Auster crash, 1947

Wow one year to the day for question and answer.

still good to get these mysteries sorted

Old query resolved

My apologies for resurrecting this old thread but I have discovered the answer to the question of which Auster crashed when covering the 1947 Tour de France.

The answer can be seen here – http://www.loucrup65.fr/pgie0512.htm

G-AJIL was registered to Auster Aircraft Ltd. at the time of the accident and presumably that is why de Seversky, an Auster Co. agent, was the pilot.

The Auster was repaired and became F-BECZ surviving nearly 60 years before being reincarnated as F-PAFL last year.

I don’t know what the French equivalent of throwing a spanner in the works or cat amongst the pigeons would be

As to the former, at its simplest this would be “causer des problèmes” but better would be “cela nous a vraiment mis des bâtons dans les roues”. As to the latter, this would be “jeter un pavé dans la mare”. Literal translations would leave most French mystified – or “intrigué par….”!

I don’t know what the French equivalent of throwing a spanner in the works or cat amongst the pigeons would be but after some more research I am beginning to have doubts that the Auster in the 1947 Tour de France crash photo was G-AGXL.

1. The CAA register gives a cancellation date of 16.7.47 (destruction) for GXL. Reputable sources (eg Jackson/Ellison) show the date of 26.6.47 as “crashed in France”. I am unable as yet to determine the source of this crash date.

2. GXL was, according to the CAA register, a privately owned aeroplane.

3. The photo shows the crashed aeroplane during the 15th stage of the Tour de France that took place on 13.7.47 more than two weeks after the given date of the GXL crash.

4. The pilot of the crashed Auster is reported to have been Georges de Seversky who at the time was the Concessionaire for Auster Aircraft Co. in France.

The assumptions (dangerous I know) that I would make are that de Seversky would have been flying a company owned demonstrator for publicity purposes not just for L’Equipe but for the Auster Co. as well (though he did not appear to have made a good job of it!) and that two Austers crashed in France during the period that the 1947 Tour de France was in progress. A co-incidence I know but they do happen.

So the question I have to answer is “What was the identity of the 2nd aircraft?”

Laurence, I hope you can squeeze something out of L’Equipe archives!!

I think that it says “but CLUB” – literally “goal club”. But nowadays BUT is the name of a chain of furniture & electrical goods retailers. Maybe they were around as early as 1947 and were a team sponsor? All pure guesswork, because what I know about the Tour de France is not worth knowing!

…at the fuselage was written: L’EQUIPE “…L’Equipe’s spotter plane.”

BUT ET CLUB
Numéro spécial avant tour 1947
http://i.ebayimg.com/07/!Btlc8r!CWk~$(KGrHqMH-D8EvcgVzdDcBL8nLqTE(Q~~_12.JPG

Oh come, come. It was 1947 and there’s no evidence of US involvement!!!!!

Hmmm thats what I thought it said, I’m broad minded but really!!

I think that it says “but CLUB” – literally “goal club”. But nowadays BUT is the name of a chain of furniture & electrical goods retailers. Maybe they were around as early as 1947 and were a team sponsor? All pure guesswork, because what I know about the Tour de France is not worth knowing!

An intriguing item indeed, took the liberty of ‘lifting’ the attached image (Mods delete if deemed inappropriate).

Trying to make out the wording on the Auster’s flap? One for the ‘Le tour’ experts amongst us.
Also suprised to read that the teams used spotter planes, did not think the event was so cut-throat back then!

This is all very interesting! I have written to the archives dept of L’Equipe to ask if they have any details. I shall let you know if they respond.

Laurence

Laurence, you’re a star…look forward to hearing from you.

…sorry, took the easy way 😉

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_de_France_1947
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_der_Bergpreissieger_auf_dem_Col_du_Tourmalet

To quote my lifestyle guru and personal fitness trainer – Homer Simpson – ….doh ! Two lessons learnt by 91…don’t rush your research, and don’t overlook the obvious….
Thanks Wieesso.

This is all very interesting! I have written to the archives dept of L’Equipe to ask if they have any details. I shall let you know if they respond.

Laurence

Wieesso – where did you get your detailed information about the T-de-F stages from ? I have a couple of general books but not one with any great detail.

…sorry, took the easy way 😉

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_de_France_1947
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_der_Bergpreissieger_auf_dem_Col_du_Tourmalet

Thanks for your replies, gentlemen.
edskarf – my query was prompted by my purchase of the ‘Official Tour de France’ souvenir programme from W.H.Smith which has a much better print of the photo inside. I did find that web article you tagged and tried to include it in my original post, but when I tested before posting it wouldn’t open – you must have the magic touch. As to why a UK registered aircraft ? – perhaps availability in a war ravaged France is the key.
Laurence – the crash may not nescessarily have happened on the day of the Tourmalet stage. The fact that it’s shown by the roadside may mean they just hadn’t bothered to clear it away, why should they, the whole of France was probably still littered with wrecks from the war.
Mike – just to muddy the waters a bit, one website I looked at indicated G – AGXK as crashing in France 26.06.47 (and later crashing at Staverton in 1953). The alleged crash in France of Kilo is not recorded in the archive at G-INFO, I reckon it’s a clerical error on the website I visited.
Wieesso – where did you get your detailed information about the T-de-F stages from ? I have a couple of general books but not one with any great detail.
There’s an irritating lack of positive information about this, but I suppose that’s about par for the course in this sort of query (and my apologies for the mixed sporting metaphors)

Does this provide the answer or did this start the enquiry? It is certainly UK registered but why would L’Equipe hire a non local aeroplane?

http://le-grimpeur.net/blog/archives/61

But the 14th stage would not have been on 26 June. It would have been a couple of weeks later.

Laurence

Strikes me you have answered the question beyond reasonable doubt.

1947 Tour de France was started 25.06.47 Paris-Lille, 26.06.47 Lille-Brussel, and they climbed the Col de Tourmalet during the 14th stage.