Toomer Farm
TOOMER FARM: Very temporary Landing Ground
Note: The first three maps were kindly provided by Mr Michael T Holder. I added the area view from Google Earth ©
Location: Just S of the A30, about 1nm SW of HENSTRIDGE STATION
Period of operation: 13th April 1911
NOTES: Very much part of the reason for producing this 'Guide' has been trying to record the earliest flying sites. And in this case Mike Holder, a great friend of the 'Guide' really has been a great help in expanding the history of Gilmour's flight(s) in April 1911.
No records appear to exist today of exactly what Mr Graham Gilmour, along with Mr Gordon England, had actually planned - but it certainly was - for those days a very daring aerial adventure. It has been deduced that the original idea had been to fly from the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company's Flying School at LARKHILL, (WILTSHIRE), on Salisbury Plain, at 07.30 on a Bristol Military Biplane powered by a 50hp Gnome rotary engine. (More commonly known as a 'Boxkite').
It would appear that the original objective was to fly to EASTBURY HOUSE to call on Gilmour's friend Mr Farquharson. Then to BOWER HINTON to visit Mr T Squire, ending up landing for a night stop at HINTON St GEORGE. A straight line distance of around fifty miles and with the dog-legs included, let's say seventy miles or so. Given the maximum speed of 40mph for this aircraft, on paper at least easily achievable. But then 'real lfe' got in the way.
Sitting out in the open, on top of the lower wing, use of a map was impossible - and anyway - learning to fly using a map whilst flying takes quite some time. It is a skill to be learnt. They also didn't have a compass, so, hardly surprising, they got lost almost straight away. Ending up at FRYERN COURT near Fordingbridge to ask for directions to EASTBURY HOUSE. They had flown almost directly south instead of south-west.
OTHER ASPECTS
In those days pilots mostly only flew in the early morning and in the evening. When the wind(s) were mostly calm. For a very good reason, given such slow flying speeds, even a small gust could render the aircraft into a stalled condition - and with the extra drag of having two people on board - this could only make matters worse. Without any doubt reducing the airspeed possible.
Also, increased air temperature and altitude have a profound effect on aeroplanes. As both increase three things happen, especially for aircraft powered with piston engines and propellers. In no particular order: First the engine develops less power. Second the propeller produces less thrust, and last but certainly not least, the wings provide less lift.
CONCLUSION
As the day progressed, things were not working out as planned. Leaving EASTBURY PARK in the evening it appears the winds increased, needing to make a landing at HENSTRIDGE STATION. It would then appear that Gilmour was not prepared to attempt taking-off with Gordon England on board in this small field, so an arrangement had been made, to collect him from TOOMER FARM, owned by Lady Theodora Guest, who had a much larger and suitable field available.
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