On December 3, 1945, the prototype Hermes 1 G-AGSS c/n HP.68/1 tragically crashed soon after take-off from Radlett. Flt Lt James ‘Jamie’ Talbot, Handley Page chief test pilot, and E.A. ‘Ginger’ Wright, Handley Page test pilot were both killed.
The aircraft went into a violent switchback immediately after take-off, finally stalled, turned on its back and crashed at Kendalls Hall, 3 miles from Radlett aerodrome. The wreckage was destroyed by fire. The elevators had been seriously overbalanced making the aircraft uncontrollable.
My question is, are there any photographs extant of this aircraft before its first and fatal test flight? Such a photo would fill a gap in my private “First flights” catalogue.
By: avion ancien - 2nd June 2022 at 17:46
The accident date was still being incorrectly stated (as Sunday 3 December 1945) in the revised second edition (1973) of British Civil Aircraft 1919 – 1972. However it includes a photograph of G-AGSS on p. 248 of volume II.
By: paulmcmillan - 23rd May 2022 at 12:48
Date was Sunday 2nd Dec 1945 – not 3rd
British Civil Aircraft, 1919-59 – Volume 2 even has wrong date
Killed Flight Lieut. James Richard Talbot (35) #32133 , chief test pilot of the Handley Page Co.,
and Edgar Alexander ‘Ginger’ Wright (31). the Flight Test Observer
By: cestrian - 6th February 2006 at 21:58
Papa Lima;a photo appears on page 437 of the 1976 edition.
By: Papa Lima - 5th February 2006 at 23:40
I have the 1976 edition but can’t see any photo of G-AGSS – which page is it on?
By: cestrian - 5th February 2006 at 23:22
There’s a photo in ‘Handley Page Aircraft Since 1907’published by Putnam taken on Ist December 1945.
By: Papa Lima - 5th February 2006 at 22:20
Thank you, John, same to you!
By: Arabella-Cox - 5th February 2006 at 21:34
PL
Check your PM box
John
By: Papa Lima - 5th February 2006 at 21:24
Thank you, Brian I have had contact with that company before. However I am looking for a 1 inch square very low resolution image (about twice the size of the avatars on the Forum here) and their price is I am afraid too high – I must stress that mine is a purely private catalogue for my own enjoyment and use, and I have several thousand entries in it – getting commercial images for it would cost me several thousand pounds!
You may have noticed that I freely offer information from it to other Forum members, along with copies of my own personal photos.
By: bms44 - 5th February 2006 at 20:55
Hermes prototype G-AGSS
Papa Lima, this link should enable you to purchase a photograph of the ill-fated Hermes. I think the prices are fairly reasonable, unlike many agencies.
(I was recently asked for £46 for a digital A4 reproduction from another source. :confused: ) Hope this helps, regards, Brian
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February 5, 2006 at 8:05 pm