Ashingdon
ASHINGDON: Gliding site
Operated by: Lane’s Gliding Schools
Location: ? (but possibly on the site later used as an airfield? See entry below)
Period of operation: From at least 1909 to ?
NOTES: In 1909 Lane’s were advertising another site at ROCHFORD
ASHINGDON: Civil airfield (Aka CANUTE AIR PARK)
Operated by: Canute Air Park Co.
Flying Clubs: The Aero-8 Club and The Southend Flying Club?
Maintenance: Messrs Chadwick and Gordon
Manufacturing: Phoenix Aircraft Construction Company
Location: On Canewdon Road, Ashingdon, roughly 4nm NNW of Southend town centre
Period of operation: 1931? (Some report it opening in 1936) to 1939?
NOTES: This site is worthy of considerable investigation. It is recorded that the greatest ‘Flying Flea’ Rally of all time was held here, on the 6th April 1936. Later information indicates that this date may not be correct, and indeed Flight magazine on the 16th April records the event as taking place on the 13th April - a Bank Holiday.
I have Mr Rory Morrisey to thank for most of the information regarding this singular event. A member of the Leighton Buzzard and District Archaeological and History Society, he told me that the Society have recently been given a sizeable quantity of amateur film footage, some of which relates to this event. Having investigated the event, which appears to have mostly been an utter shambles according to the Flight reporter, Mr Morrisey very kindly sent me his findings.
RIDICULOUSLY OVERSOLD?
It was probably not intentional, but for some reason this modest Fly-in attracted considerable attention with an unruly crowd estimated at being some 5,000 strong arriving! Not being best pleased it appears they invaded "the commodious but rough airfield" according to Flight magazine. A lady with a camera was recorded taking pictures of her children leaning against a propeller and the flying wires of one 'Flea'.
It appears that only five 'Fleas' were on display and only two managed to get airborne. These appear to be G-ADPX, G-AEEW, G-AEFV and G-AERF (sic)* with a fifth marked on its tail; 'Taxying Machine'. The ‘Flying Flea’ was based on the designs of the Henri Mignet Pou du Ciel. Apparently one example was flown in by Mr S V Appleby from HESTON. But, on the previous day after landing at HATFIELD en route.
*The 'Flea' with the registration G-AERF is an interesting case. As Mr Morrisey points out, this registration was allocated to a Broughton-Blayney Brawny. To my surprise when looking this rare type up, although looking like a Mignet Pou-du-Ciel in many respects, it was of conventional design with a tailplane. Can anybody kindly offer advice?
OTHER TYPES
It appears the Aero-8 Club also exhibited a BAC Drone, possibly unregistered? The Aeronca C-3 G-ADYP took part in the flying and, it seems that a DH87B Hornet Moth was present. Somebody flew the Cierva C.19 Autogyro G-ABUC in from the Alan Cobham establishment at FORD aerodrome (SUSSEX), but that ended up on its nose. (There is a picture of it upended in Flight)
A BIT MORE INFORMATION
In June 2025, Mr Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide', discovered that the Avro 504N, G-ADBD, (ex-K1245), had been registered to the Canute Air Park Company on the 12th August 1936. Another report says it crashed at Southend on the 22nd July 1936 - in other words a month before it was registered as being based here! No doubt yet another 'typo' which besets anybody attempting to record our aviation history. Should be July 1937.
Another oddity is that this aircraft was listed in the Civil Aircraft Register as being a four-seater. A considerable number of Avro 504 types, almost all being 504K and 504N variants, were converted, often by Avro, with the front cockpit being widened to take two adults for joy riding duties. Yet another 'typo' - two in a row for the same aircraft. Also, a common enough occurrence in the Register, the constructors number given is actually the military serial. A third 'typo'.
It can be both very tiresome, (often quite time consuming too), but at the same time really quite enjoyable, for me at least, to have to question every bit of information found. Thank heavens I had the good sense to call this web-site a 'Guide'. Every week, pretty much, I need to amend various listings as more information comes to light. And to think, over twenty years ago the original project was a book. Had a publisher lined up too. Sadly he passed away before it could be published, which of course has turned out to be fortuitous, as, long before now all copies would need to be trashed.
Peter Frier
This comment was written on: 2016-07-21 22:13:54I am making a study of this site and so far have found out that monument has been set up because "Ashingdon Parish was a centre of early aviation research from 1908. Britain's first aerodrome was officially opened in February 1909 and it was used for developing and flying early fixed wing aeroplanes." The monument is at the site of Brickhouse Farm South Fambridge.
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Peter, Many thanks - I shall post your comments. Best regards, Dick
Peter Frier
This comment was written on: 2016-07-21 22:20:39a further piece of info "south Fambriidge The village once had a small airfield which no longer exists, having been converted into a residential estate named Pemberton Field after Noel Pemberton Billing. On 20 February 2009 it was the 100th anniversary of the first experimental flights beside the River Crouch meadows. Kenneth Bannerman, Director General of the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust unveiled a memorial to the airfield. A Spitfire flown by Carolyn Grace took part in the Anniversary Commemoration, entertaining the crowd by carrying out some aerobatic manoeuvres. The Memorial is located at (TQ854957) on the site of Brickhouse Farm.
Richard Davis
This comment was written on: 2017-04-12 23:05:01A.E. Clouston describes this rally in comic detail in his book 'The Dangerous Skies'. You are correct - G AERF was one of the three Broughton Blayney Brawnys, two of which crashed fatally including 'RF, the pilot of which was Alfred Bacon. The Aeroplane magazine dated June 1979 indicates that the registration was applied to the Flea incorrectly and it should have been G AEFW, but it definitely flew at Ashingdon as G AERF and was piloted by F.W. Broughton himself according to news reports and with some skill judging by the clip on YouTube. Incidentally, Clouston flew an Aeronca C3 to the rally and is also shown in the clip, albeit uncredited.
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Richard, Many thanks indeed for so much information. Much appreciated and I shall of course keep this posted. Best regards, Dick
Richard Davis
This comment was written on: 2017-04-12 23:25:09A.E. Clouston describes this rally in comic detail in his book 'The Dangerous Skies'. You are correct - G AERF was one of the three Broughton Blayney Brawnys, two of which crashed fatally including 'RF, the pilot of which was Alfred Bacon. The Aeroplane magazine dated June 1979 indicates that the registration was applied to the Flea incorrectly and it should have been G AEFW, but it definitely flew at Ashingdon as G AERF and was piloted by F.W. Broughton himself according to news reports, and with some skill judging by the clip on YouTube. Incidentally, Clouston flew an Aeronca C3 to the rally and is also shown in the clip, albeit uncredited. I have done a fair amount of study regarding the relationship between the Flea and the Brawny, via the Perman Parasol, to the extent of analysing everything from the reflexed aerofoil section and bracing to the track of AERF on its last flight. However, you cannot do better than the Aeroplane article which I can scan and send over if it is of any use, plus Clouston's book. However, it is clear from research that Clouston claims rather too much of the kudos and is dismissive of Broughton, which is surprising when the Brawny was clearly less than perfect (3 built, 2 fatal crashes). I am fascinated by Broughton but can find nothing on him after the Brawny inquest, which was a whitewash in line with the 'air minded' feelings at the time. I have corresponded with A. Bacon's son at some length and understand that FWB wrote to his mother asking for the balance of the purchase price, to which she responded that she had paid for one coffin and was not about to pay for another.
Reply from Dick Flute:
Dear Richard, And yet more, great stuff and much appreciated. It is a matter of considerable satisfaction for me, that so many people, such as yourself, are very kindly contributing to this web-site and making it so much more worthwhile in providing a 'Guide' to our fabulous aviation history. Once again, my best regards, Dick
colin franklin
This comment was written on: 2018-10-19 22:49:42Dear Richard Davis and Dick Flute my name is Colin Franklin and i have been collecting info on flying fleas for over 60 years ,i have information regarding the Broughton Brawnys and more ,will try to find it and will contact you via email ? regards .
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