The reference to Joan Hughes on page 89/30 prompted by the cover photo 89/1 caused Jack Meaden to dig out this photo of the same lady taken in April 1964 as she prepared to fly the Bianchi replica Demoiselle which had been built for "Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines". Doug Bianchi attempted the first flights in the machine but, weighing in at 13 stone, he was only able to achieve a height of five feet so the somewhat lighter Miss Hughes, then an Airways Flying Club instructor, was brought in to do the test flying.
The story has an interesting parallel. As this material was being prepared in late July the Bleriot 80th Anniversary celebrations were taking place. These included a reconstruction of the cross-Channel flight in a restored Monoplane under the supervision of Louis Bleriot's grandson. M.Bleriot was also too heavy to fly the aircraft himself so the task was entrusted to Gloria Pullan who unfortunately had to ditch in the Channel five miles off Dover after losing power. It would appear that, of the two lady pilots, Miss Hughes had the better deal!

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Santos-Dumont Demoiselle - ФранцияFrance - 1907

At least ten Consuls are known to have been supplied to Israel in 1948-49, some of which presumably became military transports. Five more followed in 1951-52 via Britavia. Known sales include G-AHMB (4X-ACO), G-AHMC, G-AHXP, G-AICZ, G-AIIN (indirectly via southern Africa), G-AIOL (4X-ACR), G-AIOR (4X-ACP), G-AIUV, G-AIUW, G-AJAX, G-AJGF, G-AMFJ, G-AMFK, G-AMFL, G-AMFM & G-AMHE. The example shown below, serialled "08", is not identified, but the photo comes from Charles Cain's collection.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Airspeed Consul / AS.65 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

Monospar ST.25 Universal F-AQOL in the markings of the Forces Francaises de l'Atlantique in 1944 (official photo). This aircraft was c/n 67, G-AEZU allocated but ntu, supplied to E.C.Lavanselle 5.38. Can anyone fill in the gaps in its history and its ultimate fate? A sister aircraft F-AQOM c/n 87 was impressed by the RAF (twice!) and is better documented.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Aircraft Monospar ST-25 Universal - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

G-EBHX The photograph shows the prototype DH.53 Humming Bird c/n 98 with its second engine, the 698 cc two-cylinder Blackburne Tomtit. This replaced the Douglas engine originally fitted.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Humming Bird / D.H.53 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1923

The photo of Flying Flea G-AEFV unfortunately had to be cropped to save half this page. It shows the Flea in the Farnborough wind tunnel for testing on 13.8.36, the result of a number of fatal crashes of the type. Reference to A.J.Jackson's "British Civil Aircraft Vol.3", page 38 seems to imply that testing took place after the Goodall crash of 20.9.36, but this photo proves otherwise. Can anyone add to the story: were other Fleas also tested? When did the ban become effective? Did any continue flying? Come to think of it, how about an article on the pre-war Fleas somebody?

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932