Working from memory without the aid of notes so forgive me the odd error.

The Crossley Tom Thumb was built by Michael Crossley of Banbury about 1937.

He was a member of THE Crossley family that had built cars, lorries, buses etc. and had purchased Avro Ltd. until, in turn, was bought by John Siddeley (Armstrong Siddeley Motors/Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft) thus creating one of the roots of the Hawker Siddeley Group.

Mike Crossley went to one of the pre war aeronautical schools and with his father had started building an HM.14 Pou du Ciel but, like nearly everyone else in Britain that had started one, gave up when there were a couple of fatal crashes. He commenced his own design called Tom Thumb a single engine, single seat, high wing cabin monoplane and the wooden airframe was complete (but uncovered) when the project was halted by the start of the war. The design appears to owe nothing to the HM.14 (except perhaps it’s pair of wheels which were “borrowed” for, and still fitted to, MAPS/MAMs HM.14 G-AEGV) and can, perhaps be likened to a Luton Minor with a cabin.
The uncompleted airframe was acquired, after the war, by a gent in Coventry, who intended to complete it but this never happened. It later found it’s way into the hands of an antique dealer in Bewdley, Shropshire from whom the Midland Aircraft Preservation Society acquired it in 1968(?).
When we first saw it we mistakenly thought it was an incomplete Civilian Coupe. It remains stored with the MAPS’ successor the Midland Air Museum.

On the face of it the Tom Thumb sounds an unimportant, unfinished aircraft project.

However consider not only it’s connection with one of Britain’s famous motor companies but that Mike Crossley went on to become an accomplished fighter pilot in the RAF and fought in the Battle of Britain. How much of his skill as pilot/airman came from his past technical training and homebuilding projects?
He retired as a Wing Commander and emigrated to South Africa. I believe he died about 10 years ago.

Roger Smith.

PS that “grungy” photograph is one of mine taken outside the MAPS workshop (a hired, large garage) in Berkeley Road, Coventry shortly after acquisition.

[Is the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry worth a look?[/QUOTE]

I visited here about three years ago. Well worth a visit with Spitfire, Stuka, 2/3 of a Boeing 727, Boeing B.40 mailplane (this is due to move out soon though?), Curtis Pusher, Curtis J1N, Brown B.1 racer, Coastguard HH-3 – plus U-505 (German u-boat).
Main problem was getting there – long way out of city centre and the first bus I got on went to the wrong Museums (despite a question to the driver when getting on).
Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum at Rantoul south of Chicago well worth considering – Greyhound do go to Rantoul.
Another listing of Museums in US is by Michael Blaugher but lot of info available on the net.

Roger Smith.

What about museums that ban both flash and tripods? I however have a unipod, and so far haven’t been banned from using it.

I had this problem at Chicago Science Museum a few years ago “no tripods”
I tried to find out if a unipod/monopod was acceptable but couldn’t get an answer. I didn’t push my luck and managed without.

Roger Smith.

Doesn’t the blue BAe owned Anson at Old Warden fly?

Roger Smith.

Nice post Phil

I’m well curious about this VE Day flypast. Seeing the two ansons together sounds like a rare treat in itself.

Also they usually fly over my house en route to the London Flypast

Love Jay

PARTY AT JAY’S HOUSE lol

touche

suddenly caught in panic he looks frantically for a dictionary

Lovely pics – lovely machine(s)
Now what was the number of my travel agent? – o-oh forgot, need to win the lottery first!

Roger Smith.

Bob Mitchell’s collection includes his PT Flight consisting of a Fairchild PT23, 2 – Ryan PT22 and a Vultee BT15. Lots of airshows over several years right round the UK. We even used to augment the team with Hairyplanes current PT22 on occasion along with a four ship of Stearman PT17. Great fun.
The KZ VIII is a rare bird indeed though I saw a lovely example nicely flown at the KZ Rally at Stauning last year. I remember an example being flown by (IIRC) an ex-Luftwaffe ace, Walter Wolfrum, in one of the Coventry “Lockheed” aerobatic trophy contests around four decades ago.
Bob also has a couple of Miles types plus a Stephens Akro which was the predecessor of the Laser and Extra 230.
Cheers,
Trapper 69

From page 182 of the current “Wrecks and Relics” the PT flight consists of
Miles Whitney Straight G-AEUJ
Miles Monarch G-AFRZ
SV-4B G-AWIW
KZ.VIII G-AYKZ
Pitts S-2A G-BADW
Stephens Akro G-RIDE
PT-22 N1344
PT-22 N56421
PT-23 N49272
BT-15 Valiant N58566
A recent picture of the two Miles types showed them appearing to be in a sorry state with a lot of bird droppings on them.
Earlier this year I saw a report that the Vultee had been removed from the hangar and could be seen outside.
For those who don’t know of him this is what I know of Bob Mitchell. He was an accomplished and enthusiastic aerobatic pilot but suffered a horse riding accident some years ago that affected his flying ability. I have been told the aircraft are involved in a long running marital dispute.
I look forward to the day they re-emerge.

Roger Smith.