Rhyl flying sites
RHYL see also ABERKINSEY FARM
RHYL see also FACHELL FARM
RHYL see also FORYD
RHYL see also KINMEL BAY
NOTE: The map provided here is just for the town of Rhyl and not for any particular flying site
RHYL: Temporary aerodrome
NOTES: Aerial displays by Vivian Hewitt in a Blériot X1 prior to WW1. Possibly from EAST SANDS or KINMEL (the latter being WSW of Rhyl) perhaps? In 1919 over the Easter period the Avro Transport Company gained clearance to fly the public from the beach at RHYL but it seems unclear if they used both EAST SANDS and KINMEL or perhaps just one of these sites.
It is interesting to see the effect of WW1 on inflation, the price of what had been a “five-bob flip” prior to WW1 had risen to a guinea or more in 1919. Over four times the price or more than 400% in statististical terms, the latter sounding much more impressive of course.
RHYL BEACH: Civil 'aerodrome' (Aka RHYL SANDS and RHYL FORESHORE)
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Note: The first item was published in the North Wales Weekly News on the 15th April 1920. The third item was published in the Aberdeen Press and Journal on the 9th August 1920.
Note: The article in The Tatler was published on the 14th April 1920. I have added the Google Earth © view:
Pleasure flights: Avro Transport Co
Location: On the beach east of the pier
Period of operation: 1919 to 1920 only
NOTES: The civil aircraft register was introduced in July 1919, but here we can see aircraft operated by the Avro Transport Company still wearing their military serials in 1920! These aircraft were Avro 504Ks, modified by Avro to take two passengers in the rear cockpit. This type, (including Avro 504N's), remained very popular for pleasure flights by most operators well into the 1930s.
MORE INFORMATION
The article was published in Flight magazine on the 15th April 1920 and the excerpt is from Avro Aircraft by A J Jackson. From these we can see that in 1919 RHYL was being managed by Capt E Maitland Heriot and G B Moxon was managing the operation at Douglas on the Isle of Man.
However, for the 1920 season at RHYL, G B Moxon had formed the Moxon, Brown Company with H A 'Sam' Brown, and they were licensees for the Avro Transport Company, in effect acting as sub-contractors. The Avro Transport Company only lasted for two years but was a huge undertaking in the 'joy-riding' sector operating a fleet, (all Avro of course), of around eighty various types/variants.
CAPTAIN H A 'SAM' BROWN
The photo is from the "A Fleeting Peace" website and the article is from Bing on the interweb. In producing this 'Guide' I soon noticed that various names in our aviation history spanned the period from WW1 to WW2, and this one, 'Sam' Brown, was one of many.
But, what a career! Starting off in civil aviation flying 'joy-riders' from the beach in Rhyl to becoming the test pilot for the Avro Lancaster heavy bomber.
RHYL: Private airstrip?
NOTES: In 1959 the Rhyl Flying Group were listed as associate members of the Association of British Aero Clubs and Centres, the site used being described as RHYL (Private field). Enquiries to a local historian and Library came to nothing. They found no record of anything existing regarding this Group or where they may have flown from. However, given the response since this 'Guide' went live, I fully expect that somebody has the answer?
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