Can anyone help with identifying this aircraft?
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Can anyone help with identifying this aircraft?
Hi, whilst scanning some of my relatives old photographs I came across this photograph and I would really like to know what type of plane it is? I really hope someone can help. Thanks, Peter.
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Armstrong Whitworth Argosy 1926/7? Or some Handley Page machine - it has got those characteristic Handley Page LE devices.
Last edited by aviate1138; 12th Jan 2008 at 09:51. Reason: typo
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Thanks for all your help.
Hi Thanks for all your help in finding out what aircraft this was. I'm now pretty sure it is the de Havilland dH61 Giant Moth. G-AAEV named Youth of Britain it was used by Alan Cobham in an aviation promotional tour in 1929 of the United Kingdom. During the tour the aircraft carried 10,000 school children which were given free trips. The aircraft must of landed in the Manchester area at some-point so I think I will have to do a bit more digging to find out the aircrafts landing sites during 1929. Thanks again, Peter. 
I'm now pretty sure it is the de Havilland dH61 Giant Moth. G-AAEV named Youth of Britain it was used by Alan Cobham in an aviation promotional tour in 1929 of the United Kingdom.
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G-AAEV Youth of Britain
Peter, the aircraft is a de Havilland DH.61 Giant Moth G-EEAV (Youth of Britain) c/n 335 used by Sir Alan Cobham on his Africa tour in 1929/1930. It crashed at Broken Hill, N.Rhodesia on 19 January 1930.
From May to October Sir Alan Cobham flew to cities and towns throughout Britain in his De Haviland Giant Moth G-AAEV, ‘Youth of Britain’, in a campaign to convince local authorities of the need for municipal airports. It was a tour of heroic proportions in which 3,500 mayors and councillors and 10,000 scholl children were given free flights, sponsored by Lord Wakefield of Hythe, and 250,000 other joy flights were made. (Lord Wakefield of Hythe. A former Lord Mayor of London and Proprietor of Castrol Oil. A man with a large fortune and a zealous commitment to public service and upholding the prestige of the City.)
I have a great image of the aircraft at Nairobi in early January 1930 prior to leaving for the Cape. I am writing a book on the history of aviation in East Africa and would be also interested in any images you may have of this aircraft and other relevant aircraft. Email me and I will send you what I have.
Steve
From May to October Sir Alan Cobham flew to cities and towns throughout Britain in his De Haviland Giant Moth G-AAEV, ‘Youth of Britain’, in a campaign to convince local authorities of the need for municipal airports. It was a tour of heroic proportions in which 3,500 mayors and councillors and 10,000 scholl children were given free flights, sponsored by Lord Wakefield of Hythe, and 250,000 other joy flights were made. (Lord Wakefield of Hythe. A former Lord Mayor of London and Proprietor of Castrol Oil. A man with a large fortune and a zealous commitment to public service and upholding the prestige of the City.)
I have a great image of the aircraft at Nairobi in early January 1930 prior to leaving for the Cape. I am writing a book on the history of aviation in East Africa and would be also interested in any images you may have of this aircraft and other relevant aircraft. Email me and I will send you what I have.
Steve
A couple more items regarding the Youth of Britain Tour
FWIW. Sir Sefton Brancker, mentioned in the caption to photo 1 and in photo 3 was among those who lost their lives in the R101 airship disaster at Beauvais near Paris in early October 1930.
FWIW. Sir Sefton Brancker, mentioned in the caption to photo 1 and in photo 3 was among those who lost their lives in the R101 airship disaster at Beauvais near Paris in early October 1930.
Last edited by Warmtoast; 28th Jan 2008 at 23:12. Reason: Further info
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If 1929 the airfield may have been either Alexandra Park or Wythenshawe. The latter was a temporary municipal airfield opened in 1929 until Barton was completed (1930). Avro used Alexandra Park but I suspect flying activities stopped in 1924 when their AM lease expired.
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My Dad had his first flight with Sir Alan Cobham in the Giant Moth during this tour when he would have been 12. I believe it was at Edinburgh. I'm interested in the logistics of the tour, it must have been a punishing schedule but no doubt led to many youngsters taking an interest in flying (I wonder how many RAF WW2 pilots had their first taste of flight on this tour?) and also to the establishment of several airfields, Walsall I know was one.
Does anyone have any more info on the schedule (places and dates)?.
Does anyone have any more info on the schedule (places and dates)?.
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I'm sure my Dad said it was at Turnhouse (Edinburgh). If the tour took in 110 towns/cities it could well have visited both Bathgate and Turnhouse. Googling has revealed that he visited Westbank Farm near Lanark on the 5th July so presumably it was around then.
