Ah, the Welsh Wooden Wings story.

Not far away from here in wild, North-west Wales, near the town of Pwllheli, there is a large estate, known as Broom Hall. Broom Hall is not far from Butlins. Mr Billy Butlin is known to have visited often in his own aircraft (sorry, I don’t know what type).

Ever the businessman, he introduced pleasure flights for the holidaymakers in DeHavilland Rapides operating from Broom Hall.

Back in the mid ’90’s, I was asked to have a look at a couple of wings in a shed at Broom Hall. The grounds were being revamped, and the buildings were being made habitable by humans, so the wings had to go. But at least someone had the foresight to contact the local airfield. Hence my visit.

Leaning against one wall were two wooden wings. Fabric long gone and with corroded metal fittings, but wood in beautiful condition. The channelled spars and leading edge slats made identification relatively easy. Into the back of my van they went.

For the last 15 years or so, they have resided in the museum at Caernarfon, one of them attached to the ‘Tiger Moth’.

One of my minor contributions to the preservation of aviation history.

camlobe