Sundridge
SUNDRIDGE: Private company aerodrome and factory
Note: The first picture was obtained from historicengland.org.uk The second and third from Google Earth © and the area view is from my Google Earth © derived database.
Operated by: Prince de Bolotoff
Location: Just W of the B2211, about 2.25nm W to WNW of Sevenoaks town centre
Period of operation: Unknown? From 1910 it seems, possibly until 1919?
NOTES: We have Mr Clive Burkinshaw to thank for contacting me with news about this very little known enterprise, from which three sheds, (hangars), still survive. Prince de Bolotoff was, although born in Bulgaria, it appears Russian; his mother coming from Russian aristocracy. The family eventually settled in England.
It seems that no official biography, or for that matter any biography, exists. Information on the interweb is rather scant regarding his involvement in aviation, which rather surprises me, and perhaps non too reliable? It appears he claimed to be the fifth pilot to fly, and that probably applies to France. It is said that he produced Voisin triplanes here, as well as his own design, a two-seater called the SDEB 14. I can find no record of Voisin producing a triplane design, they all being biplanes. (So far!)
Without any doubt he was a gifted designer and engineer, mainly known for work on automobile advances. His factory at SUNDRIDGE being largely devoted to this work until around 1927. One account says that this was when aircraft production ceased, but, I find that very hard to believe - 1919 at most being far more likely? That field, just north of the factory, even today, seems suitable as an aerodrome for those days?
If anybody can kindly offer more advice and information, this will be most welcome.
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
After posting that last request, I contacted Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', to see if he could find anything? His response was way, way beyond anything I could possibly have hoped for. I trust you will agree - quite astonishing.
Article One was published in Flight magazine on the 9th January 1909. The Notice was also published in Flight, but on the 30th September 1911.
The excerpt is from British Aircraft Manufacturers since 1908 by Gunter Endres. Article Two was published in Flight magazine on the 10th February 1912.
Article Three is from Contact - the story of the early birds, by Henry Villard. The photo and caption was published in the Streatham News on the 15th November 1913.
Article Four was published in Flight magazine on the 7th June 1913.
Note: The photo of the SDEB 14 is from Janes. The article in two parts was published in Flight magazine on the 26th June 1914. The photo of Madame de Bolotoff was published in the Tatler on the 16th October 1918.
BUT, THE STORY CONTINUES
NOTES: There are numerable accounts of very odd things happening throughout our aviation history. They still do! The story of G-EAWS is a fine example. The registration actually applied to a Boulton Paul F.9 Mk.2 registered on 21.04.21 and cancelled 15.05.29. It had crashed at CRAMLINGTON in NORTHUMBRIA on the 12th June 1929 and was written off.
Somehow Mr Tom Worsell, living in Kent, presumably in or near Sevenoaks, had acquired the remains and decided to rework them to his own design, which he never registered. As Arthur W J G Ord-Hume describes in his most excellent book, British Light Aeroplanes, the result left a great deal to be desired. Satisfying himself it was capable of undertaking flight tests, he took it to this old aerodrome site to commence trials at some point in the 1930s.
It appears it did become briefly airborne "For a few yards" before settling back on the ground, hitting a ditch and turning over sustaining considerable damage although Worsell himself was unhurt. He did not decide to rebuild it. What interests me, and seems unknown, is if Tom Worsell held a pilots licence? Considering his general approach to his project, probably not?
Just one extra note I would like to add. Looking at the photo of G-EAWS, it appears the tail fin is missing. Or, did Mr Worsell decide that a tail fin wasn't needed?
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