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NAME: Vic Coughtrey
Then & NowDATE: 31 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1954-59
Aviation suddenly became the dominant feature of Thread 147 (reply 9 onwards). I thought that topic would make a good new restricted topic thread for 'Wider World'. Please read the the relevant replies in Thread 147 first, to avoid repeating their content in W10. You can still respond to replies in 147, but if the subject is connected with aviation your reply will appear in this thread instead, with a link back to 147.
RESTRICTED THREAD: please make aviation matters the main subject of your reply.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen 
.jpg "James Cowen gallery")
Then & Now
DATE: 31 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
In respect of the reference to the De Havilland Comet aeroplane [Thread 147, reply 14] I am reminded of that iconic hotel building, the Comet Hotel in Hatfield built in 1933 after the design of architect EB Musman in commemoration of the great Hatfield De Havilland factory. It is still there and under the ownership of the Ramada Hotel group. I try to avoid going by it when in Hatfield due to the excessive traffic and complicated road structure and I take a by-pass route. Outside there is still a plane on a plinth.
Then & NowDATE: 31 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
In respect of the reference to the De Havilland Comet aeroplane [Thread 147, reply 14] I am reminded of that iconic hotel building, the Comet Hotel in Hatfield built in 1933 after the design of architect EB Musman in commemoration of the great Hatfield De Havilland factory. It is still there and under the ownership of the Ramada Hotel group. I try to avoid going by it when in Hatfield due to the excessive traffic and complicated road structure and I take a by-pass route. Outside there is still a plane on a plinth.
2nd REPLY
NAME: Vic Coughtrey Then & NowDATE: 31 March 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1954-59
Jas, I'm delighted to hear that the aeroplane is still there, on top of its column. I hope it's still red! It is in fact a de Havilland DH.88 Comet Racer, which was built in 1933 specially for the 1934 London-Melbourne air race. It won the race. The hotel is, of course, named after that aircraft, as the Comet airliner was still nearly 20 years in the future. Everything about the look of that earlier Comet announces that it's a de Havilland creation. In many ways it became the forerunner of the de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito of Second World War fame.
By the way, does anyone remember the pub somewhere in the vicinity that had many photographs of de Havilland aircraft on the walls? I think it may have been demolished during the construction of the A1(M) tunnel.
NAME: Roger Nolan 
DATE: 01 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 to 1967
Aviation runs in my family although it has skipped a generation with me. My late father was a Mosquito pilot in Bomber Command during the war and my son who is a qualified pilot is a part time airshow commentator, having commentated at Duxford and Yeovilton amongst a number of other airshows. He was featured in a Channel 4 series called Bomber Crew in 2004 in which he was one of five grandchildren of Second World War bomber aircrew who were trained to fly a B17 heavy bomber.
DATE: 01 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 to 1967
Aviation runs in my family although it has skipped a generation with me. My late father was a Mosquito pilot in Bomber Command during the war and my son who is a qualified pilot is a part time airshow commentator, having commentated at Duxford and Yeovilton amongst a number of other airshows. He was featured in a Channel 4 series called Bomber Crew in 2004 in which he was one of five grandchildren of Second World War bomber aircrew who were trained to fly a B17 heavy bomber.
NAME: Derek Scudder
DATE: 05 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
A small addition to this aviation thread. We were down in the Corfe Castle area last summer looking at a potential venue for our son's wedding this year, when we saw that the Red Arrows were at a show in Swanage. My son casually mentioned that one of his classmates from school in Watford is in the Red Arrows. His name is Martin Pert and apparently his main ambition right through school was to be a Red Arrows pilot.
DATE: 05 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
A small addition to this aviation thread. We were down in the Corfe Castle area last summer looking at a potential venue for our son's wedding this year, when we saw that the Red Arrows were at a show in Swanage. My son casually mentioned that one of his classmates from school in Watford is in the Red Arrows. His name is Martin Pert and apparently his main ambition right through school was to be a Red Arrows pilot.
NAME: Ken Pegden
DATE: 05 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
Thanks to Vic for this thread re airplanes. I was born opposite de Havilland and fell in love with jet aircraft along with the Mosquito etc. Sadly the aerodrome is now a business park but the hangers still exist as film studios. As Vic says in reply 2, the Comet hotel mentioned by Jas [reply 1] commemorates the DH 88 which won the UK to Australia air race in 1934. DH built iconic planes leading the world in aeronautical development through the second World War into the jet age and through the sound barrier. John Derry, dH test pilot was the first British pilot to break the barrier in the dH 108 Swallow, after we had given all the technology to the US. If you want to read more Brian Rivas writes regularly books about this leading company, just google his name.
NOTE FROM VIC: There's a reference to the tragic end of John Derry on my personal website.
DATE: 05 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
Thanks to Vic for this thread re airplanes. I was born opposite de Havilland and fell in love with jet aircraft along with the Mosquito etc. Sadly the aerodrome is now a business park but the hangers still exist as film studios. As Vic says in reply 2, the Comet hotel mentioned by Jas [reply 1] commemorates the DH 88 which won the UK to Australia air race in 1934. DH built iconic planes leading the world in aeronautical development through the second World War into the jet age and through the sound barrier. John Derry, dH test pilot was the first British pilot to break the barrier in the dH 108 Swallow, after we had given all the technology to the US. If you want to read more Brian Rivas writes regularly books about this leading company, just google his name.
NOTE FROM VIC: There's a reference to the tragic end of John Derry on my personal website.
NAME: Ken Pegden
DATE: 05 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
Hi Roger [reply 3]. I note that your father was a 'Mozzie' pilot. One of the greatest aircraft ever built. In my previous reply [above] I mention Brian Rivas, author of a number of aeronautical books and you may be interested in his book regarding the Mosquito. It is written in conjunction with the Haynes group (car manuals) and makes great reading with plenty of photos. I remember watching from my bedroom a Mozzie crash at the end of the dH runway in a mangled heap. A few minutes later the pilot extricated himself, dusted down and walked off unhurt.
DATE: 05 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
Hi Roger [reply 3]. I note that your father was a 'Mozzie' pilot. One of the greatest aircraft ever built. In my previous reply [above] I mention Brian Rivas, author of a number of aeronautical books and you may be interested in his book regarding the Mosquito. It is written in conjunction with the Haynes group (car manuals) and makes great reading with plenty of photos. I remember watching from my bedroom a Mozzie crash at the end of the dH runway in a mangled heap. A few minutes later the pilot extricated himself, dusted down and walked off unhurt.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 05 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I too passed the Newark Lightning [thread 147, replies 12,15] many times when it was still there. There is, I see from the internet, a current connection to Newark in that funds are needed to buy an F3 XR713 to go to Wattisham Airfield Museum. Go to the website of the Lightning Preservation Group to donate. It says if the appeal is unsuccessful, all monies will be returned. I will not be contributing as being more interested in steam railway preservation, which takes a chunk of my money, though not a great amount as not having a lot to spare. In connection with the Red Arrows I too have enjoyed recent displays over Swanage and at the Bournemouth Air Show. As an ex-school joint Transport Society secretary it is not just trains that are of interest but also planes and automobiles, not forgetting ships.
Then & NowDATE: 05 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I too passed the Newark Lightning [thread 147, replies 12,15] many times when it was still there. There is, I see from the internet, a current connection to Newark in that funds are needed to buy an F3 XR713 to go to Wattisham Airfield Museum. Go to the website of the Lightning Preservation Group to donate. It says if the appeal is unsuccessful, all monies will be returned. I will not be contributing as being more interested in steam railway preservation, which takes a chunk of my money, though not a great amount as not having a lot to spare. In connection with the Red Arrows I too have enjoyed recent displays over Swanage and at the Bournemouth Air Show. As an ex-school joint Transport Society secretary it is not just trains that are of interest but also planes and automobiles, not forgetting ships.
NAME: Martyn Day 
Then & Now
DATE: 05 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Inmate 1956-63
On the other side of the A1001, directly opposite the old De Havilland Factory in Hatfield, there used to be the 'Vampire Café' named after the DH 100 single engine jet fighter that was developed and built there. Those of us who lived in Welham Green and Brookmans Park at the time may still remember the plane howling overhead during our childhood. The plane and the café have both gone now - and so has our childhood!
Then & NowDATE: 05 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Inmate 1956-63
On the other side of the A1001, directly opposite the old De Havilland Factory in Hatfield, there used to be the 'Vampire Café' named after the DH 100 single engine jet fighter that was developed and built there. Those of us who lived in Welham Green and Brookmans Park at the time may still remember the plane howling overhead during our childhood. The plane and the café have both gone now - and so has our childhood!
NAME: Roger Nolan
DATE: 07 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 to 1967
Thanks Ken [reply 6] for recommending Brian Rivas' book. In return I would recommend the book titled Mosquito by Martin Sharp and Michael Bowyer published in 1995. It is a long and detailed book which covers all aspects of the aeroplane. Interestingly none of the references to de Havilland in the various replies to this thread have mentioned the Tiger Moth. I remember that Gabby Hayes used to fly his Tiger over the School on Founders day.
DATE: 07 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 to 1967
Thanks Ken [reply 6] for recommending Brian Rivas' book. In return I would recommend the book titled Mosquito by Martin Sharp and Michael Bowyer published in 1995. It is a long and detailed book which covers all aspects of the aeroplane. Interestingly none of the references to de Havilland in the various replies to this thread have mentioned the Tiger Moth. I remember that Gabby Hayes used to fly his Tiger over the School on Founders day.
NAME: Derek Scudder
DATE: 09 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
Firstly, apologies to Ken Pegden for mis-spelling his name in my reply 4 [since corrected]. Secondly, a peripheral story about the Mosquito Museum. This was originally opened by W Goldsmith in, I believe, the 1950s. I knew his son, Andy, slightly as we both raced motorcycles and he worked at a dealers in Finchley. Some time after I last saw him, in the early 1970s, a story appeared in the local press about him being disqualified from voting for a number of years. He had voted in a general election and then gone to the pub. One of his friends said he wasn't bothering to vote whereupon Andy volunteered to do it for him. Needless to say he got caught and ended up in the dock, hence the ban.
DATE: 09 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
Firstly, apologies to Ken Pegden for mis-spelling his name in my reply 4 [since corrected]. Secondly, a peripheral story about the Mosquito Museum. This was originally opened by W Goldsmith in, I believe, the 1950s. I knew his son, Andy, slightly as we both raced motorcycles and he worked at a dealers in Finchley. Some time after I last saw him, in the early 1970s, a story appeared in the local press about him being disqualified from voting for a number of years. He had voted in a general election and then gone to the pub. One of his friends said he wasn't bothering to vote whereupon Andy volunteered to do it for him. Needless to say he got caught and ended up in the dock, hence the ban.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 12 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I liked the picture, Roger, of you and your son in the Tiger Moth [reply 9]. Has anyone else besides you and Vic got any relevant photos? In connection with the 10th reply I remember in my school years (about 1962) visiting Salisbury Hall in London Colney, Herts with the Records Society from school, for which I was the Secretary and Bop Wakelin the President. We saw amongst other things the 'Mosquito' based there. Walter Goldsmith had according to the website accepted the aircraft back from de Havilland in 1959. We also enjoyed going round the moat of the hall in a rowing boat. I also found it interesting that Sir Nigel Gresley of A4 locomotive fame was resident there in the 30s. The Mosquito Museum is now known as the de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre and has many more planes now including a Tiger Moth. There is much more detail on the website.
I note than on the Tripadvisor website the museum is ranked #6 of 18 attractions in St Albans. Of 39 reviews (not a great number I know) 22 are excellent,15 very good and 2 average. One comment: "You can go inside the aircraft and there is lots of aviation history. It is nicely set out and you can wander around at your leisure." Another says "Not great for kids but a must for senior plane enthusiasts." I note also that the Lincolnshire Aviation Centre based on the original WW2 airfield has Lancaster tours this week. The site says "You can even get a ride in a Lancaster."
Then & NowDATE: 12 April 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I liked the picture, Roger, of you and your son in the Tiger Moth [reply 9]. Has anyone else besides you and Vic got any relevant photos? In connection with the 10th reply I remember in my school years (about 1962) visiting Salisbury Hall in London Colney, Herts with the Records Society from school, for which I was the Secretary and Bop Wakelin the President. We saw amongst other things the 'Mosquito' based there. Walter Goldsmith had according to the website accepted the aircraft back from de Havilland in 1959. We also enjoyed going round the moat of the hall in a rowing boat. I also found it interesting that Sir Nigel Gresley of A4 locomotive fame was resident there in the 30s. The Mosquito Museum is now known as the de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre and has many more planes now including a Tiger Moth. There is much more detail on the website.
I note than on the Tripadvisor website the museum is ranked #6 of 18 attractions in St Albans. Of 39 reviews (not a great number I know) 22 are excellent,15 very good and 2 average. One comment: "You can go inside the aircraft and there is lots of aviation history. It is nicely set out and you can wander around at your leisure." Another says "Not great for kids but a must for senior plane enthusiasts." I note also that the Lincolnshire Aviation Centre based on the original WW2 airfield has Lancaster tours this week. The site says "You can even get a ride in a Lancaster."
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 01 May 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I see from the official QE website that two parties of year 9 students went to RAF Duxford on subsequent days. The school seems to have some more interesting away trips organised than back in my day. Of course the syllabus does seem also to cover very recent history unlike in my day, though we did have a unique A‑Level History paper 1815-1939. It was marked 'A‑Level History - Barnet'.
Then & NowDATE: 01 May 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I see from the official QE website that two parties of year 9 students went to RAF Duxford on subsequent days. The school seems to have some more interesting away trips organised than back in my day. Of course the syllabus does seem also to cover very recent history unlike in my day, though we did have a unique A‑Level History paper 1815-1939. It was marked 'A‑Level History - Barnet'.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 11 October 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
For those contributors who are interested in planes especially those of WW years and who may not regularly watch Channel 4, unlike me, and who do not examine TV schedules in detail, there is a programme on Sunday 12th October at 7.30 p.m. called Guy Martin's Spitfire about the reconstruction of a Spitfire plane. It has been advertised frequently on the screen when I am watching Channel 4.
Then & NowDATE: 11 October 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
For those contributors who are interested in planes especially those of WW years and who may not regularly watch Channel 4, unlike me, and who do not examine TV schedules in detail, there is a programme on Sunday 12th October at 7.30 p.m. called Guy Martin's Spitfire about the reconstruction of a Spitfire plane. It has been advertised frequently on the screen when I am watching Channel 4.
NAME: Alan Pyle 
DATE: 13 October 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1948-1953
My late father, a carpenter, worked at DHs Hatfield throughout the war building the Mosquito as a carpenter. There seemed to be as much glue as wood in the build. He was just out of the workshop when it was bombed (1943?) and told me that he was strafed on the Barnet By-pass on one cycle ride to work from Borehamwood. In National Service in 1956/57 I was in the ground crew at 5FTS RAF Oakington where we serviced the DH Vampire Mk V and T 11. It was a hazardous business for the trainees especially the night flying exercises. Our job was to turn them round and work all the good weather hours we could so that the pilots could get their conversion training completed. Marshalling them the Goblin howl was not shut out as we had no safety gear of any kind. The twin boom and tricycle undercarriage was very useful when the trainee pilots made wet starts. We could easily spill the spare fuel out by tipping up the craft and then moving it to a safer dry spot on the pan for a second try.
The only references I can find to the bombing of the airfield have the year as 1940. It seems many were killed in that raid. Would that be the one, Alan? (See, for example, the 'Our Hatfield' site}.
DATE: 13 October 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1948-1953
My late father, a carpenter, worked at DHs Hatfield throughout the war building the Mosquito as a carpenter. There seemed to be as much glue as wood in the build. He was just out of the workshop when it was bombed (1943?) and told me that he was strafed on the Barnet By-pass on one cycle ride to work from Borehamwood. In National Service in 1956/57 I was in the ground crew at 5FTS RAF Oakington where we serviced the DH Vampire Mk V and T 11. It was a hazardous business for the trainees especially the night flying exercises. Our job was to turn them round and work all the good weather hours we could so that the pilots could get their conversion training completed. Marshalling them the Goblin howl was not shut out as we had no safety gear of any kind. The twin boom and tricycle undercarriage was very useful when the trainee pilots made wet starts. We could easily spill the spare fuel out by tipping up the craft and then moving it to a safer dry spot on the pan for a second try.
The only references I can find to the bombing of the airfield have the year as 1940. It seems many were killed in that raid. Would that be the one, Alan? (See, for example, the 'Our Hatfield' site}.
NAME: Alan Pyle
DATE: 16 October 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1948-1953
Yes Vic, I think this would have been the incident. It was an awful attack. As is stated on the Hatfield website the DH workers were flat out round the clock to build those planes. Dad was rarely home. 1940 would make me only three and a half years old. The remarkable thing about those times in the war is how we children were so well protected. OK, so the news was very heavily managed but it did mean the adults could get on with what was necessary.
DATE: 16 October 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1948-1953
Yes Vic, I think this would have been the incident. It was an awful attack. As is stated on the Hatfield website the DH workers were flat out round the clock to build those planes. Dad was rarely home. 1940 would make me only three and a half years old. The remarkable thing about those times in the war is how we children were so well protected. OK, so the news was very heavily managed but it did mean the adults could get on with what was necessary.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 30 October 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I really enjoyed so much of the TV programmes on BBC4 on how the UK came to lead the world's passenger airline industry by 1960 using British-built aircraft such as the de Havilland Comet and Vickers Viscount (Jet! When Britain Ruled The Skies). The benefits of the Comet over the American Boeing fleet were well extolled by passengers and aircrew, but of course BOAC went for the latter for American long haul flights and the Farnborough Air Show resorted to not just British planes. I was also interested in the paper uniforms for staff. If missed perhaps it will be repeated or may be seen on I-player. In regard to other aircraft news a significant flyover over Salisbury is planned for 2015 in addition to Magna Carta events on the ground. It will probably be a smaller show than the dear old Bournemouth Air Show but no doubt worth seeing.
Then & NowDATE: 30 October 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I really enjoyed so much of the TV programmes on BBC4 on how the UK came to lead the world's passenger airline industry by 1960 using British-built aircraft such as the de Havilland Comet and Vickers Viscount (Jet! When Britain Ruled The Skies). The benefits of the Comet over the American Boeing fleet were well extolled by passengers and aircrew, but of course BOAC went for the latter for American long haul flights and the Farnborough Air Show resorted to not just British planes. I was also interested in the paper uniforms for staff. If missed perhaps it will be repeated or may be seen on I-player. In regard to other aircraft news a significant flyover over Salisbury is planned for 2015 in addition to Magna Carta events on the ground. It will probably be a smaller show than the dear old Bournemouth Air Show but no doubt worth seeing.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 02 November 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
About a week ago I went to the latest OE 40 Club lunch at the OE Pavilion. Whilst in the area I also visited the new Boreham Wood library at 96 Shenley Road and also the Elstree and Boreham Wood museum, which has space on the top floor. Whilst there I noticed in the library in the local history section a book with many pictures of the aerodrome and planes that flew there. The book is Elstree Aerodrome - the past in pictures by Richard Riding and Grant Peerless (produced Sutton Publishing). This was produced in November 2003 and at the time it said copies are available at £14.99 from the museum. This may not now be the case but I note seven used copies at from £14.37 or new at £30 on Amazon. This may be of interest to aviation fans generally and specifically to those interested in Elstree Aerodrome. In relation to the Elstree Airshow of 15th July 1967 there is specific info on the internet. There is also a photo taken by Derek Pedley of Air Team Images Ltd of the aerodrome.
Then & NowDATE: 02 November 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
About a week ago I went to the latest OE 40 Club lunch at the OE Pavilion. Whilst in the area I also visited the new Boreham Wood library at 96 Shenley Road and also the Elstree and Boreham Wood museum, which has space on the top floor. Whilst there I noticed in the library in the local history section a book with many pictures of the aerodrome and planes that flew there. The book is Elstree Aerodrome - the past in pictures by Richard Riding and Grant Peerless (produced Sutton Publishing). This was produced in November 2003 and at the time it said copies are available at £14.99 from the museum. This may not now be the case but I note seven used copies at from £14.37 or new at £30 on Amazon. This may be of interest to aviation fans generally and specifically to those interested in Elstree Aerodrome. In relation to the Elstree Airshow of 15th July 1967 there is specific info on the internet. There is also a photo taken by Derek Pedley of Air Team Images Ltd of the aerodrome.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 02 November 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Whilst in Borehamwood recently (November 2014) I visited again the Museum at 96 Shenley Road and also the library with its array of local history books. Whilst there I spent more time than before reading Elstree aerodrome - the past in pictures referred to in my 17th reply above. Besides interesting chapters on the general history of the aerodrome and loads of black and white photos of all sorts of aircraft based there over the years I liked the last chapter, though fairly brief, and photos of the air shows held there (Chapter 15 -'Pulling in the crowds'). Unlike you, Vic, I still cannot recall seeing any of them with my Dad and this I find a bit alarming as it was definitely within walking distance of Borehamwood and I did walk fairly large distances with my Dad around Borehamwood, Elstree and Aldenham. Certainly by the time of the Elstree Air Pageant of 15/7/67 my Dad had died but was alive at such events as the Elstree Pilot's Rally of 18/7/61 (all shown in photos).
There were a number of OEs near me at the last OE Annual Dinner, who were more versed in air matters than myself and one who had served in the RAF in the middle east. Although they had attended air shows at Hendon, Duxford, Farnborough and other places they did not record attending Elstree air shows. There were apparently many people who did so. Perhaps there are other OE readers on the site with personal memories. At the air display of 27/7/47 there were apparently 12,000 visitors. Admission to the show cost 3 shillings (15p in current money) and the cost of the programme was 5p. Maybe there were similar numbers at later events. The souvenir programme in the 1979 show (8/7/79) was 50p. Though I do not recall going to any of the shows I do recall visits to the aerodrome using my bike on some normal flying days.
In regard to the Elstree aerodrome book, I was interested in the comment in it that "although busier than most small aerodromes Elstree has witnessed few fatal accidents in its 70 year history." This took me back to that sad day of 29/11/75 when Graham Hill, the racing driver, and 5 others were killed flying in foggy conditions over Arkley golf course when flying from France to Elstree. I remember that when living at the time in Welwyn Garden City. It was like the death of President Kennedy moment. I found good also the comment of Richard Riding, one of the book's authors, who says "Despite the tragic death in 1950 of her husband in an Auster flying from Elstree aerodrome without a single word of discouragement, my mother watched me embark upon a career in aerial photography flying in Austers based at Elstree." I believe that when my Dad and I went up in a plane over Hendon at one Hendon airshow it was an Auster and we did enjoy it with no trepidation, I recall.
Then & NowDATE: 02 November 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Whilst in Borehamwood recently (November 2014) I visited again the Museum at 96 Shenley Road and also the library with its array of local history books. Whilst there I spent more time than before reading Elstree aerodrome - the past in pictures referred to in my 17th reply above. Besides interesting chapters on the general history of the aerodrome and loads of black and white photos of all sorts of aircraft based there over the years I liked the last chapter, though fairly brief, and photos of the air shows held there (Chapter 15 -'Pulling in the crowds'). Unlike you, Vic, I still cannot recall seeing any of them with my Dad and this I find a bit alarming as it was definitely within walking distance of Borehamwood and I did walk fairly large distances with my Dad around Borehamwood, Elstree and Aldenham. Certainly by the time of the Elstree Air Pageant of 15/7/67 my Dad had died but was alive at such events as the Elstree Pilot's Rally of 18/7/61 (all shown in photos).
There were a number of OEs near me at the last OE Annual Dinner, who were more versed in air matters than myself and one who had served in the RAF in the middle east. Although they had attended air shows at Hendon, Duxford, Farnborough and other places they did not record attending Elstree air shows. There were apparently many people who did so. Perhaps there are other OE readers on the site with personal memories. At the air display of 27/7/47 there were apparently 12,000 visitors. Admission to the show cost 3 shillings (15p in current money) and the cost of the programme was 5p. Maybe there were similar numbers at later events. The souvenir programme in the 1979 show (8/7/79) was 50p. Though I do not recall going to any of the shows I do recall visits to the aerodrome using my bike on some normal flying days.
In regard to the Elstree aerodrome book, I was interested in the comment in it that "although busier than most small aerodromes Elstree has witnessed few fatal accidents in its 70 year history." This took me back to that sad day of 29/11/75 when Graham Hill, the racing driver, and 5 others were killed flying in foggy conditions over Arkley golf course when flying from France to Elstree. I remember that when living at the time in Welwyn Garden City. It was like the death of President Kennedy moment. I found good also the comment of Richard Riding, one of the book's authors, who says "Despite the tragic death in 1950 of her husband in an Auster flying from Elstree aerodrome without a single word of discouragement, my mother watched me embark upon a career in aerial photography flying in Austers based at Elstree." I believe that when my Dad and I went up in a plane over Hendon at one Hendon airshow it was an Auster and we did enjoy it with no trepidation, I recall.
19th REPLY
NAME: Vic Coughtrey Then & NowDATE: 08December 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1954-59
The only Elstree air show I remember much about is the 1967 one. That was the one at which the display by the Lightning caused complaints from residents. At the other end of the scale, in speed, size, weight, cost, and noise, was the Fairey Tipsy Nipper, a tiny aerobatic aircraft designed for home-build. Together with my friend Walter, I had a ride in a Piper Cherokee. As the demand for trips was uncharacteristically very light (there was no queue), the pilot gave us a very good circuit for our money, taking in the Barnets and Hadley Wood. When I pointed out my mother's house, in which I was temporarily staying, in Connaught Road, the pilot obligingly (and probably illegally) descended in order to make a pretty low pass over it. No wonder I remember that particular show. It was also memorable for having a separate short display after dark. Various aircraft were picked out by a searchlight as they went through their routines. This ended with a firework display.
NAME: Ken Pegden
DATE: 14 January 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
I had dropped out recently so was surprised to see the number of responses [in this thread and 147]. Having entered RAF as a Halton apprentice my first posting was 51 squadron Watton. We had Comets and Canberras. You can imagine my joy to be working on my greatest love, the Comet. I ended my career as a Chief Technician on Lightnings. Before leaving the RAF I was treated to a flight in the T5 trainer going supersonic. Can I thank all who have contributed their memories.
DATE: 14 January 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 1955-57
I had dropped out recently so was surprised to see the number of responses [in this thread and 147]. Having entered RAF as a Halton apprentice my first posting was 51 squadron Watton. We had Comets and Canberras. You can imagine my joy to be working on my greatest love, the Comet. I ended my career as a Chief Technician on Lightnings. Before leaving the RAF I was treated to a flight in the T5 trainer going supersonic. Can I thank all who have contributed their memories.
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