I would like to be recognised for saving the Eon Primary G-ALPS. As a civilian gliding instructor with No 616 Air Cadet Gliding School at RAF Henlow I was looking for a non flying glider to donate to the No.2462 ATC Squadron based on RAF Henlow. to help in their understanding of flight. I knew the N.A.E (National Aeronautical Establishment)Gliding Club at Twinwood Farm near Bedford had a few Slingsby Tutor and T-31 fuselages and wings stored there in the rafters of a very long hut. I paid a visit in 1981 and enquired about a glider . I was shown to a hut on the NW boundary where a Eon Primary was stored dismantled G-ALPS. It was dusty and intact apart from a few fabric tears . It was silver overall with the registration in dark blue . I was told it had been flown at sometime by the test pilot Bill Bedford when he was test flying presumably at RAE Thurleigh and was a keen glider pilot at Farnborough.
The glider was given to me and I had a fellow instructor Rex Ford(of Dragon Rapide fame) borrow a large flat-bed lorry to remove it from Twinwood to Henlow on Saturday,8th August 1981. I donated the Primary to the Squadron and can remember it on static display at the Henlow Air Day’s.
I last heard of it in the nineties as a group was getting it airworthy and an Air Cadet was hurt by the bungy on an attempted launch . The Station Commander banned it and I don’t know it’s subsequent history.
So pleased it has survived and in stunning condition. Is there anybody out there who know’s more of it’s flying career at Twinwoods ?

As Baldeagle writes we got into the Grahame -White exhibition by pleading with a member of staff,as it was closed due to staff shortages. Very sad considering all of the early aircraft there .
I find Hendon shabby , carpets are worn and some of the aircraft look tired i.e. The Lancaster. However whenever I go it makes me proud to see the Tempest as it is the very aircraft that my late father flew at No 233 OCU Pembrey in 1954. He also has flown the JP (nose on display)when it was at Cranwell.
The restaurant was closed and being refurbished when I called a few weeks ago. My feelings are that Hendon is being left behind and possibly the potential building land is wanted by developers . How long before it all moves to Cosford ??

There was a thread on this about a year ago, Mods can you help locate ?

This site is quite useful http://orb.polishaf.pl/303sqn/1942-4/1942-05-no-303-squadron-f540 I presume you mean 303 Squadron not 313 ? Good luck in the research. Also try here http://www.geocities.com/skrzydla/index.html

Thanks for the information,was the incident at Bidford or Wellesbourne ?

G-ARMG is listed as “Cancelled as destroyed ” in the latest aviation magazines . Does anyone know what happened to this immaculate ex CAT Hamble machine ?