Penmaen
Note: This map only shows the position of Penmaen village within the UK. If anybody can kindly offer advice regarding a more exact location for the venue, this will be most welcome.
PENMAEN: Temporary aerodrome?
Operated by: British Hospitals Air Pageant
Location: Penmaen village is on the A4118 roughly 8nm WSW of Swansea city centre
Period of operation: 1933 only?
Both these pictures were scanned from the excellent book Cornwall Aviation Company by Ted Chapman and published in 1979.
The caption of the first picture (c/o T. Simpson) reads: "Captain Philips with his Spartan, G-ACAF, at Penmaen, Swansea, which British Hospitals Air Pageant visited in 1933." Captain Philips was the owner and leader of the Cornwall Aviation Company, based in St Austell (CORNWALL), and from 1932 the company participated with at least two of the major 'Flying Circus' tour operators, including the dominant Alan Cobham Tours.
The caption for the second picture (c/o Hon. Mrs Victor Bruce) is: "The Hon. Mrs. Victor Bruce with her Miles Satyr, a one-off design by Miles, built by Parnall's of Yate. Mrs. Bruce or John Pugh flew it in the 1933 British Hospitals Air Pageant." I have no idea where this actual picture was taken, (does anybody I wonder?), but it seems reasonable to suppose that this unique aircraft probably made an appearance here.
I for one certainly admire her snazzy flying outfit - shame it wouldn't suit me! In the background is the de Havilland DH60X Moth G-ABUB, which it appears was, around this time, registered to Sir Alan J Cobham. And he was operating one the biggest 'Flying Circus' Tours, ostensibly in direct competition with the British Hospitals Air Pageant tour. Seems likely that a story can be told here?
Probably that she, and John Pugh also participated with the Cobham Tours. Still, it seems a shame not to find an excuse for including this picture somewhere in this 'Guide'.
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