Imperial Airways Latest

Some info which I have not seen before, hope it’s of interest to all…and no, I don’t know the guy so it’s not a plug

Dear Sir/Madam,

As either somebody who has emailed us about an Imperial Airways related question in the past, or a previous member of Club Imperial, I am writing to tell you about the new developments on the HP42 replica and new IA museum that have occurred since the club ceased shortly after the death of my father. Even though things have been quiet on the surface, the last few years have been very busy and productive for everything Imperial Airways.

You may remember that we mentioned moving premises and starting up a larger concern elsewhere. Over the past 3 years this has now been achieved with our new base in Wiltshire, a stones throw from RAF Lyneham, and 15 minutes from Junction 16 off the M4. The base consists of a 1000 year old pub, which we have now turned into the countries only fully aviation themed pub and tea rooms. Some of my late father’s aviation collection fills the walls with over 200 paintings, pictures, propellers, tail rotors, tail fins, models, and even an ejector seat for the unwanted customers! This collection is increasing all the time. We also have many aircraft flying overhead, from civilian flying to many military aircraft and helicopters from bases such as Brize Norton, and exercises on Salisbury Plain. We are getting known within the aviation community and are becoming a meeting place for many likeminded people. For some images and further details please see: http://www.goddard-arms.co.uk

To the rear of the property is an old youth hostel which is being turned into the world’s first Imperial Airways museum. This is nearing completion and should be open this summer. The museum includes a main foyer in the style of the old Croydon Airport booking hall, complete with Imperial Airways ticket office, weather map, and newsagents kiosk. To one side of this is a shop, and the other side takes you into the bar area. Carrying on into the art deco museum, the first corridor shows the airlines that formed to become Imperial Airways. The second main corridor has a massive timeline covering important dates and events for the airline. Two rooms off this show the history of the airline, together with many original artefacts. The final larger room shows the style of the period and people who flew with the airline. Also housed here is a cross-section of an HP42 airliner for people to sit in, and an example of an earlier airliner for comparison. Finally details on our HP42 Project which has been keeping us very busy, will also be on show together with some airframe items.

We are asking for anyone with any reminiscences or information that may be able to be included in the museum (especially in our 1930s area showing the personal side of flying with Imperial Airways) to get in touch. We are also looking for anyone who has any items they may want to lend the museum for displaying. We have purpose built temperature controlled display cabinets for all items.

Our Imperial Airways website is http://www.imperial-airways.gb.com which has a section on the museum, the HP42 replica project, and the airline history. If you can help with the above information or artefacts, or would like to be kept informed about the museum, please send all your details to: [email]info@imperial-airways.co.uk[/email]

If you are not on the internet please send us a letter to the address at the bottom of this e-mail.

Please spread the word and get any interested parties to get in touch.

Regards,

Neil Farley, c/o The Goddard Arms, Wood Street, Clyffe Pypard, Swindon, Wiltshire. SN4 7PY