Snargasher

TurboNZ… I disagree. I think it looks like a nice aircraft (although only in the civil scheme and with the spats).

I think it’s probably the pics. A frontal quarter pic would be good to see to get a better perspective of it.

🙂

http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/archive/display.var.89962.0.who_remembers_famous_aircraft_firm.php
states:
“The Sigrist part of the name was Fred Sigrist then Joint Managing Director of Hawker Aircraft Ltd. He helped set up the company so that their products could be used in Hawker aeroplanes.”

TurboNZ… I disagree. I think it looks like a nice aircraft (although only in the civil scheme and with the spats).

dhfan, Born in 1880, Fred Sigrist died in 1956 in Bermuda as a millionaire, so I doubt that he was the same person.

Post #4 above mentions the first flight as being from the aerodrome at Desford, Leics., which I guess was the R&S flying base. That post from Charlielima5 also mentions the book that probably contains the definitive answer.

My apologies – I should re-read posts before adding to a thread. :rolleyes: Clearly, I have the attention span of a hamster. At least I was right with my deduction of Leicestershire.

Looks like a little bump and the tail fins would come away easily….
It ain’t pretty…

Reid & Sigrist were indeed based at Desford. The only other aircraft they built was the RS.3 Desford, later converted into the RS.4 Bobsleigh for prone pilot research. I wonder what happened to the RS.2. They were mainly instrument manufacturers.
I wonder if AJ Jackson really says the Snargasher was scraped, not scrapped? 🙂
Wonderful name, whatever it means.
I’ve often wondered if the Sigrist was Fred Sigrist, formerly TOM Sopwith’s right-hand man. Unusual name, can’t be many of them about.

Post #4 above mentions the first flight as being from the aerodrome at Desford, Leics., which I guess was the R&S flying base. That post from Charlielima5 also mentions the book that probably contains the definitive answer.

Since the website mentions that it was used by the manufacturers for communications duty, and a search on Google indicates that the company, which also made camera equipment, was based in Leicester, I assume the photo was probably taken at Reid & Sigrist’s aerodrome near there, perhaps Braunstone?

The best way to get an answer would be to contact the webmaster, Jaap Teeuwen, who may well be able to give you an answer.

Interesting photo! I wonder where it was taken and when – pity the website that shows it has no such info……

Only just got round to checking out this thread. The following website has a small piece on the RS1, including this photo showing it in wartime.

http://www.jaapteeuwen.com/ww2aircraft/index.htm

Actually, I think it’s quite a good name.

“Let loose the Snargashers, Number One ! “

“Snargashers away Sir”

From the amazing ‘British Civil aircraft since 1919, volume 3’.
Three seat,twin engined trainer of plywood-covered construction, woodern construction powered by two 205hp DH Gipsy six engines. Built by Reid&Sigrist Ltd at Desford 1938-39. One aircraft only, G-AEOD c/n 1 first flight by G.E. Lowdell 1939. First public appearance at the Heathrow garden Party of the Royal Aeronautical Society 15/5/39, cofa issued 3/6/39. Used for manufacturer’s communications during 1939-44. Scraped 1944
span 36ft4, length 25ft4,tare weight 3000lb,auw 4900lb max speed 205mph cruise 190mph.
What a name though, who the hell thought that one up?????????

THank you very much, Charlielima5, that was just what I wanted! Must get that book.

The RS.1 Snargasher was built at New Malden, Surrey (factory site believed long since redeveloped) in 1938/39 and first flown by the late W/Cdr George Lowdell at Desford Aerodrome, Leics, on 11th May 1939. See Roy Bonser’s excellent 2001 book ‘Aviation in Leicestershire and Rutland’ (Midland Publishing Ltd, Hinckley. Leics) for more about Reid & Sigrist.

After a bit more googling myself, I find that there was an article about the Snargasher in Flypast #82, May 1988. Could someone please look this up and perhaps scan and post the pages? Or at least give me the first flight date, for my database? Thanks in advance.

snargasher – training aircraft (Canadian usage)

This off a Google. Looks a bit like a variant of the Desford.