Suggestions welcome
London-Melbourne 1934 Air Race ,won by CWA Scott and Tom Campbell Black,in 71 hrs,flying DH Comet G-ACSS `Grosvenor House `. Aircraft is now at Old Warden,,,
Race started at Mildenhall,
Race started at Mildenhall,
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
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If that's Tom Campbell-Black's original signature, might have some value?
Great thread, sad that there aren't that many more... I love a challenge; and to be educated!
Great thread, sad that there aren't that many more... I love a challenge; and to be educated!
And, just in case it's not obvious to everyone, that's certainly a DH.88 Comet and presumably G-ACSS behind them as I guess the race was about to start.
The aircraft is airworthy at Old Warden, although with some substantial replacement components during the restoration some years ago. As it's now 84 years old that sounds pretty reasonable.
I've got a copy of "Scott's Book" around somewhere, written just after the race. An author he wasn't...
The aircraft is airworthy at Old Warden, although with some substantial replacement components during the restoration some years ago. As it's now 84 years old that sounds pretty reasonable.
I've got a copy of "Scott's Book" around somewhere, written just after the race. An author he wasn't...
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Paxing All Over The World
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Most interesting, thanks folks. Unfortunately, the original photograph went with other items after my father died.
Paxing All Over The World
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This should have been earlier as is the last of the Stinson pics, showing a delivery at Croydon for final assembly. Which docks were used I have no idea, could have been Southampton or Tilbury, all tied down with ropes!
Paxing All Over The World
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In the picture of the Stinson in a crate, there is a machine in the hangar visible under the vehicle. I have zoomed and adjusted the scan but no reg is visible. As to the type? Suggestions Welcome!
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Even the crate (and the lettering) is a thing of beauty! 
Aircraft is either a Puss Moth or a Leopard Moth I'd say.
Aircraft is either a Puss Moth or a Leopard Moth I'd say.
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DH 85 Leopard Moth. It's similar to the Puss Moth, but you'll notice that the undercarriage strut attaches just below the cockpit window level. The Puss Moth's is attached near the wing root.
Paxing All Over The World
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I do not have the location or a date for these. Could be The Great Western Aerodrome, or heston or Croydon. They would have been significant for my Grandfather as he flew this type in WWI as RFC.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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They are Avro Avian IVMs: 'CV was sold abroad in December '34. 'VM crashed in December '34, was rebuilt and eventually cancelled in December '46.
The Avian first flew in 1926.
Gas holder in background again suggests Heston.
The Avian first flew in 1926.
Gas holder in background again suggests Heston.
Paxing All Over The World
Thread Starter
Hhmm, very interesting. I said that my Grandfather flew them but that's because they are listed (to me) as SE5a!! That said, he flew many types. I greatly appreciate the information.
Paxing All Over The World
Thread Starter
Now a small curiosity. My grandfather made a delivery trip to Vienna (type unknown) and sent this postcard to his parents in Oxted, Surry, dated 21st November 1938 in Wien.
"Had a great trip out to Vienna. New owner delighted with his new toy. Leave here Tuesday for Prague, hope to be home Wednesday. Love to you both, Brian."
He did not travel on the Hindenberg but, evidently, flew home from Prague to Croydon - any suggestions with which carrier and in what??
Could have been either CSA or CLS - both operated to Croydon and had a variety of types in their fleets in the mid/late 1930s: Fokker F.IX, Fokker F.VIIb, Douglas DC-2/DC-3, Savoia-Marchetti SM73.