View of Skegness Aerodrome, taken on Whit Monday 16.5.32 at the first Skegness Air Pageant. Puss Moth G-AAXX of British Air Navigation Co was being refuelled from pumps which could reach aircraft and road vehicles.

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

Long-term readers may recall a series of investigations into the development of the Moth Minor (Archive p.85/83, and subsequent issues) and the proposition that the prototype was developed from the DH.81 Swallow Moth. Now Peter Green has unearthed original DH drawings of the DH.81 dated 1.1.31 which are unsuitable for reproduction but which Cliff Minney has used as the basis for the drawings shown here. The original drawings were the work of J Phillips and the Swallow Moth was fitted with an 82hp Gipsy IV which gave a maximum speed of 117 mph, increased to 129 mph in the canopy DH.81A version. Without the canopy the resemblance between the DH.81 and DH.94 is marked, but was it merely because the same draughtsman/designer was at work or was there really more to it than that? Perhaps these drawings will reopen the debate?

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Swallow Moth / D.H.81 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1931

The Miles M.75 Aries prototype with test markings G-35-1 finished up on its belly. The side cowling of the port engine appears damaged and the top cover is missing. Does anyone know the details of this incident?
The wheels-up landing actually took place on 22.4.51, on the occasion of a Redhill Dawn Patrol. The elevator downstop bolt had not been locked properly and worked loose in flight. Ian Forbes noted a loss of elevator control and so opted for a high speed landing and kept the undercarriage retracted as a safety measure. Both props were smashed but other damage appears to have been superficial. It was repaired and statically exhibited at Hendon 21.7.51 still as G-35-1, probably having flown there. We do not know exactly when the marks G-AMDJ were applied but it was certainly wearing them at Redhill on 30.11.51.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Gemini M.65 / Aries M.75 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1945

We also have a photograph of a Grunau Baby coded LZ-GD which was used for flying instruction by No.322 (Spitfire) Sqdn at Salzgitter. The Baby was crashed in woodland by Dr Schade, the squadron doctor, who provided the photo, via Herman Dekker.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Schneider Grunau Baby - ГерманияGermany - 1931