Gwyn-Faen
GWYN-FAEN: Temporary aerodrome (Aka LOUGHOR)
Operated by: Sir Alan Cobham's 1935 National Aviation Day, No.2 Tour
Location: W of Frampton Road in Loughor, N of the A4240, about 4.5nm E to ESE of Llanelli town centre
Note: Back in 1935 the town of Llanelli was also spelt Llanelly - by the English.
Period of operation: 9th August 1935
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Here once again, we have the indefatigable Mike Holder, such a great friend of this 'Guide', to thank for providing the following items.
The advert was placed in the Llanelli Star on the 3rd August 1935.
This article was published in the Herald of Wales on the 17th August 1935. It amazes me that such 'accidents' did not happen more often.
The schedule set out by Sir Alan Cobham was relentless. Barely a day off in several weeks. Indeed, looking at the planned itinerary, it appears that after commencing on the 1935 Tour on the 12th April , which split into two Tours on the 1st July, the first rest day was on the 28th May. I get the impression that when the Tour displayed at a very popular venue for two days, which didn't happen very often, just six from the start until the Ist July, Cobham probably considered these as being restful!
The short article was published in the Western Mail on the 16th August 1935.
The local area and area views are from my Google Earth © derived database. Mike found the picture of Sir Alan Cobham and his pilots from the National Library of Australia.
NOTES: The picture shows part of his team assembled in front of an Airpeed AS.4 Ferry. As a director of Airspeed Sir Alan commissioned the design for use in his National Aviation Day Tours from 1932 until 1935, and he operated two, G-ABSI and G-ABSJ. Only four were built. There is a general rule in aviation that if a design looks right - it is right. But of course, every rule must have an exception, and the AS.4 Ferry fits the bill perfectly, being a serious contender for the ugliest aircraft ever built?
The ten-seater Ferry was a great STOL performer and did sterling service, especially with the National Aviation Day display tours. As far as I am aware, flying day in and day out, have found not one report of any incident, let alone accident concerning this type.
The 1935 tour commenced on the 12th April at Titchfield Road, Fareham in Hampshire and visited 72 venues before splitting into two Tours on the 1st July. The No.1 Tour went on to visit a planned 88 venues, but the No.2 Tour ventured further north, up to WICK and THURSO, in northern Scotland, with 84 venues planned. The visit to GWYN-FAEN being the 36th venue as the Tour worked its way south in west Wales.
Incredibly to me it seems, virtually all the planned displays took place on time, despite our typically unpredictable weather. But of course, in those days there was almost no controlled airspace to contend with , and, the '500ft rule' had not been applied - which means these days, (or was when I was flying), that flying within 500ft of a person, vessel or structure, is not allowed. Which means, from time to time, 'scud running' below a very low cloud base was quite legal.
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