Stretton-in-Staffs
STRETTON - Temporary aerodrome
Operated by: British Hospitals Pageant in conjunction with Sky Devils Air Circus Tour
Location: Just W of the old A38, roughly 1.75nm NNE of Burton-upon-Trent town centre
Period of operation: 17th June 1934 (Display terminated at mid-point due to fatal crash)
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Here once again we need to thank Mike Holder, a long term friend of this 'Guide', for both discovering this venue and location plus providing the items to illustrate it.
This article, in three parts, was published in the Burton Observer and Chronicle on the 21st June 1934.
The very poor photo was also published in the Burton Observer and Chronicle on the 21st June 1934. However, as Mike points out, the silhouette of St Mary's church has enabled him to locate the crash site.
Article Two was published in the Derby Daily Telegraph on the 3rd July 1934.
The local area and area views are from my Google Earth © derived database.
NOTES: Clearly something more needs to be explained about this crash, but the means to do so had yet to be developed. The Avro 621 Tutor was, to coin a phrase, "tough as old boots". Designed to be a metal replacement for the Avro 504 series, it first flew in September 1929 and was in service as a trainer with the RAF by 1933. If anybody can find a structural flaw in a design, gung-ho RAF student pilots can.
Also, it is virtually inconceivable that such an experienced pilot would have over-stressed the airframe. The whole point of taking passengers up for aerobatic joy-rides is to make the experience thrilling of course, but essentially enjoyable. Not frightening! The idea being to encourage more people to take a flight, not to put them off. Plus, this aircraft was nigh on brand new. Another mystery never to be fully explained.
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
