Hi,
I wondered if anyone had pictures, stories, information or anecdotes about the late Charles Church.
I remember as a boy he owned a collection of warbirds including P51, a nice green camo Spitfire, a Pilatus and tried to rebuild a Lancaster. He died flying in a Spitfire painted as D @ B.
The reason I raise this topic is I have now moved to Hampshire and find that under my stairs is the badge of Charles Church. So he was obviously part of the building industry. I also have Blackbush on my doorstep and wonder if he lived or was based near there.
Strange after all this time I’ve encountered the name again.
All the best,
Hampy.
By: The Blue Max - 13th March 2010 at 23:04
CC’s Mustang G-SUSY was purchased by much missed friend Paul Morgan and based at Sywell. Paul was tragicaly killed in his Sea Fury G-EEMV “Baby Gorrilla” in a landing accident at Sywell in May 2001.:(
By: DazDaMan - 13th March 2010 at 22:36
The Buchon was very likely G-HUNN (now N109GU in Texas).
One wonders what his collection would be like now if he hadn’t died so tragically. Spitfires, Hurricane, Mustang, Lancaster, Pilatus P2, Fairey Battle….!!!
By: mackerel - 13th March 2010 at 21:44
Hi all , in the 1980’s Charles Church also had a hanger on the Isle of Wight at Sandown Airport. I have a picture some where of his Mustang parked outside , also a buchon .
Steve
By: Flygirl - 13th March 2010 at 19:14
His building company is based in Camberley. He was heading for the Bushe when the crash happened, I was riding out nearby that evening. Very sad.
By: Peter - 13th March 2010 at 19:12
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=44892&highlight=charles+church
By: alanl - 13th March 2010 at 19:11
Hampy,I believe he made his money in the property building business and was one of the biggest house builders in the area,the company still exists I think.
He had Dick Melton,who was the Chief eng at BBMF for a number of years,before working for Doug Arnold at Blackbushe when he retired from the RAF.
Dick built a number of Spits for CC,the TR9 was a new build/conversion from a single seater I believe.
By: wieesso - 13th March 2010 at 18:52
only a painting
http://www.trevorstubleygallery.co.uk/images/other/charles_church.jpg
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March 13, 2010 at 6:15 pm