Mexborough and Swinton Times, July 15th,  1932

Sir Alan Cobham’s Team at Broomhill

“Times” Free Flights

Day of Wonders And Thrills

Delighted Readers

“Daddy can I be an airman?”

An ambitious small boy echoed a desire perhaps felt in many a breast of Wombwell on Sunday.  For Sir Alan Cobham’s air display brought to the district a pageant unparalleled in local acquaintance with the air.

Glorious weather, ideal flying conditions and first-class pilots; ‘planes that dived to earth at over 120 miles an hour and missing the ground by feet, zoomed skywards in perfectly vertical “bank”; breath-taking displays by an intrepid wing walker and delightfully polished formation flights – and a freely perspiring crowd enjoying it all.  Stunt followed stunt till the crowd, besides being hot and tired, also had a “pain in the neck,” but didn’t mind.

An impressive fly past of all the machines in the “circus” opened the proceedings.  Led by the two huge three-engine air liners, they roared past the loud speaker coach at terrific speed, closer over the heads of the spectators.  An announcer described the part each would play in the programme.

Aerobatics

Aerobatics, in which perfect inverted loops were performed by Flight-Lieut. Turner Hughes, were the first thrills offered the crowd.  At a height of three thousand feet he fell into a dizzy spin and within a few hundred feet of earth swooped into a perfect loop with a grace that made it orthodox.  It was a delightful example of the artistry of modern aerobatics and even more an example of the nerve which makes a trained airman.

Once again, the pilot banked skywards and rolled his machine repeatedly.  The loops came with the utmost ease – to the pilot it was all part of the day’s work.  There was at least one man who was cool, even at 87 in the shade; most of the watchers preferring the heat.

At a height of two thousand feet, Mr. Martin Hearn manoeuvred himself on to the under-carriage of a red Avro, and hung on the heel with one hand while the ‘plane looped. Even that was not sufficient.  Facing a hundred and ten mile an hour gale this intrepid wing-walker stood on the upper wing of the Avro, while the ‘plane dived towards earth at over a hundred miles an hour, the draught of its passing actually fanning the spectators as it zoomed skywards again.

Modesty and Nerve

The announcer assured the crowd that Mr. Heard was a modest man, and did not like a fuss.  His display was perhaps the most thrilling of the day. Yet scarcely less exciting as the inverted flying.  For periods of more than a minute the machine was upside down, banking at alarming angles and climbing almost vertically.   A little variation was provided by the sight of three high-speed planes missing each other by mere feet while banking almost vertically round pylons at 120 miles an hour. The race in which they partook was over a triangular course, and nine times was this daring feat achieved.

A delightfully polished display of aerobatics was given by a small Comper Swift machine, and not the least exciting of the stunts was this small ‘plane crashing earthwards, at an alarming speed and flashing upwards in an inverted loop which developed into a half roll on top of the loop.  Four times the pilot did this, besides other slow rolls and loops.

Another treat of the display was a display of aerobatics in formation by three different types of machines.  As the machines flew low over the crowd it could be clearly seen that the wing tips were almost locked.  It was work which called for the utmost accuracy of judgement with moves synchronised to a fraction of a second. Then the climax; diving rom a height the machines split into what airmen call “The Prince of Wales’ Feathers,” the centre ‘plane looping and the outer ones banking steeply to left and right.

“Bombing” and Gliding

These were some of the stunts of the pilots with Sir Alan.  There were numerous others.  A modern William Tell swooped from the clouds and with an ordinary service revolver burst small yellow balloons fastened to a fellow-mechanic’s head.  Two Moth ‘planes gave a clever display of “bombing” a moving car; and introduced a touch of humour with “Farmer Giles” and his “wife” endeavoring to flee from “the wrath to come,” and being “bombed” with bags of flour.

For the thirteenth time in the history of aviation a glider was looped by Mr. Longmore. When the cabin was released, the glider seemed to halt in the air before taking an utmost vertical dive to gather momentum for the loop.

During the afternoon and evening hundreds of people took trips in the air, ether in the liners or in the smaller planes.  Some dared the experience of loops, dives, spins and stall turns, performed from a height of 3000 feet. The passengers were not strapped in!  Two perfect parachute descents were made by Mr Ivor Price.

Sir Alan Cobham thought Broomhill an ideal spot for an aerodrome. It was, he said, a natural site. He remarked on the miles of uninterrupted country in the vicinity. At the close of the evening’s proceedings, he thanked the people for their support, and urged them to become more air-minded.’ “You will then be able to fly direct from here to any part of the Continent.” The 15 of our readers who won our free flights found their trip one of the most delightful experiences in their lives.

Readers thanks

Mrs. A. SMITH. of RYHILL. writes: I feel I cannot thank you in words. I never enjoyed anything in my life like the trip I made in the beautiful liner. I feel everybody should make a trip. I felt quite safe. She pays a tribute to the pilots for their remarkable handling of the huge planes.

The aim of the pageant was not wasted on Mr. A. CHADWICK, BOLTON-ON-DEARNE, who says: I think the air is better than the road way, and I enjoyed the trip more than anything I have over been on or in before. He hopes that the other winners were of the same mind.

Mr. A. E. HALL. WOMBWELL, was also surprised at the comfort and beauty of an air trip. He is in the foundry trade, one department of which is engaged in casting engines for ‘planes. Thus, having an insight into “the workings,” Mr. Hall was even more interested than ordinarily.

More-ish

Yet another of our readers who was surprised at the safety and comfort in the air was Miss L. BARKER, WOMBWELL. She says: I would rather go in an aeroplane than the “Big Dipper” at Blackpool. It is much more comfortable, and much more interesting.” She was so pleased with the trip that she immediately booked another in the same liner. Her mother, whom she lives with, has taken the “Times” for over 37 years.

Another life-long reader, Mrs. KELLY, WATH, whose daughter was one of the lucky fifteen, has taken the “Times” for over 40 years. Her daughter was a delighted passenger. As far as she could make out. she passed over her home, and was interested to view the ground from above.

Though the trip did not quite come up to his expectations in the way of thrills, Mr. H. TURNER, BRAMPTON, enjoyed it immensely. It was his first experience of air travel, and he “would not have missed it for anything.” He is very interested in aircraft, and an indication of his “air-mindedness” is the model aeroplane weather vane which stands in his garden.

Mr. L. G. COOPER, WATH, found it “a great sensation whilst banking.” He was yet another who expressed his pleasure at the trip, and like all the other lucky winners did not find it long enough. These are but a few of the tributes we have received from readers who gained our free flights. Many of them took their first flights through the facilities we offered.

Mr. J. ELLIOTT. BOLTON, found his flight a most interesting experience. He was very interested in the panorama of ground that stretched out beneath him, and clearly discerned the various landmarks. One seems to be floating and moving very slowly, but a glance at the fields below shows you that you are moving very quickly.” He was very surprised at the small effort with which the ‘plane seems to be propelled.

GEORGE WEBB, WOMBWELL, found the interior of the air liner similar to a corridor train. We were off quicker than I thought. Then as we rose higher the people looked like flies. I noticed some children paddling below, and one nearly fell in. George had the worst sensation when alighting from the ‘plane. As soon as I got out, I felt I could scarcely stand up. But all the same I enjoyed the ride immensely,

Miss E. WORFOLK, STAIRFOOT, enjoyed her trip very much, and also enjoyed the display.

A striking tribute to air travel comes front Mr. T. BEAUMONT, HOYLAND COMMON: I think it is much better than travelling by ‘bus. I only wish aeroplanes were as common as ‘buses, so that I could fly every day. I have not worked for a considerable time, through a pit accident, but would rather fly in an aeroplane than go down a pit.

Mr. A. CUSHWORTII, HEMINGFIELD, writes: I thank you very much indeed for the flight. It was most enjoyable and only too short.

A similar appreciation comes from Mr. J. AVILL, DARFIELD.

Incidentally might mention that the number of applicants for our free flights was over 800.