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Post by viscount on Feb 21, 2024 11:34:28 GMT 1
S.B.A.C. FARNBOROUGH DISPLAYS 1950 to 1959 A major photo thread dedicated to Don Stephens, 1937-2019, a MGAE founder member in 1956 and compiler of the first two editions of ‘Wrecks and Relics’ in 1961 and 1963.Scattered throughout the 3,500 or so images in the photo collection of Don Stephens, there are images of Farnborough and airfields visited around London during Farnborough week. Unfortunately, not all the images are tied to a location or are dated. Although it is not too difficult to identify and usually date Farnborough show aircraft, it is much more difficult for the likes of Blackbushe, White Waltham, Croydon, Southend, Stansted etc visited during Farnborough week. While the quality of the b&w images is sometimes lacking (indeed, I suspect many were ‘home’ printed), there was a remarkable variety in the aircraft to be seen around London during ‘Farnborough week’. With basic cleaning, the removal of spots and blemishes, some straightening, re-contrasting and re-cropping, what follows is an amazing record of the period. Don was very much a ‘collector’ of aviation photos in addition to using his own camera. Sometimes the source is noted on the reverse of the image, more often not – so it is very difficult to separate his own images from those swopped or purchased from others. For this reason the images are credited to the Don Stephens Collection, but on the rare occasions where identified, GJ Skillen, JD Rawlings, Phil Dale, MJF Bowyer, PHB Phil Butler, RAS Alan Scholefield and MCG are credited in the captions. In addition to the shiny new aeroplanes, there are some shots of out of service ones too, reflecting Don’s interest in wrecks and relics that led to him compiling the first two editions of the MGAE book ‘Wrecks and Relics’ in 1961 and 1963, a title due to appear in its 29th edition in 2024. There are other threads featuring Don’s photos at locations such as Hawarden, Stretton, Burtonwood, Hooton Park, Farnborough 1964 and British Eagle aircraft are to be found elsewhere in the ‘Nostalgia’ section of NWAN. Like the photos on this thread, one of the driving forces behind me making the effort involved is that these images are mostly previously unpublished on either paper or internet. Indeed, I was quite surprised how little detail information regarding individual Farnborough shows there is to be found on a simple internet ‘Google’ search. Indeed, there are surprisingly few photos of the ‘50s decade annual SBAC displays despite the miles of film stock consumed during them! It will take a number of posts as there are around 115 Farnborough images in the ‘50s and around an equal number for the first few years of the ‘60s. Add to that 80 Blackbushe shots, 25 at White Waltham plus other locations, then this thread will become a major one. It has taken several months to clean, organise, add captions and lists; however all is now ready to be brought together here. I can recall the annual lists throughout the 1960s and 1970s in Air Pictorial and Air Britain Digest – however house moves have long since seen to the destruction of those. My own first Farnborough was not until 1968 and first visit with a camera not until 1972. However, I do have all issues of the monthly MGAE/MSAE/MAS ‘Northern Aeronews’ and ‘Flypast’ magazines covering 1956 to 1985 – some Farnboroughs had partial lists, others complete lists yet some years, not even a mention! I will include the ‘Flypast’ list for the years the editor included one. While Don did date some of the images on the reverse of the print, a great number were undated. To date them I have used the two Internet lists linked in the next paragraph, which for the earlier years don’t appear to be comprehensive lists, so the aircraft may have been there on other years apart from those listed in the captions. It is possible that a couple of shots (mainly Canberras) may be publicity shots handed out at Farnborough, rather than of the aircraft at Farnborough! Disclaimers over, let get on with the images. Otherwise on the Internet there are two sites which provide a participants list (although in the earlier years, only partial) of all the SBAC Farnborough Air Displays since the first one in 1948: farnboroughspotter.weebly.com ... Then select ‘Air Shows’ from the header to access individual years. www.scramble.nl/database/show-reports/united-kingdom ... Then scroll down to ‘Farnborough’, then select a year. I suspect that for the 1950s displays at least, the lists share a common source. For further images of Farnborough shows: www.airhistory.net/advsearch ... in 'Miscellaneous' enter 'Farnborough', select a year from the drop-down and click on 'Show Photos' Farnborough Airshow in 1956 - YouTube colour, 3 minutes Farnborough the glory years 1958 - 1959 (youtube.com) colour 24 minutes Farnborough Air Show 1955 (youtube.com) b&w, 13 minutes A more thorough search will likely find others too. Let me know by PM or add a post this this thread if you find other films or Farnborough Show sites that are worth sharing. As I always do at this stage of the introduction post, I invite NWAN members and visitors finding us on a subject ‘Google’, to sit back scroll through and wonder at the delights of aviation in decades past and then revisit a few days later and pick out aircraft and details they did not spot on the first run through. Look out and wonder at the Apollo, Princess, Supermarine 545, Auster B.4, Midge, Ashton, FD.2, Avro 707, Canuk, Seamew, Accoutant etc. There a few notable types missed through – Brabazon, Westminster, HPR-5 Herald being some. |
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Post by viscount on Feb 21, 2024 11:39:32 GMT 1
PART ONE: SBAC FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOWS IN THE EARLY 1950s.
S.B.A.C. FARNBOROUGH 1948  VL522 an Auster N (as noted by Don, although find a reference on the internet to it as an Auster M or more technically as an Auster A.2/45. This was produced as a solution to an Air Ministry request for a new observation and reconnaissance design, however the production contract was awarded to the competing Scottish Aviation Pioneer. This was the first of two prototypes built by Auster. The photo is clearly one acquired, the source is unrecorded. Certainly a little known type. S.B.A.C. FARNBOROUGH 1949  WB310 a Royal Navy marked Firefly AS.4 is listed as being at SBAC Farnborough in 1949.  TS477 a Short Sturgeon TT.2 along with Percival Prince G-ALJA are both known to have participated in SBAC Farnborough 1949. The rear of the print is marked JDRR – John Rawlings presumably. FARNBOROUGH in 1950 A full list of participants in 1950 is provided further down this thread along with a page of small images covering 1950 (after the entry for 1959)  WA621/HX:P Meteor T.7 wearing the unit code of 226 OCU has the information ‘Farnborough 8th July 1950’ written on the reverse of the print. Not an SBAC display, but is included as a Farnborough located image. S.B.A.C. FARNBOROUGH 1951  VX185, a prototype Canberra B.5 attended Farnborough in both 1951 and 1952. Today the main Farnborough runway is ‘24’, either the runway heading has changed with time (and likely has), or the location is not Farnborough! VX185 attended again in 1954, now modified as a mark B(I)8, and when you reach 1954 there is a photo of this aircraft with the off-set cockpit of the B.8. Very likely a give-away publicity shot, rather than an enthusiast’s photo. S.B.A.C. FARNBOROUGH 1952  VV612 a DH Venom 1 attended the SBAC Farnborough show in both 1949 and 1952 at least.  WM166 Gloster Meteor NF.11. The nose logo reads ‘Hawker Siddeley Group’. It is quite possible that this shot is not at Farnborough 1952, although the aircraft is known to have attended that year. There are firmly datable 1954 shots of a Sea Hawk, a Hunter and a different Meteor NF at Farnborough with that nose logo, however WM166 is not listed as being at Farnborough in 1954, so this shot could well be at another place in another year. A well caught action image though.  WN467 EE Canberra T.4 was most certainly exhibited at SBAC Farnborough in 1952, however this could be a publicity shot that Don has acquired, taken elsewhere at another time.  WG240 a prototype, known initially just as the DH.110, it only became the Sea Vixen once a firm order had been placed by the Royal Navy. There is a photo of the Sea Vixen production prototype XF828 in the 1955 post further on. S.B.A.C. FARNBOROUGH 1953  WB188 a Hawker Hunter prototype, which attended Farnborough in both 1951 and 1953.  WB202 another early Hawker Hunter, attended Farnborough in 1953.  G-ALUN the massive Saro Princess flying-boat appeared as a flying exhibit in both 1952 and 1953. Like all these early ‘50s photos, prints that Don gathered together as a teenager the original source is unknown, but it must have been quite a sight and had an impact on the spectators then, just as much as first seeing Concorde or Boeing 747 had on mine or an Airbus A.380 on a generation later.  WJ954 Vickers Valiant B.2 prototype, looking striking in gloss black. Was present at SBAC Farnborough in both 1953 and 1954.  WB771 the Handley Page Victor prototype, also appeared in rather striking Bomber Command black finish. The rear of the print is dated 13th September 1953, although the aircraft was present other later years.   VX770 the Avro Vulcan prototype (note the straight leading edge of the wing) and the upper print is dated 13th September 1953 on the reverse, although the aircraft appeared at several Farnborough shows. No year is known for the lower of these pair of prints.  An interesting formation of the 2 prototype Avro Vulcans and 4 of the Avro 707 aircraft that aided the development programme of this V-bomber. A much photographed formation that I have seen illustrating magazine articles over the years, and appears to have been flown only in 1953. VX777 & VX770 Vulcan with (from Don’s notes) VX790, WD280, WZ736 & WZ774 the Avro 707s.  WV472 Percival P.56 Provost T.1, complete with viewing stand, along with V.I.Ps. Looks more like a publicity give away print than an aviation enthusiast’s photo.  XA177 Auster B.4. The print is dated 13th September 1953 on the reverse, which figures as this aircraft only made the one appearance at Farnborough as XA177. There only was one aircraft built, an attempt by Auster’s to produce a light freighter aircraft with an application for the recovery of battlefield casualties. The clam-shell doors provided access; the twin tail wheels an unusual design feature.  G-AMZN DH.104 Dove. An aircraft that appeared at SBAC Farnborough on multiple occasions: 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958 and 1959. It often features in the background of other shots, but which year this photo of G-AMZN, has not been noted. Neither the Bristol 170 Freighter, nor the Canberra aircraft are of help to pin down a certain year for this image. Indeed, have found a magazine comment that the Dove was the only aircraft type to have attended every Farnborough from the first show in 1948 and then throughout the whole of the 1950s decade.  DHC-2 Beaver 2 G-ANAR – another aircraft that made ‘serial’ appearances at Farnborough, taking part at least in 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956 and 1958. Unusual in that it is the only Beaver powered by a Leonides engine. |
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Post by viscount on Feb 21, 2024 11:50:57 GMT 1
Part Two: FARNBOROUGH SHOWS IN THE MID 1950's
S.B.A.C. FARNBOROUGH 1954 It is quite clear that Don visited the Farnborough show himself on Friday, 10th September 1954 and toured around a number of airfields in the London area, resulting in a fair number of photos, especially at White Waltham, that have that survived the 70 years since. The previous post bringing together collected images is just a ‘warm-up’ for 1954, 1955 and 1956 – years when Don clearly was present and used a camera.  WN360 Fairey Gannet AS.1 of the Royal Navy, the print dated 10th September 1954 on the reverse. I have located an identical Alan Scholefield shot on the internet.   From an earlier generation of Naval aircraft, a redundant Griffon engined Fairey Firefly U.8 WM882, remanufactured to be flown pilotless as a 'drone' for use in missile tests and training. The RN drone colours are red and cream, unlike the RAF with red and yellow on their Meteor U.16s. Given that the media currently report daily on 'aircraft sized' drones used for attack, this is a reminder that drones, with an added ability to return and be used again and again, is no new concept being in successful operation some 70 years ago.  TC-HAK DH.114 Heron prior to delivery to THY of Turkey. Print is dated 10th September 1954. There is an identical, although much tighter cropped Alan Scholefield shot on the internet.  G-ANMH Saro Skeeter    A pristine Westland WS-55 Whirlwind HAR.1, XA171 destined for service with the Royal Navy. Fairly certain these three are all taken in the same year, the final print being dated by Don on the reverse as 10th September 1954. The degree of dampness on the ground varies, so clearly taken at different times during the Show.  Inside the exhibitor’s tent was this unflown, tail boom-less, WS-55 Whirlwind destined to be operated by British European Airways as G-ANFH “RMA Sir Ector” once completed.  XH379 Bristol 173 Mk.3 (later to evolve into the Belvedere). This print has suffered considerable surface scratching. The worst has been cleaned off, but it remains a badly marked photo. Dated 10th September 1954 on the back.  This shot being identified as 1954 as both Sea Hawk WN107 and Gloster Javelin WT827 were present that year. Of note is the ‘Hawker Siddeley Group’ logo on the Sea Hawk’s nose. Elsewhere on this 1954 post there is a Gloster Meteor NF and a Hawker Hunter wearing the same logo.  Another Gloster Javelin present in 1954 was WT636  WN909 a Hawker Hunter F.2 was shown at the 1954 SBAC Display.  ...... as was Hawker Hunter WT681 a production Hunter F.1   G-ANSO Gloster Meteor T.7 demonstrator. The year is confirmed by the aircraft being in the background of some Whirlwind images above. The aircraft started life as a mark F.8, but when fitted with the nose from a T.7 retained the taller ‘square top’ tail of the single-seat variant.  WS848 Gloster Meteor NF.14. This photo is credited to ‘MJFB’, so Michael Bowyer. With no background, it is possible that this shot is not taken at Farnborough, however it is recorded that the aircraft attended the 1954 show. There is a similar Alan Scholefield shot on the internet.   WW569 DH.112 Sea Venom NF.21, another 10th September 1955 dated shot. The DH.104 Dove behind, G-AMZN was in the static for most years between 1949 and 1954. A better shot of this aircraft can be found with the 1952 images. The second, lower, image of WM569 is undated, but very likely also 1954.  The print is dated 13th September 1953, but WX791 does not appear on the list for that year, but was there in 1954! WX791 was a production DH.112 Venom NF.3. In 1954 the civilian schemed Chipmunk beyond should be G-ALWB, while in 1953 the type had been represented by WZ884, an RAF example.  XE824 is a production DH.115 Vampire T.11  Production Canberra B.6 WJ771 with large registration applied in a large format. The camouflaged tail beyond is that of a Bristol Freighter destined for the Pakistan Air Force.  WJ820 is a production Canberra PR.7, with a much smaller presentation of the serial.  VX195/P Canberra B(I)8. Although the print is dated by Don as 1952, this aircraft was at Farnborough in 1951 with a standard B.2 production nose (and is illustrated earlier in 1951 in this guise) then appeared again in 1954 as the prototype B(I)8, with the distinctive off-set canopy of that mark. Suspect that this is a publicity give-away shot, rather than a photo taken at Farnborough.  VX138 is a Supermarine 545, effectively a ‘proof of concept prototype’, leading to the production Scimitar naval aircraft. This print is dated 10th September 1954 on the reverse, the aircraft also being in attendance at the 1955 and 1956 SBAC displays.  G-39-1 The prototype Folland Midge was exhibited in 1954, in subsequent years this appeared at Farnborough in the form of the Folland Gnat F.1 and ultimately the Folland Gnat T.1, the initial mount of the RAF’s ‘Red Arrows’ team.  As the registration cannot be deciphered, it cannot be established exactly in which SBAC year this photo was taken. A Shackleton MR.2 in the maritime patrol colours of the mid ‘50s on the flight line. If it does date from 1954 it is WR969.   VX158 is probably not instantly recognisable by most – it is a Short SA.4 Sperrin. Apparently produced as a ‘back-up’ design should the Canberra fail to live upto expectations. The two Sperrins, with an unusual arrangement of the jet engines went on to become engine test beds as new engines were developed. The upper shot is dated 10th September 1954, the lower shot appears identical to a cropped Alan Scholefield photo dated 10th September 1955.   Avro built 6 Avro Ashtons, heavily modified from the final unsold Avro Tudor transport aircraft to serve as development platforms. The upper (unfortunately rather damaged) shot is certainly WB492 and dated 10th September 1954, the other is assumed to be the same aircraft and year. The aircraft clearly shows that Avro came up with an alternative arrangement to Shorts as how to house 2 jet engines as a pair in a single nacelle.  The mid 1950s was a significant period for development of the jet engine as airframe designers demanded more power, greater reliability and lower fuel consumption. Evidence of this was to be seen at Farnborough Shows as the latest jet engines and turbo-prop developments were displayed. An early Canberra B.2 WD952 was fitted with Bristol Olympus 102 engines, developed initially for the Avro Vulcan and set a FAI height record of 63,688 ft (19,406m) on 4th May 1953, later re-set by the same aircraft at 65,876ft on 29th August 1955. WD952 became a Farnborough regular 1952 to 1955, however was destroyed after engine failure on take-off from Filton 9th April 1956. Which year this is, is not known and possibly is a publicity shot, rather than at Farnborough.  Another engine test-bed that appeared only in 1954, an early Airspeed Ambassador, G-AKRD was powered by the Bristol Proteus engines under development for its Bristol Britannia airliner.    Undated and quite possibly different years. Armstrong Whitworth AW.55 Apollo VX224/15 was a regular sight in the Farnborough ETPS compound through the later 1950s. The top photo is marked MJFB, presumably Michael Bowyer, and could be an earlier year than the other two, while for the lower image there is a very similar R Scholefield shot dated 11.09.54 elsewhere on the internet.  G-14-1 is further type unlikely to be instantly named by most. G-14-1 is a Short Sherpa. This aircraft appears in other years, so this may, or may not be included in the correct section.  XA213 The ungainly and unloved Short Seamew AS.1 developed as a training aircraft for carrier borne operations. More shots of this apparently difficult to fly, so rather unloved type follow in coverage of the 1956 Show. So unloved that every single one was scrapped, not a single one escaping to become a Museum exhibit!  WW393 a production P.56 Provost T.1 for the Royal Air Force.  WZ664 an Auster AOP.9 destined for service with the British Army. S.B.A.C. FARNBOROUGH 1955  As an introduction to the Farnborough 1955 images, an over-view of part of the static display and airfield. In the distance a BOAC Comet, in the near-ground a Canberra and a single seat fighter, seemingly WR407 a Venom FB.4 which does not appear in any lists I consulted. Subsequently looked harder at the DH.113 Venom FB.4 to find it is actually WR4 97 and with the Swedish Pembroke fix the year as 1955 with absolute certainty.  added 3/24  As the annual Farnborough being a show-piece event for the British aviation industry and hosted by the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC), participation in the 1950’s was very strictly limited to British designed aircraft. Due to the involvement of AV Roe in the design of a Canadian built aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force, in 1955 the participation by two Avro CF-100 Canuk aircraft 18321 and 18322 provided much interest to the British enthusiast. Although the central shot is credited to DDRR, John Rawlings, it is clear Don visited on Saturday, 10th September 1955, the upper shot being in negative form only in the collection, so is scanned direct to digital.   added 3/24The initial shot I found of Percival Pembroke 'Swedish 14' certainly appeared to be an SBAC Farnborough display, but putting a date to it provided a headache. Initial paper sources consulted stated that Swedish 83012 was at Farnborough in 1955, no source quoting an externally worn code for the aircraft. The answer is that Swedish Pembroke ‘14’ is for certain the aircraft identified by (tiny) serial 83012. The lower shot is scanned from a Don Stephens negative, the upper one scanned from a b&w print.  WZ365 a production Vickers Valiant B.1, the first of the British V-Bomber types to enter squadron service with the Royal Air Force.   added 3/24EE Canberra T.4 WT489 exhibited at the 1955 SBAC Farnborough. Very similar compositions, the lower shot is scanned from negative, the upper from a print. I don't have the editing skills to erase (or add) the guy who got in the way!  EE Canberra B(I)8 on a print dated 10th September 1955  Gloster Javelin – without a readable registration the year of this photo is not certain, but is probably 1955, although possibly the year before.   added 3/24Hawker Hunter WT760. On the upper print, the tail of the CF-100 identifies the year as 1955 - the lower shot is scanned from a negative.  added 3/24Another Hawker design in production in 1955 was the Sea Hawk, freshly off the production line and bearing the Hawker Siddeley Group logo, XE443 a Sea Hawk FGA.6. This image is scanned directly from a negative, rather than from a print.  By the time of the 1955 Farnborough, the design of the DH.110 had been refined and a prototype for the production aircraft exhibited. XF838 being exhibited as a DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.20 – although this was changed and the aircraft entered service with the Royal Navy as the Sea Vixen FAW.1. Elsewhere on the internet have located an identical RAS – Alan Scholefield photo.   added 3/24Even with the Sea Vixen progressing towards entry into service, de Havilland were still exhibiting their DH.112 Sea Venom FAW.21, with WW219 on display. Top is a 2024 scan from a 1955 print, lower is a 2024 scan direct from the original negative.  added 3/24A further type in Royal Navy service, XA349 Fairey Gannet AS.1 (unless modified). Scanned directly from a negative.  The Avro Shackleton had been re-designed to produce the Shackleton MR.3, immediately recognisable by the tri-cycle undercarriage arrangement. WR970 the first production MR.3, seen on 10th September 1955. There is a ‘cropped’ version of this credited to Alan Scholefield on the internet.  Blackburn B.101 Beverley C.1. Although the type had been shown at Farnborough in previous years it was marketed as the Blackburn Universal. Here though clearly marked as a Blackburn Beverley, but still with the manufacturers, so it is likely this shot is an early production XB263, displayed in 1955. Although on further consideration, the wet ground matches some of the 1954 shots, as all the other 1955 shots are dry.   added 3/24 moved from 'year unknown', 3/24The top two can be made out to be XJ364 a production Bristol Sycamore HR.14. With the shots taken in bright morning light, with on the lower print the dark side of the aircraft leaving little chance of a black serial being identifiable. However on closer inspection, as the sun is directly on the nose so the shadow underneath the aircraft, the paint scheme should show better than it does. Member 'Acklington' offered a possible solution, suggesting that the b&w film used is 'orthocromatic' film-stock (which does not have the same colour/tone qualities as later standard b&w film does), so the dark shade is being produced by an all yellow 'Rescue' paint scheme - as would be used on an ASR Sycamore HAR.12 or HAR.14. A suggestion (for now) scuppered by no ASR example being on the internet lists as displayed at Farnborough, just early machines or transport HC.12/14s (so perhaps an HC. aircraft painted as an ASR one?) - anyone able to solve this one? Well, maybe I just have. I've discovered a Don Stephens negative from 1955 identifiable as XJ364 and once scanned directly to digital, find it is clearly exactly the same shot! On the extreme left of the image a set of steps up into van appear on both images, plus a host of other 'spot the features' matching up. The dark shot I can now place as 1955, no complex explanations, just blame the bright sunlight and settings on a fairly basic Box Brownie camera, coupled with 'calculated guesswork' dark-room processing from negative to print against a more sensitive Canon scanner producing a much wider range of greys from the same negative, a small matter of just 70 years later! An unexpected result.   RF533 a Lincoln with a radar nose in place of the forward turret. The upper photo is dated 09.09.55, although RF533 is first noted there on the 1956 listing, while the Varsity WF374 does not appear on lists until 1959 but could have been there earlier! The Lincoln ended its days being burnt in the Stansted Fire School compound. |
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Post by viscount on Feb 22, 2024 11:52:40 GMT 1
Part Three: S.B.A.C. AIR SHOW, FARNBOROUGH 1956  A Twin Pioneer exhibited by Scottish Aviation in full Swissair scheme without a visible registration, but soon traced to be a Farnborough regular, G-AOEO.  DH.106 Comet C.2 XK695, print attributed to Phil Butler and dated 7th September 1956 (Friday)  G-AMZN DH.104 Dove 8 demonstrator and a regular at Farnborough Shows through the 1950’s – dateable to 1956 by the tail ‘695’ of a Comet in the background.  A Hawker Hunter, again the print dated by Comet ‘695’ in the background.  XA764 Gloster Javelin FAW.4  Fairey FD.2, WG774 – there is a heavily cropped version of this image by Alan Scholefield on the internet. This shot illustrates a feature of the FD.2 which would later to be used to make Concorde viable to land at civil airports - the 'drop-snoot' nose that enable the pilots to gain forward visibility for landings.   G-37-1 an Avro Lincoln fitted with a Rolls Royce Tyne on the nose. The power of this engine being developed for the Vickers Vanguard airliner was demonstrated with a low pass powered only by the single Tyne, the other four engines with idle feathered propellers! Impressive.  DH.114 Heron ‘393’ shortly to be delivered to the Iraq Air Force  Further evidence of the success of the British aviation industry in sales exports, Folland Gnat F.1 GN101 prior to delivery to the Finnish Air Force.  XB286 a production Blackburn Beverley demonstrating just how quickly it was possible to load a troop of soldiers for delivery to the battlefield.  The Beverley was not the only battlefield troop transport at Farnborough in 1956, also present, although not part of the official display (as it was not British built), was Fairchild C-119C 12611 (51-2611) of the USAF which at the time was on loan for trials at Farnborough and during Farnborough week took journalists up for air-to-air photography opportunities. The high wing, 4-engined airliner over on the right edge in the background is the original HPR Herald, before being fitted with just a pair of RR Dart turboprops.   Fairey Firefly U.9 WB257. The ‘U’ designation and the red and cream colour scheme showing that it had been converted to be flown pilotless as a drone for target-tug duties or missile development work, although alternatively could still be flown by a pilot. I have moved a photo of a Firefly U.8 from here to the correct year, 1954.  The serial XE730 is applied to an ML U-102D drone. Photo credited to PHD – Phil Dale.  A Supermarine Swift F.4 dated 1956, so should be WK296 the only one listed as present that year.  Auster AOP.9 XK417 for the British Army. There is a heavily cropped version of this image entered onto the internet by Alan Scholefield.    Shorts were still pushing their Seamew, presumably looking for export opportunities as it was already clear that the Royal Navy were not pleased with the flying characteristics of the type. Several shots here of XE174. There are so few photos of this type around the internet, I have included a rather damaged print that has proved impossible for me to clean up properly. Again, no apologies for two rather similar images and photos of the Seamew are few and far apart!  In contrast this Percival Jet Provost T.2 was at the start of a very successful sales Jet Provost/Strikemaster story. The marks G-23-1 were used on a series of aircraft, this though is certainly the first Jet Provost to wear these marks, later becoming XN117 for trials and, by now as a Jet Provost T.3 with ejector seats, used the marks G-23-1 again in 1958. The marks G-23-1 appeared at Farnborough again in 1961, but on a Sudanese Jet Provost T.51.  There are surprisingly few shots in the Don Stephens Collection of the aircraft to be seen at locations around Farnborough airfield that were not part of the SBAC Air Display. Here though is the prototype Vickers Varsity VX828 marked as ‘12’ of the Empire Test Pilots School, along with a Fairey Gannet in the ETPS compound. VX828 is first recorded in 1955 on the internet lists, and survived until 1962. This photo is dated by Don Stephens as being 1956. While there may be just the one photo to illustrate the non-show aircraft around the airfield, I have found this article itemising all the non-show aircraft in 1956, but as all the MGAE members were expected to know all the show exhibits, none were mentioned! FARNBOROUGH BACKGROUND - 1956 From the very first edition of 'Merseyside Aeronews', Merseyside Group of Aviation Enthusiasts' in November 1956 As the aircraft attending the SBAC Show are well documented elsewhere, this article is an attempt to list all aircraft at Farnboro' not participating in the SBAC show:
VX224 A.W. Apollo XG496 DH.104 Devon WF212 Hawker Sea Hawk
NX676 Avro Lancaster 7 G-ALYS DH.106 Comet WF284 Hawker Sea Hawk
RF533 Avro Lincoln (radar nose) WZ451 DH.115 Vampire T.11 WV910 Hawker Sea Hawk
SX971 Avro Lincoln (Derwent test-bed) WZ475 DH.115 Vampire T.11 WN960 Hawker Hunter
VX790 Avro 707 WD947 EE Canberra WT572 Hawker Hunter
WZ744 Avro 707 WE146 EE Canberra G-AGEP Luton Minor
WB491 Avro Ashton WH776 EE Canberra WV425 P.56 Provost
TJ717 Buckmaster - remains only WJ582 EE Canberra WV577 P.56 Provost
WB781 Blackburn YA-7 WJ867 EE Canberra WV710 P. Pembroke
WB788 Blackburn YA-8 XA515 Fairey Gannet C/no. F9335 WB920 Slingsby Sedburgh
XH682 Bristol Sycamore VW414 Gloster Meteor VX828 Vickers Varsity
WB549 DHC-1 Chipmunk WA638 Gloster Meteor XJ729 WS-55 Whirlwind
WD331 DHC-1 Chipmunk WK660 Gloster Meteor G-ADYS Aeronca C.3
G-AMCM DH.82 Tiger Moth WL488 Gloster Meteor 51-2611 Fairchild C-119C - USAF
VP959 DH.104 Devon TG618 HP. Hasting XB476 Hiller HTE-2
VP979 DH.104 Devon G-ALEV HP Hermes V VX154 Fi-156 Storch - remains only
XA879 DH.104 Devon
Visitors on Friday 7th September 1956:
G-AMRN DH.104 Dove VR189 P. Prentice XD818 V.Valiant - all white, low flypast.
TV959 DH.98 Mosquito
Sorry, table compiled on a wide screen PC monitor, will distort on an 8x5 ratio screen, mobile etc. |
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Post by viscount on Feb 23, 2024 10:10:38 GMT 1
Part Four: S.B.A.C. FARNBOROUGH 1957 Although by 1957 the participant lists available on the internet (and linked to on the initial post of the thread) have improved, I thought it might be of interest to repeat here, the list as produced at the time. The format differs from the way a 'check-list' would be produced today as it provides not just registration and type, but also notes about any significance of the airframe and about the type in general. FARNBOROUGH S.B.A.C. DISPLAY 1957 As listed in 'Merseyside Aeronews', Merseyside Group of Aviation Enthusiasts, October 1957, edited by C.P.Whalley. Slight editing when retyped 2024, mainly to shorten back to one line. Have left in comments, even if history shows they never materialised. Aircraft on Display. Flown unless otherwise stated:
G-ATEL ATL-90 Accountant (ex G-41-1) Prototype. A newcomer to the show. No aircraft have yet been sold, but several firms are interested
in acquiring manufacturing licences. Aviation Traders have no factory big enough to produce the type themselves.
G-APHT Auster C.6 Atlantic Another newcomer, this prototype shown inside the marquee. Tri-cycle undercarriage, Continental E-185 engine.
Some features of the aircraft test-flown on the Auster J/5T.
VX770 Avro Vulcan Prototype, Conway engine test-bed - possible pointer to powerplant for future marks?
VX777 Avro Vulcan Prototype, modified as B.2 prototype with thinner wings of greater span and area and Olympus 200 series engines.
XA889 Avro Vulcan B.1 First production Mk.1
XB262 GAL.65 Beverley C.1 In the static park. Arctic markings. An early production example used for both winterization and tropical trials.
G-AMWI Bristol Sycamore 4 Bristol's usual demonstrator
XF785 Bristol 173 First prototype, previously marked G-ALBN. New rotors and tail.
4X-AGB Bristol Britannia 313 The 2nd aircraft for El Al. In the static park. El Al have ordered a 4th aircraft, taking total sales to 71.
G-ANLO DH.106 Comet 3 With various mods to bring it nearer to a Mk.4 standard. Shown in the new BOAC blue fin colour scheme.
BEA's order for 6 x Mk.4B aircraft was announced shortly before the display opened.
G-AMZN DH.104 Dove As usual. In the static park.
XJ475 DH.110 Sea Vixen F(AW).1 2nd production aircraft, built at Christchurch.
G-APEV DH.114 Heron As usual. In the static park.
L-160 DH.115 Vampire T.55 Lebanese Air Force markings. Static only.
XH234 EE Canberra B(I)8 Standard RAF aircraft, English Electric built.
WK163 EE Scorpion-Canberra Or more correctly Double Scorpion Canberra. Now (so far unofficially) holder of World Altitude Record.
WH713 EE Olympus-Canberra Has replaced the crashed WD952. Like the Comet 3, has had engine silencers fitted.
VN813 EE Spectre-Canberra The 2nd Canberra prototype, now with RR Nene engines and converted by Folland who have a 2nd a/c being converted.
WF909 EE Gyron Junior-Canberra Previously the Rolls-Royce Avon test bed, now has a Gyron Junior in port nacelle and Avon in the other.
WG760 EE P.1A The P.1's first appearance on the ground at Farnborough
XA847 EE P.1B Lightning F.1 Flying. A model of P.1B was shown with two Firestreaks mounted on launchers projecting from the fuselage sides.
XG787 Fairey Gannet 4 (type Q) C/no. F9355, Ringway built. For the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), static park.
XG889 Fairey Gannet 5 (type Q) The 8th production T.5, in the flying display.
VT413 Fairey Firefly U.9 C/no.F8313. In the static park.
WG774 Fairey FD.2 (type V) Only the first prototype at the show this year.
XK740 Folland Gnat F.1 MoS aircraft, flown in the display. The MoS have ordered some Gnat trainers for evaluation to replace Vampires.
GN101 Folland Gnat F.1 1st for Finland. Static display, yet to be flown. The first Gnat for India (G-39-3) has flown, but not present.
XA918 HP Victor B.1 2nd production machine
G-AODF HP(R).3 Herald 2nd prototype. No definite orders yet for either the Leonides Major or Dart engined Herald have yet been signed.
XF310 Hawker Hunter The Fireflash Hunter, second year at Farnborough, now in RAF markings
XF378 Hawker Hunter Development aircraft with Firestreaks, 2 Aden guns and a special Air Interception radar
XE587 Hawker Hunter Aircraft recent demonstrated to the Swiss Air Force with tail brake-parachute and 660 galls underwing fuel tanks.
XK147 Hawker Hunter Static. Standard late production a/c with saw-tooth leading edges.
XK148 Hawker Hunter Flying. Standard late production a/c with saw-tooth leading edges. Fitted with 36 x 25lb R.P.s under its wings
XJ615 Hawker Hunter T.7 Prototype. India placed an order for 100 F.6 and T.7 aircraft during the week.
XF833 Hawker Hunter Rolls-Royce thrust-reversal test bed (initially the P.1066 Mk.6 prototype).
A92-68 GAF Jindivik Displayed in the guided missiles section. Faireys are European agents. The first Australian built a/c SBAC.
WT841 Gloster Javelin T.3 Prototype, appeared in the static.
XA632 Gloster Javelin FAW.4 Fitted with Firestreak missiles, in flying display.
XH710 Gloster Javelin FAW.7 In flying display
G-AHDM HDM-105 Caravan An Aerovan with Hurel-Dubois high aspect ratio wings. The HDM-106 production version may be built in France
G-35-4 Miles M.100 Student Prototype. Will not be used by the R.A.F., but at least one overseas air force is interested.
G-23-1 Jet Provost T.2 Flew. The T.3 (a Mk.2 with ejector seats) has been ordered for R.A.F. use.
G-AOUS Jet Provost T.2 An armed version, appeared in the static.
AS-554 Percival Pembroke Full West German Air Force colours, in the static display
G-AOJG Percival President In the static display,
XL930 Percival Pembroke C.1 A standard production RAF aircraft was flown
XL666 SA Pioneer CC.1 C/no. 137 statically displayed. The Pioneer is now out of production, but more can be made if required.
G-AOEO SA Twin Pioneer Flew.
XL966 SA Twin Pioneer 1st for the RAF appeared on the ground. The RAF have 20 aircraft on order. Can carry 1,000lb of bombs externally.
XD145 Saunders-Roe SR.53 Flying. Firestreaks at wing-tips, cine gun in nose.
XD151 Saunders-Roe SR.53 Static. Evaluation batch of F.177/277 fighter versions may still be ordered and the type may fly for the Royal Navy.
G-AMTZ Saro Skeeter Mk.6 Now a Mk.6, with rocket boost and 2 stretcher carriers, flown.
XK773 Saro Skeeter Mk.10 With a metal rotor, flown.
XD218 Supermarine Scimitar F.1 Standard production aircraft for the Royal Navy, with underwing tanks
G-AOUJ Fairey Ultra-Light Helicopter either the 2nd a/c ex XJ930 or the 5th aircraft.
G-AOUK Fairey Ultra-Light Helicopter 4th prototype. Little heard with regard to sales or licence production by Piasecki.
PH-VID V.803 Viscount 4th aircraft for KLM, fleet name "Otto Lilienthal". Static only.
XA918 V.758 Valiant B.1 Last Valiant built. Static.
G-AKTW WS-51 Widgeon RN have awarded a contract to convert some of their Dragonflies to Widgeon standard. New order for Brazilian Navy.
G-AOCZ WS-55 Whirlwind 2 With Leonides Major engine and modified tail book
XK941 WS-55 Whirlwind HAS.7 Anti-submarine version with weapons bay under the fuselage
XL722 S-58 Wessex U.S. built aircraft, now with a Napier Gazelle engines
OTHER AIRCRAFT SEEN LYING AROUND THE AIRFIELD INCLUDE:
VX224 A.W. Apollo WD769 Meteor NF.11 VR189 P. 40 Prentice
NX676 Avro Lancaster XA547 Javelin WV425 P.56 Provost T.1
TJ717 Buckmaster - remains XA550 Javelin WV577 P.56 Provost T.1
WB781 Blackburn YA-7 TG618 Hastings WK194 Swift
WB788 Blackburn YA-8 TG619 Hastings WK195 Swift
XH682 Bristol Sycamore WD480 Hastings VX828 Varsity
WB549 DHC-1 Chipmunk XJ831 HPR. 5 Marathon WF381 Varsity
WD331 DHC-1 Chipmunk WA690 Meteor T.7 VW 218 Viking
XA879 DH.104 Devon WF284 Hawker Sea Hawk WP203 Valiant
G-ALYS DH.106 Comet WV910 Hawker Sea Hawk WG662 Dragonfly
G-ALYU DH.106 Comet WT572 Hawker Hunter WV202 Whirlwind
WE471/L DH.112 Venom WT621 Hawker Hunter G-ADYS Aeronca
WD943 EE Canberra G-AGEP Luton Minor VX154 Fi. Storch-remains only
WT308 EE Canberra LZ558 P.34 Proctor XB388 Avenger
WD765 Meteor NF.11 S.B.A.C. FARNBOROUGH 1957  Aviation Traders ATL-41 Accountant, G-ATEL print dated 8th September 1957. A ‘Dakota’ replacement that promised much, but in the event never delivered. One of only a few times the CAA permitted the allocation of an ‘out of sequence’ registration – it was not until 1974 that the tight sequential rule was relaxed.  4X-AGB Britannia 313 ready for delivery to El Al, Israel  The composite powered (rocket and jet engine) Saunders-Roe SR.53 XD151 at Farnborough in 1957. One of two research SR.53’s, the dual power proposal became a development ‘dead-end’. This is an uncropped version of a Alan Scholefield photo on the internet.  G-AOUS (57-59) Jet Provost T.2 demonstrator  XG787 Fairey Gannet AS.4 destined for the Royal Australian Navy. A cropped version of this Alan Schoefield image appears on the Internet.  AS-554 Pembroke, an export sale for the West German Air Force  4 x 705 Squadron, Royal Navy Whirlwinds performing a ‘square dance’ style routine together. Most likely in 1957.  (G-ALEV) HP Hermes V. First noted in a 1956 list, the print is dated 1957 by Don Stephens.  An entire cocooned, complete Comet 1. By the 1960s there were several cocooned fuselages lying beside the pressure testing tanks, but not with their wings. Comet G-AOJT was noted in one of the internet display reports as being there, cocooned, in 1957. Unknown if this photo was 1957 and indeed IF the identity of this Comet I is actually G-AOJT. Another reference states G-AOJT, ex F-BGNX was broken-up in fatigue tests at Farnborough 8.56 (so would not be complete in 1957). The MGAE lists give G-ALYS as being there in 1956 and G-ALYS and G-ALYU as there in 1957, but no mention of G-AOJT. I'm placing this photo here, probably in the wrong year and certainly with no registration to ‘pin’ an identity on it. |
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Post by viscount on Feb 23, 2024 10:36:08 GMT 1
Part Five: S.B.A.C. FARNBOROUGH 1958 Although only two of the prints appear to be at Farnborough 1958, I’ll copy the full magazine report to provide details of the aircraft present. I suspect that 1958, 1959 and 1960 were years while Don was studying, the start of the new term curtailing long expeditions to the South-east in early September. Then in the early ‘60s at least two trips to Farnborough were day-return trips by air from Speke to L.A.P., with a hire-car to Farnborough, suggesting that he was in employment. He was certainly teaching by 1964/65, when I first came to know him. Before commencing a new thread for Farnborough 1960-1963 (there already is one for 1964), I’ll post a number of photos from 1955-1957 taken on what became known between enthusiasts as the ‘Farnborough Circuit’. FARNBOROUGH 1958  CC+063 Sycamore Mk.52, one of 50 supplied to the West German Air Force 1957-59 and retired from service 1972-73.  A Scout, print dated on the reverse 9/57 – however no Saunders-Roe (Saro) P.531 Scouts were present - the first year that the type was shown at Farnborough was in 1958 when 2 civil registered helicopters were present G-APNU and G-APNV, the first and second prototypes. In 1959 a yet to perform it’s first flight G-APVM – the 2nd Mk.2 aircraft was in the static park, with another, the first Mk.2, G-APVL, in the flying display. This photo could easily be either 1958 or 1959. FARNBOROUGH 1958 The participants as listed in 'Merseyside Aeronews', edited by C.P.Whalley, Merseyside Group of Aviation Enthusiasts, issue for October 1958.
G-37-3 AS.57 Ambassador Flying test-bed for RR Tyne engines (ex G-AKRD). G-ALZR is also being converted to this standard.
EP-AIJ Auster J/5L Aiglet Tr. One of a batch of 15 for the Iranian National Civil Aviation Club. Flown by Harold Porteous
G-APAR Auster J/1N Alpha Crop spaying aircraft for Crop Culture - aerial spraying demonstration - using lavender water, not insecticide!
VX770 Avro Vulcan Flying test bed with Conway engines
XA892 Avro Vulcan B.1 Performed a demonstration loop - part of the LABS bombing procedure
XH533 Avro Vulcan B.2 The first production B.2 variant
XK486 Blackburn B.103 (NA.39) First prototype. Flypasts only, operating from Boscombe Down. Had f/f 30.04.58. 20 pre-production ordered.
CC-063 Bristol 171 Sycamore 52 Standard production aircraft, for the West German Luftwaffe.
XG447 Bristol 192 Belvedere Prototype production aircraft for RAF. Had f/f 05.07.58.
G-APOS DHC.1 Chipmunk 23 Agricultural conversion of the Chipmunk T.10 by DH and Fison-Airwork. The second prototype conversion.
G-ANAR DHC.2 Beaver 2 The one and only Mk.2 (Leonides-powered) Beaver. Not at SBAC '57, maybe the Army have renewed interest.
G-AMZN DH.104 Dove 6 DH's demonstrator aircraft. The Dove is the only time to have appeared in every SBAC Show since the War.
G-ANLO DH.106 Comet 3B The Mk.2 prototype, modified with a shorter-span wing. In BEA colours. 33 Comet 4s have been sold.
XJ475 DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1 The same aircraft as last year. Type now in service with No.700Y Flight at RNAS Yeovilton.
G-APEV DH.114 Heron 2D DH demonstrator in the static park.
WZ587 DH.115 Vampire T.11 A standard RAF aircraft, already with 1,581 hours flying time.
XM245 EE Canberra B(I)8 A standard Preston-built production aircraft
WJ624 EE Canberra U.10 (Short SC.4) Pilotless drone conversion of the B.2 by Short Bros & Harland. Black and white bands on fuselage and wings.
WJ610 EE Canberra T.11 Radar trainer version of the B.2 by Boulton-Paul aircraft. F/f 29.03.58. A 4-seater with Javelin-type radome.
WK163 EE Scorpion Canberra Now in Arctic markings for forthcoming cold-weather trials in Canada
XA 847 EE P-1B Lightning F.1 Prototype P.1B. There are now 6 of the 20 pre-production flying by September, all with enlarged fins.
XJ440 Fairey Gannet AEW.3 Prototype, first flight 20.08.58
UA+115 Fairey Gannet AS.4 C/no. F9372. Standard Kriegsmarine aircraft.
WG774 Fairey FD.2 Mauve colours overall, same as in 1957.
G-AOUJ Fairey ultra Light Helicopter Now in Royal Navy colours
XE521 Fairey Rotordyne First prototype, f/f 25.10.57, with a 2nd nearing completion. Kaman have a licence to produce in the USA.
XK741 Folland Gnat F.1 News is that the prototype Gnat T.1 will fly in 1959 and 72 have been ordered.
G-39-10 Folland Gnat F.1 This aircraft will be GN103 for Finland. Meanwhile XN122 is in Aden on trials to replace Venoms.
A92-68 GAF Jindavik 2 MoS a/c to be built in Australia and airlifted to the UK eg A92-103. Initial order for 10 with 40 more now added.
XH901 Gloster Javelin FAW.7 Shown in the static park with a load of 4 x 100lb bombs
XH966 Gloster Javelin FAW.8 1st prototype, f/f 09.05.58. First Javelin variant with re-heat and already in production.
XA930 HP Victor B(K).1 Standard production a/c with flight refuelling gear and underwing tanks. Demonstration loops and rolls.
XE618 Hawker Hunter F.6 In static park
XF389 Hawker Hunter F.6 In flying display
XL564 Hawker Hunter T.7 The 2nd production RAF aircraft
WW664 Hawker Hunter T.8 The T.7 with a hook for the Royal Navy. This a/c converted from an F.4
G-AOJG P. 66 President 1 The civil 1st prototype. A Pembroke has been supplied to Sudanese AF - the 8th AF to buy the type.
G-APMO P. 66 President A production aircraft, destined for MTCA radar calibration work.
G-AOUS P. 84 Jet Provost T.2 Same a/c as last year. Several T.3s are flying, although the 3rd a/c, XM348 crashed at Taplow 04.09.58.
News is that XN117 (ex G-23-1) is in Aden for trials as Venom replacement, along with Gnat XN122.
XL762 Saro P.501 Skeeter AOP.12 British Army
SC-502 Saro P.501 Skeeter Mk.51 for West German Air Force
G-APNU Saro P.531 Scout Mk.1 1st prototype
G-APNV Saro P.531 Scout Mk.1 2nd prototype
G-APLW SAL Twin Pioneer 1
XM289 SAL Twin Pioneer Over half of the RAF order has now been delivered to storage at RAF Silloth and are likely to go to No.78 Sqdn
at Khormaskar and Bahrein. The 1st Pratt & Whitney powered a/c for Philippine Airlines has flown
XG900 Short SC.1 The 1st prototype. The 2nd a/c f/f 26.05.58 and is at Sydenham
N248V V.812 Viscount Is the 9th of 15 aircraft for Continental Airlines
G-AKTW WS-51 Widgeon The 2nd prototype
XL880 WS-55 Whirlwind HAS.7 A standard RN anti-submarine a/c - replacing the Gannet. Two Whirlwind 8s on order for the Queen's Flight.
XL727 WS-58 Wessex HAS.1 The 1st Westland-built Wessex. Type now in production for the Royal Navy.
G-APLE Westland Westminster Flying Crane' prototype. F/f 15.06.58.
The above appeared on public days. Others present earlier in the week included Britannia G-AOVI, Comet G-APDA, Pembroke SC-304 Luftwaffe,
Shackleton MR.3 XF701, Lightning XG308 and Vulcan XA903 with the Avro 'stand-off' bomb slung underneath.
The RAF/FAA contribution was the best yet seen at any Farnborough:- 6 x Scimitars of 803 Sqdn; 8 x Sea Hawks of 800 Sqdn; 9 x Canberra from the
Binbrook Wing; 22 x Hawker Hunters with 111 Sqdn; 45 x Hawker Hunters of Fighter Command; 45 x Gloster Javelins; 4 x CFS Jet Provost T.1s; 2 x flight
2 x flight refueling Valiants and a formation of Valiant, Vulcan and Victor.
Lying around at Farnborough were Vulcan XA890 behind a fence at te left-hand end of the public enclosure. Lincolns RF456 & RF533, Hastings TG619,
Comet G-ALYS, Swift WK195 and white Canberra WH661 - on the far side of the runway, together with 2 x Varsities and another Lincoln unidentified.
Varsities VX828, WF381, WJ937, WL667; Viking VW218; Meteors WD765 & WD797, WH231 & WL488; Apollo VX224; Devon XA879; Canberra T.4 WJ867 -
all by the water tanks.
Luton Minor G-AGEP, Aeronca C-3 G-ADYS, Proctor LZ558 and Tiger Moths T5595, T5635 & G-AMCM - in the RAE Aero Club shed
Multitudes in the Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS) hangar - including Dragonflies VX595 & WG662; Swift 7 XF113; Sea Hawk WV910; Sedburgh WB920;
Hawker Hunters WT572 & WT621; Sea Venom 21 WM574; Vampire T.11 WZ451; Devon VP979; Gannet XA515 etc, etc. WHICH LEAVES, UNDATABLE (at present): Undatable, with neither a caption on the reverse of the print or clues provided by background aircraft, it seems a pity to leave these out, even though they add little of significance to this photo-thread.  Vickers Valiant - flying  A production Vulcan – flying. So must be 1956 onwards.  EE Canberra – flying  Twin Pioneer – landing. In Scottish Aviation ‘house’ scheme, but is not 1955 when the flying show demonstrator was in a different scheme. |
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Post by viscount on Feb 29, 2024 12:24:09 GMT 1
FARNBOROUGH 1959 As listed in 'Merseyside Aeronews', Merseyside Group of Aviation Enthusiasts, issue for October 1959 and appear in an amended format. This list, and those for previous years, have not been cross-checked against others that are on the Internet, linked in the top post of this thread.
STATIC DISPLAY
G-APVH AW.650 Argosy 101 The 5th machine built
G-APRJ Avro 694 Lincoln B.2 Napier de-icing test bed, ex RF342
G-AMZN DH.104 Dove 6 The 7th appearance by this aircraft
G-APEV DH.114 Heron 2D As exhibited last year
XD624 DH.115 Vampire T.11 Formerly 'Z' with 19 Sqdn.
XJ615 Hawker Hunter T.7 Prototype T.7, now serving with ETPS
XM370 Hunting Jet Provost T.3 Standard production aircraft
CJ-701 Hunting Jet Provost 51 Ceylon Air Force markings. Armed version with representative load
G-APVM Saunders-Roe P.531 Mk.2 The second Mk.2. Not yet flown.
VH-TVR Vickers V.812 Viscount In TAA (Trans Australian Airlines) colours, actually an undelivered US ordered aircraft
FLYING PROGRAMME
G-APRN AW.650 Argosy 101 4th Aircraft built. First appearance by type at Farnborough, although a fuselage section shown last year.
G-APVG Auster J/5L Aiglet Tr. The 7th showing of an Aiglet Trainer.
XH536 Avro 698 Vulcan B.2 The 4th of this mark to be built.
XK490 Blackburn NA.39 The 5th of the pre-production batch of 20. Seven NA.39s are now flying.
XG451 Bristol 192 Belvedere The 5th aircraft. The first RAF Squadron due to form nex year.
G-APMB DH.106 Comet 4B The 2nd of 7 Comets for BEA. Shown in the new BEA colour scheme.
XJ516 DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1 Standard production aircraft. Sea Vixen aircraft are now in RN Squadron service.
G-ANAR DHC.2 Beaver 2 Its 5th Farnborough appearance reflect continuing Army interest.
XG331 EE Lightning F.1 One of the pre-production batch of Lightnings
XL628 EE Lightning T.4 First 2-seater. Can carry operational radar.
XL452 Fairey Gannet AEW.3 The 4th production aircraft. The AEW.3 is soon to start service trials with No.700G Squadron FAA.
XE521 Fairey Rotodyne Experimental VTOL transport. Slight modifications since last year.
XN326 Folland Gnat F.1 Ministry of Supply (MoS) Gnat for development flying.
XM691 Folland Gnat T.1 The 1st of 14 Gnat trainers for RAF evaluation.
XJ125 Gloster Javelin FAW.8 Standard production aircraft.
G-AODF HPR-7 Dart Herald First appearance of a RR Dart powered Herald at the SBAC Show. In BEA colours.
XG135 Hawker Hunter FGA.6 Converted from a Hunter F.6, formerly 'G' with 19 Squadron.
G-APUX Hawker Hunter Mk.66A As for the Indian Air Force, but with a braked nosewheel.
G-AOUS Hunting Jet Provost 2 Now test bed for the Viper 11, with 40% extra power.
G-APVL Saunders-Roe P.531 The First Mk.2, with a Blackburn A.129 engine.
G-APOI Saunders-Roe Skeeter 8
G-12-4 Saunders-Roe SR.N1 Apparently hovercraft are now recognised as an aircraft.
G-AOER SA Twin Pioneer 1 The 5th production aircraft, now modified with 'fins' at the wing-tips, for geophysical survey work.
XG905 Short SC.1 The 2nd machine. First time flying at Farnborough.
G-APEB Vickers V.951 Vanguard The 2nd of the 20 ordered by BEA. First appearance of the type at SBAC Farnborough.
G-ANLW Westland WS-51 Widgeon Now with a new skid undercarriage and floatation bags.
G-AOCZ WS-55 Whirlwind 2 Westlands Demonstrator.
XJ398 WS-55 Gnome-Whirlwind Now modified with a Gnome engine. The first turbine powered Whirlwind.
XM301 WS-58 Wessex HAS.1 Standard production, for the Royal Navy.
G-APLE WS-59 Westminster More powerful engines and other slight changes since last year. MISSILES For the missile enthusiasts, there was the now customary park outside the main tent. The Black Knight was there for the first time, with a nose-cone nearby which had been recovered after re-entering the earth's atmosphere. The DH Firestreak, although no newcomer, was shown for the first time with its guidance system exposed. Two Armstrong Whitworth Seaslugs were shown - one unadorned, the other with its boosters on an operational launcher. The English Electric Thunderbird and Bristol Bloodhound were both seen tracking round on their zero-length launchers. A mock-up of the Short Seacat showed four missiles on a typical launcher - the Seacat is intended as a replacement for the Bofors gun and a land version is known as the Tigercat. A new exhibit was the Malkara, a wire-guided solid-propellant anti-tank missile developed in Australia. It is also capable of being used against fortified defence positions and small boats; a substantial order was placed in August by the MoS. Similar missiles also on show were the Pye and Vickers Vigilant 891 anti-tank weapons. Models of the DH Blue Streak; the Avro Blue Steel stand-off bomb, and a Bristol Aerojet high-altitude research rocket conclude this part of the exhibition. SERVICE DISPLAYS:- A mixed bomber/fighter fly-past was provided by three Victors from 15 Squadron, three Vulcan B.1s from 230 OCU, three Javelin FAW.2s from 46 Sqdn and three Javelin FAW.7s from 25 Sqdn. The Transport Command fly-past consisted of a Sycamore HR.14 and a Whirlwind HAR.2 of the JEHU, two Pioneers of 215 Sqdn, a Twin Pioneer of 21 Sqdn, Beverley C.1 of the Abingdon Wing, Hastings, Comet C.2 of 216 Sqdn and Britannia C.1 from 99 Sqdn. Two Jet Provosts of the CFS gave their neat display of synchronised aerobatics and 111 Sqdn's Hunter took off from Farnborough, enabling their identities to be determined: XE653/S, XF416/T, XF430/V, XF446/R, XF506/X, XG129/F, XG160/U, XG170/G, XG189/D, XG190/C, XG193/A, XG194/N, XG171/E, XG200/Q, XG201/B, XJ715/H (16 a/c). The Scimitars from 807 Sqdn were: XD243/190:R, XD244/191:R, XD257/192:R, XD245/193:R, XD248/195:R, XD249/196:R, XD250/197:R, XD268/194:R(with a tatical radar nose), XD274/198:R (9 a/c) Whirlwind HAR.1 XA864 was engaged on rescue duties. On the Saturday, Auster J/5P G-AOFM flew over taking photographs; Hastings 2 WD480 with underslung pannier took off; and Westminster G-APTX flew after the display had ended. Missing by the week-end were Conway-Vulcan XA902, Canberra PR9 XH134, President 2 G-APVJ and a Skeeter 12.
OTHER AIRCRAFT TO BE SEEN (Many with the ETPS):-
Avro Lincoln B.2 RF456 & RF 533
Avro Vulcan B.1 XA890
Avro Ashton WB491
DHC.1 Chipmunk T.10 WB549 & WD321
DH.104 Devon VP979, WF984 & XA879
DH.115 Vampire T.11 WZ451 & WZ475
EE Canberra WJ730, WJ867, WJ994 & WT308
Fairey Gannet XA515
Gloster Meteor T.7 VW443, WH231 & WL488
Gloster Meteor NF.11 WD769 & WD797
Gloster Meteor NF.14 WS793 & WS845
HP.57 Hastings TG618
Hawker Hunters WT572, WT621, XF940 & XF969
Hawker Sea Hawk 4 WV910
Percival P.56 Provost T.1 WV425 & WV577
Supermarine Swift XF113
Vickers Varsity WF381, WF387, WJ937 & WL674
Westland WS-51 Dragonfly VX595 & WG662
WHILE DERELICT AIRCRAFT WERE:-
AW.55 Apollo VX224
DH.106 Comet 1 G-ALYS & G-ALYU
DH.112 Venom FB.1 WE361
Hawker Hunter F.5 WN964, WN966, WN972, WN981, WN984; WP108, WP109, WP111, WP117, WP141, WP181 & WP183
Hawker Hunter F.6 XF833
Supermarine Swift 3 WK195
Vickers Viking VW218
Vickers Varsity WL667 There are no images in the photo collection dateable to 1959. The editor of MGAE's 'Northern Aeronews' did not provide any comment regarding Farnborough in 1960, so no check-list. Don Stephens, complete with camera was back at SBAC Farnborough in 1961, 1962 and 1964 though. These will be the basis of a new thread on NWAN. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX This thread is now open to comment, correction and even better still, additional images of Farnborough's through the 1950s. Trust you have enjoyed this trip back in to the black and white days of the 1950s and the wide variety of British built aircraft around at the time. Keep watching this thread, as I'll shortly be adding posts with some of the many varied aircraft seen at London's airfields during Farnborough week during the 1950s.
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Post by ronturner on Mar 1, 2024 6:55:09 GMT 1
I enjoyed this read very much indeed, in in fact learned quite a bit too. Thanks.
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Post by jetdragon on Mar 4, 2024 4:59:32 GMT 1
Fascinating thread. Thanks for the research Viscount.
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Post by viscount on Mar 24, 2024 13:37:58 GMT 1
I've added a couple of further images into the 1955 section, discovered in negative form in the Don Stephens prints collection. Now scanned to digital, they add to the original scans from prints.
This seems to be a popular thread with 950 views recorded in just 2 months. You are welcome to return to this thread and scroll through as many times as you wish, hopefully find new little details each time. Shortly (although identifying, cleaning photos, scanning 250 'newly found' negatives, along with typing out text from 1950s magazines is taking way longer than expected) I will be adding a thread looking at aerodromes and aircraft to be seen on the 'Farnborough Circuit' late 50s, then repeating the exercise again for in the early 1960s.
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Post by viscount on Mar 27, 2024 16:13:28 GMT 1
While looking for something else, came across this. As there is so little relating to the aircraft at early SBAC Farnborough shows on the Internet, thought this research by Alan Scholefield deserves an airing on a media which would have been the stuff of science fiction in 1950! Although not in the 'official' SBAC show, VX195 Avro Tudor 8, powered by 4 RR Nene jet-engines and Fairey Firefly AS.5 VT427 are seen together at Farnborough 10th September 1950. A.M.G.Armstrong photo as used in 'Flypast' October 1968. FARNBOROUGH 1950 Alan Scholefield, from the Merseyside Group of Aviation Enthusiasts monthly journal ‘Flypast’, November 1968. Having been looking at the comprehensive 1968 Farnborough report in last month’s ‘Flypast’, thought that members would be interested in reading a similar report for the 1950 show laid on by the SBAC (although at that time the ‘A’ indicated Aircraft – not Aerospace as now.As will be seen from the following listing, a vast change has taken place in the types exhibited at Farnborough since 1950. Only the Canberra and Comet appeared at both the 1950 and 1968 events – and each of those were of course much revised versions. Indeed, some of the 1950 types are no longer in existence, and many of the remainder are no longer airworthy. The numbers of aircraft in the Manufacturers Static and Flying Displays in both years is fairly similar. Static: 1950 – 18 aircraft of 15 types; 1968 – 22 aircraft of 17 types. Flying: 1950 – 41 aircraft of 33 types; 1968 – 41 aircraft of 33 types. In 1950 only home-bred types were present, all foreign built designs excluded. Also in 1950 there were no RAF or RN displays – this following a few years later. A fair proportion of aircraft in 1950 were engine test-beds, or used for other developments such as in-flight refuelling. Only Vulcan B.1 XA903, the Olympus 593 trials aircraft came into this category in 1968. FARNBOROUGH 1950
STATIC DISPLAY
G-AHXU Miles Marathon 2 Powered by 2 Mamba prop-jets. [Also flown as VX232]
G-AJYU Auster 5D C/nos 1783 & 2666. [Later to OY-ACI]
G-AJYL Auster J/5 Crop-spraying version, c/no. 2889. [Became AP-AFI]
G-AGVC Bristol 170 Freighter 21 Bristol demonstrator
G-AINK Bristol 170 Freighter 21 Also present
G-ALBM DH.104 Dove 2 DH demonstrator, c/no.04179. [Later G-5-1, and in 1968 with DH's successor, HSA at Hatfield]
G-AMCJ Gloster Meteor F.8 Ground attack version. To Denmark as 490.
PA147 Supermarine Seagull Amphibian. 2nd prototype.
SE-BRL Fairey Firefly TT.1 Svensk Flygtjanst, c/no. F6033, formerly DT939
G-5-2 DH.113 Vampire NF.10 Prototype. Later became WP256. First flight 28.08.49
G-5-7 DH.115 Vampire T.11 Prototype. Later WW456. Built by Airspeed at Christchurch.
VX790 Avro 707B First flew 06.09.50. Low-speed trials, scale model of the Vulcan.
VX564 Vickers Valetta T.3 Prototype
VZ831 DH.100 Vampire FB.5 Production aircraft
WA577 Bristol 171 Sycamore 3 Formerly G-ALST. [in 1968 at St.Athan as 7718M]
WD850 Fairey Firefly AS.6 Production aircraft, c/no. F8678
WE686 Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 Production aircraft
WF136 Percival Sea Prince C.1 Production aircraft
FLYING DISPLAY
G-AGPW Bristol 167 Brabazon 1 Prototype, c/no.12759 [Was allocated VX206 (ntu)]
G-AHRF Vickers V.630 Viscount Prototype, c/no.1, formerly VX211. [w/o Khartoum 27.08.52]
G-AIYN AW.55 Apollo Prototype. [Also flew as VX220]
G-AJYW Auster J/1B Aiglet C/no.2663 [Became ZK-BAQ]
G-AKBF Prestwick Pioneer 2 [Later XE512 SA Pioneer CC.1]
G-AKLO Short SA.6 Sealand 1D Production aircraft.
G-AKRD AS.57 Ambassador 1 2nd prototype, c/no. 62. [Later G-37-3, with Rolls Royce as Dart test-bed at Hucknall]
G-ALEV HP.82 Hermes 5 Theseus prop-jets.
G-ALIK Westland S.51 Dragonfly 1A C/no.WA/H/3. [Later converted to Westland Widgeon as G-APPS]
G-ALRY Percival P.54 Prince 1 Production aircraft.
G-ALVG DH.106 Comet 1 Prototype, ex G-5-1, c/no.06001, f/f 27.07.49. [A/c broken up at Farnborough 1953]
G-ALZL DH.114 Heron 1 Prototype, c/no. 10903. [In 1968, OY-DGS with Cimber Air]
G-AMAV Vickers V.700 Viscount 3rd Prototype. [Racing no.3 in 1953 UK-NZ air race. Scrapped 1961]
G-5-3 DH.112 Venom NF.2 Prototype, private venture design. f/f 22.08.50. Later to WP227 and then 7098M
RA491 Gloster Meteor F.4 Avon RA3 test-bed [Later to French Government as Altar test-bed]
RA657 Avro 694 Lincoln B.2 Flight Refuelling Ltd, Demonstration 'probe and drogue' technique with Meteor VZ389]
SX972 Avro 694 Lincoln B.2 Proteus engine test-bed.
VN850 EE Canberra B.1 4th prototype.
VP257 Avro 696 Shackleton GR.1 4th production a/c.
VP413 Hawker P.1040 2nd prototype for what became the Sea Hawk.
VR557 Fairey GR.17/45 3rd prototype for what developed into the Gannet.
VR569 Avro 701 Athena T.2 4th production a/c. Had been demonstrated overseas earlier in 1950 as G-ALWA.
VR602 Boulton Paul P.108 Balliol T.2 13th pre-production a/c.
VV119 Supermarine 535 Research aircraft and predecessor of the Supermarine Swift
VW867 Westland Wyvern TF.2 1st production TF.2.
VX165 EE Canberra B.2 The B.2 prototype
VX217 Vickers V.663 Viscount C/no.2, G-AHRG allocated, ntu. Fitted with 2 RR Tay jet-engines
VX279 Hawker P.1081 Originally built as a P.1052. A Hawker Hunter predecessor.
VX835 Vickers V.668 Varsity T.1 2nd prototype of this Viking/Valetta development.
VZ389 Gloster Meteor F.4 In-flight re-fueling demonstration with Lincoln B.2 RA657
WA547 Gloster Meteor NF.11 Armstrong Whitworth built. 2nd prototype.
WA576 Bristol 171 Sycamore 3 1st production aircraft, formerly G-ALSS
WA820 Gloster Meteor F.8 Sapphire engine test-bed.
WA878 Gloster Meteor F.8 Production aircraft.
WB490 Avro 706 Ashton Prototype
WB723 DHC.1 Chipmunk T.10 Production aircraft
WB797 Blackburn YB.1 A Gannet competitor. No production undertaken.
WE505 Handley Page Reading HPR.2 2nd prototype. A Provost competitor. No production undertaken.
WE530 Percival P.56 Provost T.1 Prototype. [Also flew as VX220]
WF320 GAL 60 Universal Freighter Prototype, c/no. 1000, with Bristol Hercules engines. Predecessor of the Beverley.
WF632 Short SB.3 Conversion from a Short Sturgeon TT.2 airframe.
OTHER AIRCRAFT PRESENT
In addition to the above aircraft in the 'Official' show, a number of interesting were, as usual, to be seen on various parts of the airfield.
Some of these are listed below:
EE246 Gloster Meteor F.3 P' markings. 616 Sqdn 13.02.45; to RAE 1950 for Martin Baker ejection seat tests. Scr 11/50]
HG715 DH.89 Dominie RAF
MW272 Avro 685 York C.1
NX636 Avro 683 Lancaster B.XII
PD137 Avro 683 Lancaster B.1
PP350 HP Halifax A.VII
RD688 Bristol Beaufighter TT.10
RE171 Avro 683 Lancaster B.3 Wearing unit code 'P9:E'.
RF561 Avro 684 Lincoln B.2 Tapered nose
RT814 HP Halifax A.IX
TG618 HP Hastings C.1 [still at Farnborough in 1968, but now in poor condition]
VP509 Avro 652A Anson C.19 srs 2
VR568 Avro 701 Athena T.2 3rd production a/c
VT427 Fairey Firefly AS.5 c/no. F8327. [Was later converted as a U.9 drone]
VV319 Avro 652A Anson T.21
VW217 Vickers 614 Viking 1A formerly G-AHPA.
VX195 Avro 689 Tudor 8 Powered by 4 x Nene jet engines
VZ366 Avro 689 Tudor 2 c/no. 1263, formerly G-AGRZ [scrapped 1956] BLACKBUSHE 1950
Right through the 1950s the SBAC Show drew many visiting aircraft to nearby Blackbushe, which at the time was a thriving Ministry of Civil
Aviation airfield, used by a number of charter operators. A small selection of visitors and others for 6/7th September:
Airspeed Consul G-AIBF Silver City & G-AIKR Airwork
Avro Tudor 5 G-AKCC William Dempster
Bristol 170 Freighter 21 F-BENH Cie Air Transport
BA Swallow 2 G-AEMW
Benes-Mráz 550 Bibi G-AGSR (Crashed at White Waltham 25.10.51)
DH.86B Express G-ACZP (engines inhibited 12.04.50)
DH.89 Dragon Rapide G-AKOE Lancashire Aircraft
DH.90 Dragonfly G-AEWZ
Douglas C-47 Dakota G-AMBW Airwork, G-AJAV Silver City & ZS-BRW
Douglas C-54 Skymaster G-ALEP Mining & Exploration A.S.
HP Halton F-BESE SANA, G-AHGU Aviation Traders & G-AHDM Westminster Airways
Lockheed 12A G-AGWN Skyways
Miles M3A Falcon G-ADFH
Stinson Voyager OO-EXS
Sud-Ouest SO.30P Bellatrix F-WAYI
Vickers Viking G-AKTV Airwork, plus 4 others
Youngman-Baynes High Lift G-AMBL
Also numerous Arguses, Proctors, Messengers etc.
Airspeed Oxford 1 R6285/WH-D & HM838/FLPC
Avro 652A Anson I-12 DJ545/642 Royal Navy; NG726 RAF both Anson 1; PH664, PH756, PH831 all Anson 12s.
Avro 652A Anson C.19 TX196/CB-K, TX229, VM316/S6-A, VM409/3S-U. Plus many more Anson/C.19/T.21s
Avro 652A Anson T.21 VV247/FAGF, VV249/FAGD, VV989/FGFB, VV990/FAFQ, VV993/FGFU, VV997/RCV-3,
VV998/RCJ-3, WB451/FGFK, WB456/FFBX.
Avro 684 Lincoln RE344/PH-M & RF443.
Beech C-45 447196 GLAM, Armée de l'Air.
DH.89 Dominie NR728
DH.100 Sea Vampire F.20 VV148 & VV152
DH.103 Hornet/Sea Hornet PX387/9V-H, PX313 both RAF Hornet F.3s; VW932 Sea Hornet NF.22
DHC.1 Chipmunk T.10 WB578/RCU-P, WB579/RCU-Q, WB585/RCU-X, WB573/ -
Douglas C-47 Dakota KN449/NU-S RAF; K-21/OT-CWJ Belgian; 348279/H & 348665/G Armée de l'Air.
Douglas VC-54 Skymaster 49148 French Government
Fairey Firefly T.1 MB412/299:CW
Handley Page Halifax A.IX RT868.
Hawker Sea Fury VX678/115:CW a FB.11; VX286/294:CW, VZ850/ - both T.20.
Lockheed Ventura 11-S-3' Aeronavale
Miles M.25 Martinet TT.1 HP327/WH-7 & HP176.
Nord NC.702 Martinet Nos.306, 332, 338 and 341 all Armée de l'Air.
Nord N.1101 Noralpha No.92/T Armée de l'Air.
North American Harvard IIB KF662/FBGC, FT239, KF173.
Percival Prentice VS374/FCMF
Sud-Est SE.161 Languedoc No.51 '31-S-1' Aeronavale
Vickers Wellington T.10 LR158/FDCB, NC426/FMAF Report on Farnborough and Blackbushe 1950 were compiled by R.A.Scholefield from a contemporary log loaned by A.M.G.Armstrong. PHOTO-PAGES FROM MAS 'FLYPAST' October 1968, with captions/credits etc.  
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