G-ADOE, the sole Gull Four Mk. III, ditched in the English Channel off Ferring, West Sussex, on 7 October 1947. It was then registered to G.Chappelle-Knight of Jersey. Does anyone have details of the circumstances in which it ditched; and how far off the coast it was when it did so; and what was its destination on this flight; and whether there were any fatalities; and whether the hull was recovered from the sea?
By: avion ancien - 16th October 2019 at 20:03
Oh well, I tried!
By: avion ancien - 13th July 2019 at 12:21
I’ll take that as a no, then!
By: avion ancien - 6th June 2019 at 14:21
Does anyone know if this crash was investigated by the AAIB and, if so, whether a report was published? No file relating to this aeroplane has yet been traced in the National Archives at Kew.
By: avion ancien - 1st February 2012 at 16:06
In relation to your question concerning Basil Hurle-Hobbs’ 1949 crash, I suspect that Planemike is your best bet for accidents in that neck of the woods, Paul.
I’ve yet to ascertain the identity of the passenger when G-ADOE ditched, but if it was Jean Parnell, in 1947 and 1949, then I suspect that when Basil Hurle-Hobbs next suggested to her that they go flying, she responded by expressing a preference to go by sea!
By: paulmcmillan - 1st February 2012 at 15:49
Basil Hurle-Hobbs is actually Lt Cmdr Basil Henry St. Andrew Hurle-Hobbs an ex FAA Pilot (he was involved in the action in Norway in 1940 flying Skuas in I believe 803 Sqn). He later purchased G-ALFS a Proctor 3 built in 1943 and registered to him on 18.2.49 this was ex-LZ697
Which is the plane he planned to fly from Gatwick to Kenya with actress Jean Parnell (herself an ex WRNS) which actually crashed in East Africa at Wadi Halfa, Egypt on 16th June 1949 (without injury or loss of life).
I wonder if his passenger in 1947 was the same lady ??
By: avion ancien - 31st January 2012 at 20:54
Thank you, Paul, for that additional information. It seems that I now have answers to at least two of my five questions!
By: paulmcmillan - 31st January 2012 at 17:20
Air Britain Archive No 2 1991 has the following
D.53 Built at Gravesend ss type D.2 Gull Four IIIB (Cirrus Major). Registered G-ADOE to North Sea Aerial and General Transport Co Ltd, Brough 24.8.35. CofA No.5044(TM) issued 30.8.35, effective 29.8.35, and renewed 18.7.36. Flown
in King’s Cup 6/7.9.35 by Fl Lt E.C.T.Edwsrds as “26”, retired at Belfast. Used as test bed for Cirrus Majors and raced by C. S. Napier. Registered to Blackburn Aircraft Ltd, Brough 11.12.36 (Cert.7530). CofA renewed 25.8.37.
Placed 17th in King’s Cup 2.7.38 flown by Fl Lt Edwards as “6”. CofA renewed 8.9.38 and 24.7.39. Surveyed for Impressment, Bristol, 1.9.39; allocated NAC.l but remained with owners as wartime communications sircrsft. CofA
extended to 27.3.41 (from 28.3.40?), noted 31.12.42 as “still on British Civil Aircraft Register”. CofA renewed 28.3.41, 15.5.42 and 3.3.44. Registered to Air Couriers Ltd, Bristol 5.3.45. Converted to Gull Four III (Gipsy Major), CofA renewed 22.3.46, 11.4.47. Registered to George Chappelle-Knight, Jersey 12.4.47 and ditched in the English Channel off Ferring, Sussex 7.10.47; pilot W.Basil Hurle-Hobbs and passenger rescued unhurt. Registration cancelled 27.11.47 as wfu.
By: avion ancien - 31st January 2012 at 16:34
Thank you, all those who took the trouble to read my request. I have some other avenues to pursue and I’ll post the results of these if they are positive.
By: avion ancien - 28th January 2012 at 16:10
Considering that G-ADOE was not ‘just your usual Gull’, I had hoped there might have been others with knowledge of its post-war career and its end. It was impressed in 1940 but, unusually, did not assume a military serial but continued to fly with its civilian registration for Blackburn, serving as a flying test bed for its Cirrus Major marks I and II engines. Does it ring any bells – however faint – with anyone?
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January 27, 2012 at 5:06 pm