I found myself upside down over Henlow once in a Monarch Flying Club example! The four mentioned at Southend I think were at one time operated by Monarch from Luton (and a PA-28)?

Zander & Weyl were interned on the Isle of Man during the war and their assets were taken over by the Government.

Dad worked at the factory that is now where the Honda dealership is opp the Wagon & Horses.

Lots of local detail can be found via the Peoples War, a book was available at the Book Castle.

Blue Max, thanks for the date. The weather was superb for a bank holiday and I remember around 2 minutes before the crash discussing with my brother how (in my opinion) the pilot was over displaying the aircraft and how dangerously (again in my opinion) low and close he was flying in relation to the crowd line.

As we continued to watch the display turn into an accident, my brother responded with “you were right“! Sadly a needless waste of life.

As for the Maule, I count myself as rather fortunate, the impact was only meters away and I ended up with superficial bruises as my Carl Zeiss binos smacked me in the head as I fell back onto the floor. The heat from the conflagration was unbelievable!

G-AXOY the last commercial passenger flight in the UK. Departed from Luton 4 hours late in 1975…I think? An aviation enthusiast special 60 minute trip. As a kid it was awesome!

I remember as it climbed the airframe seemed to porpoise at each intermediate level.

Luton-Ottringham-Clacton-Luton, mostly with London Mil as I recall?

As per aircraft type:

Vickers Vanguard operated by Invicta International Airlines.

I missed this, the yellow,Gnat, black Hunter, Merlin, Beech 200 and the Merlin. The JP and Strikemaster were nice! Did it display and at what time?