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Reply To: Anyone known the whereabouts of the Somer Kendall SK1 wing?

Home Forums Historic Aviation Anyone known the whereabouts of the Somer Kendall SK1 wing? Reply To: Anyone known the whereabouts of the Somer Kendall SK1 wing?

#1193195
jetprov
Participant

I had a fascinating conversation with Nat Somers some years ago, and the SK.1 came up during our talk.
Nat was a well known racer during the early 50’s with his Gemini. Also a member of the ‘Throttle Benders’ club, along with Ron Payne and maybe Fred Dunkerley (Miles Sparrowjet amongst many others). The SK.1 was the result of a collaboration between Nat and Hugh Kendall in around 53/4

I received a piccie of the SK.1 fuse from Nigel at Breighton via Peter Amos and sent it down to Nat, who was suprised that it had survived. He was led to believe it had been destroyed by fire during an engine failure on the ground. Maybe the wings were lost at this time.

Nat was a canny business man and had a reputation for being difficult. I always found him a fascinating and an enthusiastic gent. I had the pleasure of being flown down to his home on Jersey on a number of occasions to gather anecdotes etc with a view to putting together a biography. Sadly Nat died in 1990 with very little (printable) work done.