Sightings of Heath Parasol G-AFZE at Luton
 

Having recently rescued 'FZE from dereliction, I should like to discover more about its all-too-brief connection with Luton. Registered to SATC Roger Brimecombe in January 1966, it crashed there four months later. However, the intervening period is something of a mystery. How frequently was it flown from Luton? Where was it hangared? Does anyone remember seeing the accident and what exactly happened? The two images of it following the crash are well-known, but are there any others?

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....ca69fd69a0.jpg
You will find a photograph of this aircraft amongst others at Luton. Brimecombe Junior in cockpit, Senior behind.........AVIATION GOLDEN OLDIES - LUTON

Not sure if this hangar image taken at Luton: Credit NA3T.

The NA3T pic of 'FZE might be Fairoaks?

G-ARRP (the Cherokee in the background) was based at Fairoaks in 1962/63.

I believe G-AFZE was rebuilt at Fairoaks circa 1965.

Is it flying or are steps being taken to get it flying again please? Thank you


ou.

First Piper PA-28 Cherokee to be registered in Great Britain.
I noted the Heath Parasol at Blackbushe on 20 March 65....

Heath Parasol G-AFZE
 

The suggestions that the NA3T image might be Fairoaks are spot on. That was where it was based after Dennis Fry 'rebuilt' it (for the second time) in a more 'modern' paint scheme, with a subsequent first flight reported in Flight in March 1964. Blackbushe was only 13 miles away, just right for a short hop. Having succeeded, after several frustrating years, in prising it away from its last owner, 'FZE is awaiting yet another rebuild, without doubt its most extensive yet (and its fourth!) with Colin Essex in Coventry, once he's completed DH 53 'EBHX, following its fatal crash in 2012. Still unable to gain access to the aeroplane's logbook, details of any other sightings would be extremely helpful, not least to give some idea as to how frequently it was flown and the length of these flights. Although I've a fairly comprehensive range of photographs, there are certainly gaps and, in particular, it would be very interesting to know if it flew after the third rebuild, when it was hangared at Old Warden for a while in 1983-4. It was also based at RAF Cranwell in 1962, but no image has yet come to light.

Heath Parasol G-AFZE
 

Following the earlier posting seeking info on 'FZE whilst at Luton, any other sightings from the 60s and 70s would be extremely helpful. With no access yet to the aircraft's logbook and only details of flights from March 61 to May 62 available, this information would provide some indication of its use during that period. Equally useful would be evidence that it was flown whilst at Old Warden in the early 80s or at Redhill during 1985 or later.

Might be worth you asking the question on Flyer as well - pretty sure Michael P who posts on there flew one of Des St Cyrien's Pups so he may know something about it.