Folkestone Cliffs
Note: Clearly this map only shows a very rough estimation of where this location was, within the UK. If anybody today does know the exact location, please offer this advice. It will be much appreciated.
FOLKESTONE CLIFFS: Temporary flying site
NOTES: This account comes from the excellent book, British Aviation - The Pioneer Years, by Harald Penrose, first published in 1967. This was in 1914.
"The motley collection of aircraft used by the Naval Wing of the R.F.C. was excitedly watched by a huge crowd at Dover when the King, aboard the the royal yacht Victoria & Albert, steamed from harbour on 21st April to visit Paris. As escort came a spectacular mixed squadron led by Cdr. C.R. Sampson, flying a B.E.2, followed in line astern by a le Rhone-powered Blériot piloted by Eng-Lieut. Briggs, a flexing-winged Caudron flown by Lieut. Osmond, a Sopwith 3-seater flown by Sub-Liet. Littleton, an Avro 501 piloted by Sub-Lieut. Pierce, a Short tracror flown by Sub-Lieut. Rainey, and at the tail came an ancient 50 h.p. Short pusher in the hands of a non-ranker, Pvt. Edmonds of the Marines."
"Joining this contingent came the latest Short seaplane from the Isle of Grain flown by the redoubtable Cdr. Seddon."
Here comes the bit deserving inclusion in this 'Guide'.
"Taking off from the Folkestone cliff tops half an hour later came the ace aerobatic pilot B.C. Hucks, flying his Blériot 2-seater with a cinematographer aboard from Warwick Bioscope Chronicle Film Co., who pioneered the art of aerial picture-making by filming the royal yacht and its French escort of cruisers from 400 ft."
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