All

Malcolm Fillmore of Air Britain says amongst others

“This was interesting since I hadn’t had that accident previously listed.”

“I think there can be almost no doubt that the Avro 504 in question was 504N G-ADGB.  This is despite the wholly erroneous (and linked) information published on Aviation Safety Network “

“Zenith only ever had two Avro 504N’s G-ADGB and G-ADGC.  G-ADGC was never overhauled and eventually ended up with John Coxon of Southern Motor Co at Croydon (later Gatwick) in 1937.  G-ADGB was known to have been operating from Camber Sands and its registration was cancelled in June 1936 as wfu.  It is also shown as having been ‘sold’ in First quarter 1936 in the ICANS Registers.  Since its CofA was never renewed after first being issued 19 June 1935, it was probably sold for spares/scrap and from a lack of any further published information, one can reasonably assume that after the accident, Zenith Airways simply packed up – possibly as a result of adverse publicity or that the owner of Zenith (who appears to have been a passenger in the accident) thought better of the project.”

“G-ADGB was one of four Avro 504Ns acquired ex RAF by Aviation Commerce Limited at Croydon; two (G-ADGB/C) were sold on to LJ Braddock & partners (seemingly founders of Zenith Airways) and two (G-ADGM/N) were initially retained although G-ADGM was registered to Aircraft & Autos Ltd (a company owned by John Coxon) a few days after its CofA was issued in July 1935 (it was later probably operated by Chilworth Flying Club on joyflights). “

“Aviation Safety Network also state therein that G-ADGC was never registered to Zenith.  But it was – CofR no.5949 was issued to Zenith Airways Ltd of Camber Sands on 6 June 1935”.

As  J8758, Avro 504N, had ground accident Duxford 7 Oct,1928, it is possible that it would have been able to be converted with a flat fuselage – Shame that newspaper photos is not lighter – So a serial can be read

XXXX Deleted

Published: Monday 07 September 1936
Newspaper: The Scotsman

NARROW ESCAPES RECALLED Mr Tonge had served in the R.A.F. He was unmarried, and lived in West. Avenue, Wallington. Some years ago he ran out of petrol while over London, and put his machine safely in the Thames opposite the Houses of Parliament, then stepped off the sinking machine to a barge. Last year he was Flying at Camber  Sands, and engine trouble developed. For a moment or two it looked as if he would land on the crowded beach. but with great presence of mind he swerved the machine, and landed at the edge of the shore. A few months a Tonge had another narrow escape. from the North Country with two passengers, he ran into heavy mist, and to avoid hitting a hillside, put the machine into a tree. He suffered head injuries, but his passengers were unhurt. It is probable that engine trouble developed this time, as Mr Tonge, in such circumstances. favoured lending in a tree to break impact with the ground. 
 

I suppose it could be

Avro 504K Mk.II 

G-ADGC J9689, registered 23.4.35 to L. J. Braddock and partners, Croydon; Zenith Airways Ltd., Camber Sands, Sussex 6.35; registration cancelled 1.36 
 

Gloucester Citizen – Friday 23 August 1935 page 7

No Date, but as this daily paper suggest Thursday 22 August 1935

Says pilot was Sgt- Pilot Bart Tonge, RAF Reserve and landed heavily on beach. The passengers included Mr J L Braddock (owner of machine) and a woman

This is Bartholomew Furze Tonge RAF #700252

Mustang51 just tied to post image here no dice can you send me an email address 

Mustang51

I think (looking at ORB’s online) you will not find serials of Tempests in 183 ORB (I never looked in detail at 54 Sqn – but based on the compiler of 183 Sqn records moving on to compiling the 54 Sqn records – I would not be too hopeful). My gut feeling is that the info is ONLY on the aircraft movement card @Hendon

I will assume it will say MW763 -> 183 Sqn (and a date) the ‘internal transfer’ to 54 Sqn in Nov 1945 MAY NOT Be recorded as a separate item (thus “no 54 Sqn service”) – Its next record may be to 20 MU Oct 1946

If someone has the Air Britain serials book for MW763 I would be interested to see what it says, as this will be a edited version of what is based on Movement Card

Mason may have just gone through Air Britain serials book and just listed all 183 Sqn Tempests, or he may have looked at the original Movement cards and generated his list from these

Paul