A rare visitor to Croydon in the mid-Fifties was CF-ACP, a Cessna 190, or the very similar 195. This post-war product of the Wichita-based company was available either with the Jacobs 300 h.p. engine (195) or powered by a 240 h.p. Continental.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Cessna 190 / 195 Businessliner - СШАUSA - 1947

A common enough sight at Croydon in the Fifties - former RAF Tiger Moths awaiting civil conversion by Croydon-based Rollason Aircraft and Engines Ltd. During the mid-Fifties Croydon was deluged with Tigers; in one month alone more than 100 were ferried in from RAF airfields. Amongst the five Tigers seen here can be seen Proctor 3 G-AMGE, formerly LZ570 with the RAF. Given its first C of A in June 1951, GE was damaged beyond repair at Woolsington, Newcastle in May 1963. Dominating this photograph is Dragon Rapide G-ALAT, formerly RAF Dominie NR775 and soon to be sold in France as F-BHCE - in January 1955.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Dragon Rapide / Dominie / D.H.89 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934De Havilland Tiger Moth / D.H.82 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1931Percival Proctor - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1939

A familiar visitor to many UK aerodromes during the late Fifties and early Sixties was the Fox's Glacier Mints Dragon Rapide G-AIDL, formerly Dominie TX310 with the RAF. Originally registered in September 1946, this grand old lady is still airworthy today and is possibly the sole UK-based Rapide still flying on a commercial C of A.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Dragon Rapide / Dominie / D.H.89 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

Percival Mew Gull G-AEXF at Croydon in the mid-Fifties. During the war the former Alex Henshaw Gull was hidden away in France and was brought back to this country after the war by Hugh Scrope. Throughout the Fifties the Mew was extensively raced by subsequent owners Nat Somers and Fred Dunkerley.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Mew Gull - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

Another Percival aircraft previously owned by Alex Henshaw was this Vega Gull, G-AFEA. It was in this aircraft that Henshaw and his father surveyed the route for the 1939 record Cape flight, made in Mew Gull G-AEXF pictured above. During the war G-AFEA was owned by the Gloster Aircraft company and based al Hucclecote. Post-war the Vega Gull lived at Fairoaks.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Vega Gull / K.1 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

D.H.80A Puss Moth G-AAZP was built in 1930 and spent the first few years of its life in Egypt with Misr-Air work, registered SU-AAC. Today the aircraft is owned by Tim Williams and is kept at Hungerford in Berkshire.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Puss Moth / D.H.80 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1929

Miles M.57 Aerovan Mk 4 G-AILM was first registered in February 1947 and was sold to Lockwoods Flying Services Ltd. In October 1951 it passed to Silver City Airways Ltd and was based at Blackbushe. In December 1954 'LM was acquired by Space Neon Ltd and was used during the following year for night aerial advertising. For this purpose neon lettering was festooned around the aircraft's portly frame, its innards a mass of wires, batteries and associated electrical plumbing. The Aerovan was flown over London and must have been a wondrous sight to behold. It was sold in Greece the same year and became SX-DBA.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles M.57 Aerovan - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1945