In 1947 a handful of Fairey Swordfish aircraft were stored in a B1 hangar in the NW corner of RAF Bourn by Pest Control of Harston,Cambs. They were to be converted for spraying cotton crops and anti-malaria schemes in Africa. Would welcome any further information as to serials and demise. Presumably they were scrapped on site ? Source Michael Bowyers Action Stations Revisited
By: T-21 - 1st September 2017 at 22:24
Belated many thanks to everybodys replies and a big thank you to Duxman for the photograph but I am convinced the photograph was taken in South Africa not Bourn ? Pest Control was formed by Sir Guy Marshall and Dr Walter Ripper originally setting up offices in a disused garage near Hauxton Mill. Later in approx 1953/4 the company was taken over by Fisons. Dr Ripper was killed flying 21 March 1965 from Athens to Naples at age 57 in Cherokee G-ASLM . He operated Ripper Robots based at Cranfield operating Piper Pawnees for work in the Sudan .
By: Mothminor - 31st August 2017 at 22:10
Originally posted by avion ancien
That does conjure up a sight for sore eyes – a crop dusting stringbag!
In 1977 W5856 was bought by the Strathallan Collection from a New Orleans farmer who had purchased it to use as a crop-sprayer. He must have had second thoughts because he stored it away in his barn for the next 20 years instead!
By: Lee Howard - 30th August 2017 at 21:52
[Dons superhero cod-piece and star spangled cape….]
HS255 became ZS-BNU (subsequently destroyed in hangar fire in South Africa in 1952) and HS256 became ZS-BNV (broken up c.1953).
There a pic of one of them with SA registration on the fuselage. Pretty well known as it appeared in (I think) Air Britain News many years ago.
Nice pic Duxman – would love a copy!
Lee
[slips back into obscurity]
By: Duxman - 30th August 2017 at 21:36
I guess these are at least 3 of the airframes that are being referred to. Scan from a negative in my collection taken at Bourn probably n the late 40s to mid 50s. Unfortunately no details of identities.
Swordfishes at Bourn circa late 40s/50s by AJCDuxman, on Flickr
Duxman
By: avion ancien - 30th August 2017 at 21:01
Nil desperandum!
By: Consul - 30th August 2017 at 20:55
T21 I see you asked the same question of the Forum back in 2009. Hope someone can help this time.
By: Consul - 30th August 2017 at 20:36
“That does conjure up a sight for sore eyes – a crop dusting stringbag!”
Some were used in this way in Canada.
By: Wyvernfan - 30th August 2017 at 20:01
I should imagine Lee Howard would be your best port of call for anything to do with the Swordfish!
Rob
By: avion ancien - 30th August 2017 at 19:51
That does conjure up a sight for sore eyes – a crop dusting stringbag!
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August 30, 2017 at 5:58 pm