Henly's Heston Rally June 1933

Henly's Heston Rally (June 1933)

On Saturday, June 10, Henly's held their Annual Rally and Gymkhana at Heston Airport. The afternoon's programme, which was well organised and carried out under the efficient guidance of Messrs. A. R. Dark and Brian Allen, included both ground and aerial events, the latter, as was only natural, demanding the greater share of the spectators' interest.

AN AERIAL VIEW : The rotor blades on the top right-hand corner are not an unnatural growth of the " Argosy " they belong curiously enough to an Autogiro.

Mr. R. Brie, ably assisted by a strongish wind which blew across the aerodrome from the gasometer, demonstrated the " Autogiro " in his usual capable manner. A " Tiger Moth " was hurled round the sky in a manner which demonstrated clearly the pilot's implicit belief in the reliability of the " Gipsy Major " engine, but it was totally unnecessary to fly the machine low, and at not far off stalling speed, over the thickest part of the crowd.

Following the " Tiger Rag," Mr. John Tranum, using two Irvin parachutes, made a most successful parachute descent from about 2,000 ft. He appeared to fall the last hundred feet quicker than is usual, but even so made a better landing than did the " Cadet " from which he dropped. About an hour later Flt. Lt. W. E. P. John-son gave a very fine, but only too short, display of aerobatics. He was to have flown an Avro " Cadet," but this machine being otherwise engaged, he took up a Comper " Swift," but this change over did not prevent him from treating the spectators to an excellent display of aerobatics on the smaller machine. The slow rolls off the top of loops were especially worthy of note.

A climbing race up to an " Autogiro " was won by Capt. Styran on a Percival " Gull " with a " Gipsy Major," Capt. Birkett, flying a " Puss Moth," also with a " Gipsy Major," being second.

Quite a number of machines were kept busy joyriding during the afternoon and evening, including an Imperial Airway's " Argosy," and the Fokker F.VII, better known to fame as the Princess Xenia. This latter machine was piloted by Capt. Barnard and was chiefly devoting its time to the more youthful joyriders. Incidentally, Capt. Barnard demonstrated the slow-flying potentialities of this machine.

Mr. H. Henly and Mr. F. Hough, Directors of Henly's, Ltd.and a Microphone.

Among the many machines present was Flt. Lt. Comper's " Gipsy Major " " Swift," in which he competed in the race for the Deutsch de la Meurthe Cup. It appears to have a very creditable rate of climb, and a top speed that is not much short of 170 m.p.h. Another visiting machine was the only privately-owned Blackburn " Dart," G-AAAW, well known to many reserve pilots.

The ground events included a Car Concours d'Elegance, Musical Chairs, Push Ball Competition, and a Car Polo Match. The prizes, which included many handsome cups, were presented at the close of the evening by the Countess of Drogheda.