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A Guide to the history of British flying sites within the United Kingdom
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Crayford flying sites


Note: This map only shows the location of Crayford within the UK. Without too much doubt the flying sites mentioned would have been situated closer to the low lying area bounding the south side of the River Thames.




CRAYFORD: Experimental flying site
 

NOTES: It appears that in 1909 Hiram Maxim ‘arranged’ to build an aeroplane described in the press in those days as being a “Pullman of the Air” at the Wolseley works. Thirty men, several of which later became well known in aircraft manufacture were employed. For some unexplained reason a circular track was laid out to test it. Was it to be tethered from a central post?

Today almost nothing seems known but Major C C Turner in his book ‘Old Flying Days’ mentions it. The wing span was 44ft, (probably a biplane?) as the design made the lower wing generating more lift and a 4-cylinder 80hp, (presumably?), petrol driven engine drove three propellers?

It is immensely frustrating because the inference is - it did lift-off, (i.e. no mention of it being a flop), but why don’t we now know more of this obviously very important experiment? The idea of conducting flying experiments using a circular track is a fairly common theme before, during and after the period when the first aeroplanes flew. Albeit in what we would now describe as 'hops'.

 



CRAYFORD: Company airfield

Operated by: Vickers Ltd
 

Location: ?

Period of operation: 1916 to 1919
 

NOTES: It appears that Vickers, on the outbreak of WW1 moved aircraft production from their factory at Erith, and that aircraft were assembled for primary flight testing here, (From 1916?), before flying to JOYCE GREEN a few miles away, and then to enter service at LONG REACH a nearby RFC airfield

 

 

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