A detailed look at 1930s airliner development would be welcome. It was a fascinating period, going from biplanes and heavily strutted fixed gear aircraft like the Boulton Paul P.71, D.H. 86, and H.P. 45 Hannibal class, while American carriers were still flying a mix of late 20s vintage Fords and wood-winged Fokkers and a series of single-engine types (Boeings, Northrups, wooden Lockheeds). Competitive pressure from the Boeing 247 gave birth to the DC-1-2-3 awhile Lockheed produced the state of the art (and less economical) 10-12-14-18 range. European airliners had by the mid to late 30s, caught up in design (if not in the long life and profit producing potential of the DCs) with Fait G.18s, Bloch 220s, and the D.H. Albatross and Flamingo (while continuing on with fabric biplanes the 89, 90) while Shorts continued to make flying boats (unaware as was Boeing, Martin and Consolidated in the US) that the civil flying boat market wouldn’t last through the next decade. And as an aside, we had a series of aircraft o that were more or less a new series of bombers in civil guise: the S.M. 79 in Italy, the German Do 17 and He 111, French Amiot 340, and a fast transport, the Bristol 142 Britain First which was, effectively, the Blenheim prototype………….

I agree although you miss out the Argosy, Atalanta and Ensign, all from Armstrong Whitworth and which alone encapsulate a 10 – 12 year period of progress.

Another topic I would like to see covered is the introduction of jet technology into action in the military. The Me 262 is, probably, amply covered, but the Meteor and the P-80 far less so. And, did any Japanese jet types actually see action?

Roger Smith.

I, too, am appalled at this news.

I’ve never been to the deep store but I believe it is fairly remote. That fact is worrying as the opportunity is there for thieves to get there with little chance of detection. So, the chance of re-occurrence may be high.

DoraNineFan’s idea of a CCTV camera/recorder set up is good – perhaps including a camera on the road/track in/out of the site that will record visiting vehicle’s number plate. Seek the advice of the constabulary and draw upon their expertise.

Roger Smith.

In the meantime The Classic Air Force continues at the re-opened Airbase, Coventry.

The weekend just gone saw pleasure flights on Saturday and Sunday in the Rapide (‘IDL) and Chipmunk, a pop concert on Saturday evening, the Vulcan Goodbye flyover on Sunday along with an aerojumble and the Meteor NF.11 departing to/arriving back from a display at Cleethorpes.

Next Saturday (4th July) is the second flying display of this year at Coventry with “The Baginton Air Pageant” a bit of a fond throw-back to the 1950s air displays at Baginton Aerodrome when that event was the venue for The King’s Cup. Included (and the highlight for me) will be a ‘just-for-fun re-creation of The King’s Cup with handicappers to try and achieve those exciting finishes I can remember as the pilots dived for the finish line. Spectators will be able to enter a competition to win a flight in the winning aircraft.

Go to: http://www.classicairforce.com/

Roger Smith.

Thanks Edgar/Eddie – satisfied my curiosity for me.

Roger Smith.

Edgar, have you deciphered the signature on that document?
I am not familiar with Guy Gibson’s signature but that looks like a capital G, then something, capital G, l (or i?), b, o, n.
Apologies for the topic diversion.

Roger Smith.

The list comes from a book on Jaguar by Philip Porter….

Thanks Rich,

Roger Smith.

Simply to expand Richw_82’s aircraft content….

It is said that William Lyons of S.S.Cars sought permission from John Siddeley of Armstrong Siddeley to use the name “Jaguar” (as in Armstrong Siddeley radial aero engine) to rename his company and throw off the name S.S.

That’s an impressive list of aero production work Rich – did you research it yourself or is it published in one of the Jaguar books?

I watched the programme (I was born and raised only about a mile from the Browns Lane factory) and one point I remember from it was someone at Goodwood who seemed pleased with Jaguar’s action as it meant enthusiasts will be able to see racing E-types racing as the 12 originals either won’t be raced because they are to valuable (£5 m was mentioned) or, if they are, the drivers will hold back so as not to risk damage.

Roger Smith.