Does anyone know if Alan Campbell-Orde’s log books survive?
This question is prompted by the Spotlight section of the new FlyPast (Feb ’14) in which it states “…. Whitley prototype K4586 first flew on March 17, 1936 from Baginton ……”.
In 1996, whilst still a Trustee of the Midland Air Museum, I was heavily involved in the ’60th anniversary of the Whitley’s first flight’ event. For the event local artist Ken Aitken (past employee of AWA) painted two Whitley portraits – one of a late mark Whitley (78 Squadron?) over Germany, the other of the prototype’s first flight. For this latter we researched where the first flight took place and, although I can’t lay my hands on my notes, I know that we concluded that the location was Whitley Aerodrome not Baginton.
Whilst it might be possible that the aeronautical press of the day reported the first flight, Test Pilot Alan Campbell-Orde’s log of the event would settle the question one way or the other. Any one know if they are still around?
Roger Smith.
By: RPSmith - 2nd January 2014 at 16:30
Thanks Elliot,
I know several of the early Whitleys were built at Whitley but when was the new Baginton factory finished? I wonder was it completed to a state whereby they could assemble K4586 and make it ready for it’s maiden flight in March, 1936.
More digging required.
Roger Smith.
By: Whitley_Project - 27th December 2013 at 18:02
Hi Roger – my records state that although mainly constructed at Whitley aerodrome, the prototype aircraft was completed at Baginton and the first flight took place from there as well.
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December 27, 2013 at 2:44 pm