Sticker
STICKER: Civil airfield (aka ROCKY PARC?)
Operated by: The Cornwall Aviation Co Ltd, St Austell
Notes: The picture captions are as follows:
Picture One: "Rigging up at Sticker, St Austell"
Picture Two: "Just putting G-EBSE into flying position. Setting up mainplanes at Sticker."
Picture Three: "G-AAAF at Sticker".
Location: Presumably roughly between Grampound Road village and Downderry village. Roughly 2nm WNW of Sticker and about 5nm WSW of St Austell
NOTES: In July 2017 I was contacted by Phil Jacobs who had found three photographs, indicating that they had been taken at 'Sticker' which I didn't have listed on the web-site. Needless to say, I set about making enquiries, but nothing appeared. Except, later, I found there is a book 'Cornwall Aviation Company' by Ted Chapman available on Amazon.
I think these pictures are probably very revealing, as they certainly seem to stem from the period when the Cornwall Aviation Company were setting up in business, possibly in 1924?
It appears, initially at least, that The Cornwall Aviation Company had at least three Avro 504Ks - G-AAAF, G-EBOZ and G-EBSE. This now appears to be totally incorrect. The first aircraft purchased from the Berkshire Aviation Company in May 1924 for £250 was G-EBIZ and that, although later becoming very famous for carrying roughly 69,000 passengers, mostly with Capt. Percival Philips, was their only aeroplane from 1924 until 1926. In 1926 another Avro 504K G-EBNR was purchased and Capt. E. W. Jordan employed to fly it. On the engineering side Mr P Swan and Cyril Poole were employed. As was a former Paignton beach photographer, 'Dick' Turpin who also assisted in mechanical servicing duties as well as providing the company with additional income from hundreds if not thousands of passengers seeking a souvenir of their flight.
In fact it appears that G-EBSE was not acquired until 1927. Therefore it can be questioned if the STICKER site was used before 1927?
A MIKE CHARLTON GALLERY
These four pictures from postcards were kindly sent by Mike Charlton who has an amazing collection: See: www.aviationpostcard.co.uk
NOTES: As can be seen I have had a devil of a job trying to sort out the flying site or more probably sites, used by the Cornwall Aviation in the vicinity of St Austell. And, in my opinion - failed. But where else to place these great pictures?
First picture: This Avro 504K G-EBSE (ex-H2234) was registered to Cornwall Aviation on the 4th July 1927 and was operated by them until being WFU (Withrawn From Use) on the 11th April 1932. On their travels around mostly if not solely England, the pilots carried, (or rather their ground crew carried), a stash of postcards depicting themself as the pilot and their aeroplane to be used as souvenirs for passengers. And presumably charged for? This example was dated Bridlington 17/8/28. Bridlington being in Yorkshire of course.
Second picture: The Avro 504K G-EBNR (ex-F8864) was built by Frederick Sage & Company of Peterborough. It was registered to Cornwall Aviation from the1st March 1926 until WFU (Withdrawn From Use) on the 13th February 1930.
Third picture: This detail strikes me as being interesting in a couple of respects. It appears the pilot saw no need to wear a flying helmet or goggles so presumably the windscreen on this 504K was very effective; or did he don them before taking off? The other apect is the male passenger wearing a hat. Presumably he was told to take it off after the engine was started? Or, was the rear windscreen so effective, this wasn't a requirement? Everybody in those days it seems, felt the need to wear a hat or cap in public, almost regardless of circumstances.
Fourth picture. The Avro 504K G-EBIZ does not appear to have a previous military history, and was the favourite of Capt. P. Philips who was both the boss and leading pilot of Cornwall Aviation. Possibly ordered new from Avro when starting up Cornwall Aviation in 1924? Registered to Cornwall Aviation on the 29th April 1924 it served the company until August 1935.
St AUSTELL: Civil aerodrome
This picture from D.W. Phillips was scanned from the excellent book Cornwall Aviation Company by Ted Chapman published in 1979. The caption is: "The proud owner poses with his immaculate machine whilst two curious boys peer through the hedge. Possibly at Rocky Parc."
User: Cornwall Aviation Company
Location: ?
Period of operation: 1924 to 1933 only?
NOTES: At least three Avro 504Ks (G-EBIZ, G-EBNR and G-EBSE) appear to have been operated from here during these dates by the Cornwall Aviation Co. G-EBIZ, sold to Cornwall Aviation after a pretty busy life with Berkshire Aviation in 1924 for £250, went on to become the most famous ‘joy-riding’ machine in Britain carrying, (it’s hard to believe I agree), 91,000 or so passengers over ten years in harness with Cornwall Aviation alone or so says one author!
Another author who I suspect gives a better account stating that Captain Percival Phillips was working this aeroplane for the Cobham UK Tours organisation carried 91,000 passengers over a fifteen year period. This is absolutely typical of even basic research into aviation history. Wildly varying and very different accounts of ‘so called’ facts. Perhaps, in my ventured opinion, the 91,000 passenger total was the gross number carried throughout the remarkable operational history of this singular aeroplane with the Cornish Aviation Company including a period sub-contracting to the Alan cobham Tours?
AND MORE CONFUSION
This picture from the Philips family has been scanned from the excellent book by Ted Chapman, Cornwall Aviation Company, published in 1979.
Yet more research appears to reveal that the Cornish Aviation Company used another site near St Austell known as ROCKY PARC. See seperate listing.
There is some evidence to support the latter view. For example, Ted Chapman in his excellent book Cornwall Aviation Company tells us that: "Captain Phillips dominated the skies over St. Austell. When an Avro landed at Rocky Parc the children at Trewoon School would say 'Percival's home'. When you look at the position of Trewoon School and coupled with the probability that Cornwall Aviation Company aircraft were invariably approaching the airfield from the east, this seems to make a good case?
However, further research appears to indicate that there were indeed two sites used - STICKER and ROCKY PARC.
Chris Pope
This comment was written on: 2018-11-03 15:54:09Interesting information on the Cornwall Aviation Co Ltd as I followed a recently discovered photo of pilot and passengers (one apparently my uncle) presumably just prior to or following a 'joy-ride'. I assume the large and un-aerodynamic flat hat was removed for the flight! The numbers '0.14' and '98' are written on the print and the 'Post Card' details on the reverse say Vickery Bros. Paignton and Exmouth (very close!)
PAUL KENNARD
This comment was written on: 2019-07-22 19:33:08Hi, I have recently a purchased a glass plate negative of Cornwall Aviation Co, Avro 504 G-EBNR. I would be happy to email you a copy of the image for the website if you would like it? Best regards Paul
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Paul, I would very much like to see this picture. Could you kindly send it as a jpeg. Best regards, Dick
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