Sorry – this is a cut & paste from another thread to which I’ve contributed. Probably because of its title, it did not receive a response to the question. So I hope that you’ll all forgive me for re-instating it under this new banner. The original post was:
In ‘Miles Aircraft since 1925’ Don Brown recounts the tale as follows:
“The end of the Satyr was unusual and dramatic. One day in September 1936 Mrs Victor Bruce was approaching to land in a small field and, at the last moment, when it was too late to take evasive action, she noticed a large mass of telephone wires dead ahead, so close that there was no time either to climb or dive under them. Thinking what bad luck it would be on all the people whose telephones would be disconnected, she sailed on gaily into the wires expecting to go straight through them. However, she had overlooked the number of wires and the low momentum of the little Satyr. Instead of passing through the wires and landing in the field, the wires stretched but did not break. In a matter of seconds the Satyr was stopped dead in the air and then catapulted backwards into the field over which it had just flown. It was all over in a flash. Mrs Victor Bruce was unhurt but it was the end of the Satyr. This must be one of the few instances in which an aeroplane has landed backwards, although not very successfully.”
and subsequent to this was:
I’ve just finished reading the autobiography of the Hon. Mrs Victor Bruce (‘Nine Lives Plus’) which, unsurprisingly, deals with the demise of the Satyr – or was it? Both Don Brown (‘Miles Aircraft since 1925’) and A.J.Jackson (‘British Civil Aircraft 1919-72’) suggest that the Satyr was destroyed when Mrs Bruce crashed it in August or September 1936. However Mrs Bruce suggests otherwise. In her autobiography, of the circumstances of the crash (“on the green outside Stafford”) she says:
“Suddenly there was an almighty crash. I thought that I had hit one of the houses, because the noise was terrific. Then I realised that I had flown into the telephone wires. The Satyr and I must have remained hanging inthe wires for at least half a minute. Then the wires gave way and we fell fifteen feet to the ground with a bang”.
She goes on to say that:
“The Satyr, of course, was badly damaged…………..”
and then:
“While the Satyr was being repaired I hired a Gipsy Moth to take its place in the show……….”.
So did the Satyr survive the crash; and was it repaired; and, if so, what was its ultimate fate? Any suggestions, anyone?
By: paulmcmillan - 3rd August 2021 at 12:31
Indications are the incident that killed him may have been 6th August 1936
https://www2.statsbiblioteket.dk/mediestream/avis/search/William%20Yama…
I do not have a Danish login to check the newspapers but the dates give indication
By: paulmcmillan - 3rd August 2021 at 12:23
William Nobuyuki Yamamoto Born 1915 Address C/O Japanese Consulate Arrived UK 8 July 1936 Plymouth, England
NAME: William Nobuyki /Nobuyuki Yamamoto
BIRTH: 1914 – Tokyo, Japan
By: paulmcmillan - 2nd June 2016 at 15:51
BTW “W N Yamamoto” aged 22 is I believe
(according to Find My Past)
Died age 22 in 1936 means born 1914
Yamamoto Nobuyuki Wm 1914 — 1933 California, San Francisco Passenger Lists,
Wm is usually William
Ancestry has Arrival record within period
UK, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960
Immigration & Travel
Name: William Yamamoto
Birth: year
Departure: location
Arrival: date – Plymouth, England
By: paulmcmillan - 2nd June 2016 at 15:41
Dr Ellin kindly replied (posted below with permission) and states the last paragraph of report says ‘body sent back to Japan’
“
In answer to your query, I teach aircraft design at Teesside University and, as an exercise in improving my skills and with an interest in older aircraft, I decided to see if I could reverse engineer the Satyr working from the photographs of the aircraft that exist and a knowledge of the influences Frederick Miles would have experienced at the time he designed it. I have been looking into the Satyr on and off for the last 4 years and have finally got to the stage that I feel that I know the aircraft sufficiently well that the only reason not to start building a replica would be if I never intended to. The lack of a suitable powerplant has long been an issue as Pobjoy Rs are both in short supply and relatively unreliable. The recent availability of the Verner 5 cylinder 80 hp radial has presented a potential solution here though it will probably need a 3 bladed rather than 2 bladed propeller.
As much as I searched, I could not find any drawings of the aircraft with all leads running cold but I did find some contemporaneous drawings by Basil Henderson (who did the drafting on the Southern Martlett for FGM) and they have certainly helped. The drawings I am using have therefore been developed from scratch and in the knowledge that the 3 view drawing in Lukins’ book of Miles aircraft, although broadly accurate, does contain some errors, as does the Janes All the World Aircraft entry on the Satyr. My aim is to get the drawings sufficiently accurate in detail that no one can call be a liar! The image attached gives some idea of what I have been doing.
Although I have started building, please do not expect any early completion as I have to fit this activity round the day job and other family commitments. I currently have one side of the forward fuselage in a jig and am building the first of the ribs for the lower wing in another. When I have something worth looking at in the flesh, I will take some photos and send them to you.
As far as the demise of the original is concerned, I am not sure what you have seen. In addition to the newspaper article, I have also found record of the aircraft in the official report on the 1936 Olympic Games; the article did mention that the aircraft was engaged in flying associated with the games which prompted me to look.”
[ATTACH=CONFIG]246298[/ATTACH]
By: paulmcmillan - 2nd June 2016 at 11:56
“Perhaps the only details left for query are why was the unfortunate Mr Yamamoto on his way to Stockholm, and was this gentleman interred in Denmark?”
The date of he official Olympic games in 1936 were 1st August 1936 to 16th August 1936 and prior to that there was an International Air Rally
The news report says “He was taking part in the Olympic flying and had started from Hamburg yesterday morning to fly to Stockholm.”
I think this statement is wrong as in the Olympic Report it says
“As a close to the International Air Rally, the German Aero-Club arranged flying tours together
with the foreign amateur fliers from August 5th to 8th to Silesia, from August 9th to 11th to
the Baltic Sea, and from August 11th to 14th to South Germany. These flights, in which many
nations participated, contributed their part towards fostering mutual comradeship.
All of the participants in the Air Rally shared the wish to make such gatherings a definite part
of the Olympic Games because the constant advancement in the conquest of the air is progressing
rapidly from Olympiad to Olympiad and new revelations will be forthcoming at each
Festival.”
Maybe Yamamoto just decided that while he was in Europe at the time he would just have a tour of Scandinavia.
I assume he is buried at Catholic St. Annes Church at Amager (near Copenhagen) as per newspaper article
http://www.saintanneschurch.dk/
I have sent the church an email to se if they know
Also now we know the date of the accident (and can now confirm it) we can see it mentioned here (translated by Google)
“August 7, 1936 plunges a small sports plane vertically down immediately after takeoff in Kastrup and so it was bad. Again attended William Falck emergency personnel. Falck had upon receipt of the message no ambulances at its Amager station, and instead sent ambulances from the main station in Vesterbro, which udrykningen was delayed. The airport traveled afterwards criticism that Falck had called ZR, which had station in Hollænderdybet on Amager, which William Falck stated: …. I can not see rather than that it must be the airport that alerts Zone Rescue Company. We can not have any obligation to do so … 7J). This was the Falck policy and it backfired: October 14, 1933 mentions Lolland-Falster Folkeblad in critical tones that Falck in Maribo failed to summon ZR in Maribo to a fire that Falck due. Other tasks could turn out to why Falck instead let summon Falck from Nykøbing F. and Nysted. Falck’s station manager in Maribo refused afterwards to “
By: longshot - 1st June 2016 at 20:44
A google search Yamamoto Miles Satyr 1936 brings up a Pdf report on the 1936 German Olympics which around p1160 tables the results of an Aviation competition ending on July 31st with Yamamoto listed 4th from last (suggesting he’d completed the competition, but had he?). Some flying deaths are recorded but not his.
http://library.la84.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1936/1936spart6.pdf
The Kenyon Collegian headline story pdf is here
http://digital.kenyon.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2743&context=collegian
The Satyr crash sounds like a classic stall surely?
Solved!
Posted today on Air Britain Information Exchange:-
“The fate of the original Miles aircraft has often been the subject of question but, from a most unexpected source, Peter Amos has finally established what happened, courtesy of Dr Alex Ellin of Teesside University, Middlesbrough – who is building a replica.
The Kenyon Collegian, the newspaper of the Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio published the following on December 8 1936. ‘The Collegian has been awaited of this information from foreign newspapers concerning the death of WN Yamamoto, a member of the Kenyon Flying Club.’ The article went on:
“Again yesterday there was a fly accident and it took a young man’s life. The accident occurred at Kastrup Airfield yesterday morning at 11.24 (Aug 1 1936), where a 22-year old Japanese, WN Yamamoto fell to the ground from a height of 100 meters as starting for Stockholm. The young Japanese was badly crushed and died at 6 o’clock at Sundby Hospital. The young Japanese came to Copenhagen yesterday morning en route to Stockholm. He was taking part in the Olympic flying and had started from Hamburg yesterday morning to fly to Stockholm. His machine, an English “Satyr” is a very small sports machine only room for one person, namely the pilot. He landed at Kastrup to secure gasoline and oil and immediately afterwards started to fly on. Immediately after leaving the ground, he put the machine too straight up in the air. It almost completely stopped with the result that he had to dive, but as too close to the ground he crashed. Help was immediately sent to the spot where the young pilot was found quite unconscious in the ruins. As quickly as possible he was rushed to the hospital and immediately it could be seen that there was no hope. During the afternoon, he became conscious but at 6 o’clock he died.
“Eye witness to the accident tells us that when the machine hit the ground it made several hops along the ground and then collapsed. The wreckage was taken to a hangar and thoroughly examined for any fault, but as everything is badly crushed undoubtedly no opinion can be given.”
The article is accompanied by a photo of G-ABVG with Yamamoto standing alongside.
Hitherto, all that was known of the fate of G-ABVG was that it was put up for sale by Air Dispatch Ltd in August 1934 and its registration cancelled in September 1936 as withdrawn for use. It had also been reported that it was sold to a 19-year old Japanese in Belgium and who suffered a fatal crash there when he spun it in. So there was partial truth is this story – but the real answer is now known.”
By: Sabrejet - 31st May 2016 at 18:23
I’ve now been researching this subject for nearly eight years. In that time I’ve gathered a siginificant amount of material and information about the history of the Satyr after Mildred Bruce made her famous backward landing in it. I still have a few lines of enquiry to pursue but, as is inevitably the case, the final ones are always the most difficult. Hopefully when these are concluded, I’ll be able to write up my research. It won’t support a book but, I believe, it will generate a detailed and, I hope, interesting article.
Or an Appendix to Peter Amos’ books? (or Vol.4??)
By: avion ancien - 31st May 2016 at 17:45
I’ve now been researching this subject for nearly eight years. In that time I’ve gathered a significant amount of material and information about the history of the Satyr after Mildred Bruce made her famous backward landing in it. I still have a few lines of enquiry to pursue but, as is inevitably the case, the final ones are always the most difficult. Hopefully when these are concluded, I’ll be able to write up my research. It won’t support a book but, I believe, it will generate a detailed and, I hope, interesting article.
By: paulmcmillan - 31st May 2016 at 17:40
I have contacted Dr Ellin and alerted him to this posting I hope he can supply some details
Paul
By: sopwith.7f1 - 31st May 2016 at 15:53
would love to know if the builder has access to any original drawings.
Bob T.
By: Arabella-Cox - 31st May 2016 at 15:42
Also intrigued to hear of the replica Satyr: anyone have more detail?
Me too…..!! Will it be a flying replica/reproduction? More details would be welcome.
By: John Aeroclub - 31st May 2016 at 14:50
Thanks to AA’s persistence and some good work by Paul M, I feel that we have a reasonable closure to this interesting little aeroplane’s sad end. I have read that the name Satyr was a pun on when some friendly commentators referred to it as a satire on current fighter design. (Attributed to A.H.Lukins)
Perhaps the only details left for query are why was the unfortunate Mr Yamamoto on his way to Stockholm, and was this gentleman interred in Denmark?
John
By: avion ancien - 28th May 2016 at 21:13
Those are the basic facts – but there’s a great deal more to the story!
By: Sabrejet - 28th May 2016 at 21:09
Great work Peter (Vol.3 is out in July I hear: about time too!). Also intrigued to hear of the replica Satyr: anyone have more detail?
By: paulmcmillan - 28th May 2016 at 19:59
Solved!
Posted today on Air Britain Information Exchange:-
“The fate of the original Miles aircraft has often been the subject of question but, from a most unexpected source, Peter Amos has finally established what happened, courtesy of Dr Alex Ellin of Teesside University, Middlesbrough – who is building a replica.
The Kenyon Collegian, the newspaper of the Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio published the following on December 8 1936. ‘The Collegian has been awaited of this information from foreign newspapers concerning the death of WN Yamamoto, a member of the Kenyon Flying Club.’ The article went on:
“Again yesterday there was a fly accident and it took a young man’s life. The accident occurred at Kastrup Airfield yesterday morning at 11.24 (Aug 1 1936), where a 22-year old Japanese, WN Yamamoto fell to the ground from a height of 100 meters as starting for Stockholm. The young Japanese was badly crushed and died at 6 o’clock at Sundby Hospital. The young Japanese came to Copenhagen yesterday morning en route to Stockholm. He was taking part in the Olympic flying and had started from Hamburg yesterday morning to fly to Stockholm. His machine, an English “Satyr” is a very small sports machine only room for one person, namely the pilot. He landed at Kastrup to secure gasoline and oil and immediately afterwards started to fly on. Immediately after leaving the ground, he put the machine too straight up in the air. It almost completely stopped with the result that he had to dive, but as too close to the ground he crashed. Help was immediately sent to the spot where the young pilot was found quite unconscious in the ruins. As quickly as possible he was rushed to the hospital and immediately it could be seen that there was no hope. During the afternoon, he became conscious but at 6 o’clock he died.
“Eye witness to the accident tells us that when the machine hit the ground it made several hops along the ground and then collapsed. The wreckage was taken to a hangar and thoroughly examined for any fault, but as everything is badly crushed undoubtedly no opinion can be given.”
The article is accompanied by a photo of G-ABVG with Yamamoto standing alongside.
Hitherto, all that was known of the fate of G-ABVG was that it was put up for sale by Air Dispatch Ltd in August 1934 and its registration cancelled in September 1936 as withdrawn for use. It had also been reported that it was sold to a 19-year old Japanese in Belgium and who suffered a fatal crash there when he spun it in. So there was partial truth is this story – but the real answer is now known.”
By: avion ancien - 9th May 2012 at 22:14
An interesting thought, Paul – assuming that the Satyr did not suffer a dbr accident. But even if your thought cannot be rejected out of hand, I find myself wondering what role in the Spanish Civil War such a small, single seat biplane might have played. But my knowledge of the aviation aspects of that conflict leaves much to be desired. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable in this sphere can contribute something here?
By: avion ancien - 9th May 2012 at 22:14
An interesting thought, Paul – assuming that the Satyr did not suffer a dbr accident. But even if your thought cannot be rejected out of hand, I find myself wondering what role in the Spanish Civil War such a small, single seat biplane might have played. But my knowledge of the aviation aspects of that conflict leaves much to be desired. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable in this sphere can contribute something here?
By: paulmcmillan - 9th May 2012 at 11:37
Just a left field thought
I wonder if the Satyr ended up in Spain as part of Spanish Civil War??
Its not as if Mrs Bruce didn’t have a link to in this activity anyway
By: avion ancien - 8th May 2012 at 13:19
Thank you, Graham. Nothing ventured,nothing gained!
By: Graham Boak - 7th May 2012 at 18:49
I’ve raised the question on j-aircraft.org. I don’t have too high hopes but it is worth a try.
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