Somerdale
Note: In those days the J. S. Fry's factory was very much in a 'greenfield' location, not much of which remains today with urban sprawl. But, what has surprised me in producing this 'Guide' is how many flying sites used in the 1920s and 1930s, still remain as parkland or similar open spaces. Which is more or less the case here.
SOMERDALE: Private company Landing Ground (Temporary?)
The 1931 map was kindly provided by Mr Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide'. The local view was obtained from Google Earth © and the local area view is from my Google Earth © derived database.
Operated by: Norman Edgar (with permission by J.S. Fry & Sons)
Location: J S Fry's factory sports ground, adjacent to and just SW of the J S Fry's chocolate factory. Which was in Keynsham, N of the A4 and about 3.5nm SE of Bristol city centre.
Period of operation: 13th Sept 1932
NOTES: The circumstances behind this air charter operation might well now be shrouded in mystery but it appears that Norman Edgar entered into some form of agreement with J.S. Fry, (the chocolate manufacturers), to provide some sort of air service. As stated, (starting on the 13th Sept 1932), the first service was to HESTON.
Graham Frost also found this great picture of the de Havilland DH60A Puss Moth, G-ABWZ, on the interweb. As can be seen copyright applies so I do hope that, considering the nature of this 'Guide', I will be allowed to use it? This 'Guide' being basically of a charitable nature and very much my retirement project.
The caption is of interest stating that this was thought to be the first "delivery aeroplane in Britain". It most certainly was not, parcels and mail deliveries often being made by air in the UK prior to WW1. However, if it was meant that this was the first commercial delivery of chocolate by air, then I expect this was probably correct? The advertising manager for J.S. Fry's clearly thought this was correct as he invited sixty journalists to travel across from London to Keynsham to witness the event.
Also, having developed 'anoraky' tendencies since starting this project in or around 2000 or before, what was the other aircraft just seen parked to the right of the Puss Moth? And indeed, were there others attending?
It was first registered 13.06.32 so pretty much brand new in the picture above. I am assuming that it is likely that Norman Edgar operated it until December 1938? What I have discovered is that The Plymouth & District Aero Club registered G-ABWZ on the 9th December 1938, and wrote it off a few days later.
However, Graham Frost has since discovered this information:
ABWZ [CofR 3767] 5.32 to Brooklands Aviation Ltd, Brooklands. (Fitted with Gipsy III #3385). CofA
3487 issued 13.6.32. Regd [CofR 3888] 7.32 to Norman Edgar, t/a Norman Edgar & Co, Whitchurch.
Operated on aerial delivery van services wef 13.9.32 by JS Fry & Sons Ltd from their factory strip at Somerdale; painted in
Fry's Chocolate c/s (pilot F/O WNL Cope).
Loaned by Fry's to Marquis of Douglas & Clydesdale's Houston-Mount Everest Expedition and flown by Air Cdre PFM Fellowes.
Departed Heston 16.2.33 and arrived Karachi 7.3.33; returned to UK 15.5.33.
Operated [7.34] by Edgar's company, Norman Edgar [Western Airways] Ltd, Weston-super-Mare, (Major E Cadbury, MD of Fry's, had an investment in NEWA). Still painted in Fry's Chocolate c/s .35, but removed by 9.35.
Transferred 10.38 to Western Airways Ltd [on take-over by Straight Corporation Ltd]. Regd 9.12.38 to The Plymouth & District Aero Club Ltd, Roborough. Crashed nr Chipping Norton 17.12.38. Regn cld as wfu wef 17.12.38 on census.
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