Ryde mud flats
RYDE MUD FLATS: Temporary testing area
Note: The first picture was obtained from Google Earth ©. The second very rare picture is from the Ron Roberts Collection.
It must be pointed out that the late Ron Roberts Collection is now part of the Barry Friend Collection and it was Barry who very kindly gave me permission to use this fine picture.
Location: More or less E to NE of Ryde town centre
Period of operation: Circa 1954?
NOTES: We have Mr Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide', to thank for unearthing this very rare and little known flying site.
A bit more delving reveals that Saunders-Roe Ltd owned the Auster J/5G Cirrus Autocar, G-AMZV, registered to them from 28.05.33 to 30.04.60.
In around 1954, it seems, the company fitted Zulu Victor with hydro skis, and flotation 'cylinders', including on the wings, and tested the idea on the mud flats near Ryde. I wonder what the potential market was they had in mind? We don't know how successful these trials were - they might of course have been very encouraging (?), but the project appears to have been either shelved or given up.
As always, if anybody can kindly offer advice and information, this will be much appreciated.
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