Thanks for the heads up on that website mmitch – truly dedicated people and a side of aviation preservation that deserves more recognition. It certainly added to the DX event anf the spontanious applaues from the crowd after each run said it all.

Heavitree was a strip upon which an office complex is now sited. The “barn” was on the edge of that old strip. The AL.1 moved to the owner’s family’s private premises and last I knew of it was still stored with them (along with a couple of BA Swallows which were stored in the same barn at Heavitree) – though rumours of a restoration of the AL.1 surface from time to time.

Prior to emptying, the barn contained a very early Taylorcraft C (now with Leicester museums stored and stripped), an Auster, Tiger Moth G-ACDA (which was restored to fly then hit a pilon on its first post-restoration flight and was burnt out) though it’s frame survives. Another Swallow which was once amongst those aircraft stored at Heavitree was removed many years back, was restored to fly and is now at Shobdon w.f.u. again.

The collection originated with Bertram Arden and I believe his family beneficiaries owned the AL.1 and probably still do. It would be wonderful if it could be restored to fly ……would sit nicely with a Falcon ?!

Here’s a solution, there are 7126 registered members spread between these forums, what if key were to charge £3.50 to each registered name for the privilege of using the forums. The proceeds of which could go towards the costs of insuring Sally B.

Now that’s a stealth (bomber) tax I’d support!

Albert

Yes it’s still at Staverton ,where I photographed it today! It’s sadly stored externally and away from public access at the very far side of the airfield, pending the Jet Age folk getting some resolution to their current difficulties.

I recall it well when on show at Quedgeley. I too initially had some grief over getting permission to photograph it there, but obtained the necessary approval eventually to publish a shot. It was one of my illustrations in Wrecks & Relics 5th edition back in 1976 (how time flies)!

[QUOTE=Mark12]….from an original Vickers print when on exposition pre WWI.

Strewth, Bleriot must have had quite a shock if he visited the event!

One went to the US, the other to Scandinavia from what I recall – I believe both are stored. One at least was operated / raced by Peter Masefield and I seem to recall it was known as the Bristol conversion. Though the canopy looks like the Canadian style I’m not sure it was exactly the same.

Hairyplane,
I would have liked to have been able to attend the Hawk Speed Six’s birthday party on Monday, especially as I have also have a Hawk Speed Six! Mine depicts the modified canopy used in post-war racing on ‘DGP. Again it’s a little smaller (approx 14 inch span) than the real ‘GP. In this case, rather than my Falcon’s chrome finish, my Speed Six is pure solid wood. I’ve removed it from its stand for the attached photo. I own another example of this model-builder’s craft (a Mew Gull). Returning to the Miles theme however, I thought you might like to see a Messenger I also own (span 12 inches). My fleet includes other 1930s UK types, but pales into insignificance compared with your contributioins with the real thing!

I too flew on a number of Viscounts including those of BEA, Channel Airways, Cambrian, BAF and finally Heli Air’s ‘PEY on its farewell tour etc. The windows offered the best view I can recall from an airliner. The farewell flight I sampled was from East Midlands and took in a very low flypast over the old Fields airfield at Wymeswold (where some exotic examples were once serviced). The turbulence was a little dramatic on that flight and struggling back to the cabin from the cockpit was a little bouncy to say the least. Flying on the Viscount was normally, however, a comfy and sophisticated experience …… magic as Moggy has already implied!

To trigger a few memories I offer up a couple of my shots of earlier days. Especially for Charley I include views on the Birmingham apron and for Albert the era is 1969 re the BEA shot – I can’t recall the date re the Cambrian one but about 1970 I think. Enjoy!