that part of London.
However I am a bit dubious of the truth behind that claim.
When compared to the other aircraft that achieved this feat a Lancaster has a much larger wing span and would be a lot less manouverable.
More worryingly flying under that bridge during wartime would carry far greater risks. One could be shot down by one's own ground defences or one could could get tangled up with the many barrage balloons that protected that part of London.
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Every so often somebody brings up yet another story of an aircraft flying under Tower Bridge.
This time it is a LANCASTER!!
This is what it says about Townsend:
Under or over i.e. between the towers, the span is 200 feet.
The Lancaster has a span of 102 feet. Wheels up it is about ??
Whatever, the margin for error is 49 feet either side and I don't buy it. If its critical for a Hunter..........................it would be a great story but safe to say Tower Bridge is still there!
Where would the approach be from? London Bridge - no way. From the east? How would it climb to clear London Bridge?
Where is the evidence? Some hard worked guys swinging the lamp?!
April fools has just gone!!
This time it is a LANCASTER!!
This is what it says about Townsend:
With Bomber Command’s losses, never knowing whether today was to be your ‘last day’ meant that flight crew enjoyed themselves in ways not to be encouraged in peacetime. On one occasion, Lighton, with Eric on board, flew a Lancaster under Tower Bridge, London. On a second occasion, he flew the aircraft – banked, it wouldn’t have got through otherwise - between brickwork chimneys in Peterborough.
The Lancaster has a span of 102 feet. Wheels up it is about ??
Whatever, the margin for error is 49 feet either side and I don't buy it. If its critical for a Hunter..........................it would be a great story but safe to say Tower Bridge is still there!
Where would the approach be from? London Bridge - no way. From the east? How would it climb to clear London Bridge?
Where is the evidence? Some hard worked guys swinging the lamp?!
April fools has just gone!!
Quote from PPRuNe Pop:
Where would the approach be from? London Bridge - no way. From the east? How would it climb to clear London Bridge?
Errr.. Easing back on the control column, perhaps, rather like 617 Squadron's chaps?
Where would the approach be from? London Bridge - no way. From the east? How would it climb to clear London Bridge?
Errr.. Easing back on the control column, perhaps, rather like 617 Squadron's chaps?