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Author Topic: Test Pilot killed Reading 1930  (Read 3238 times)

Offline old rowley

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Re: Test Pilot killed Reading 1930
« Reply #9 on: Thursday 29 December 11 18:09 GMT (UK) »
DJ,

Samuel Wilfred Giddy was employed as chief instructor at Woodley aerodrome when he was test flying a privately owned Martinsyde single seater aeroplane when, during the test flight, it dived to the ground. He was pronounced dead by the time that he reached hospital. An Inquest was held on Wednesday 27th August and a verdict of accidental death was given. One of the reasons given for the crash was a "wing flutter" on the aircraft which led to the pilot losing control. His funeral took place in Plymouth. Lastly, Samuel was a stand in pilot for the "Crazy" squadron based at Hendon.

The above was gleaned from two articles published in The Times (25th August re-accident and 28th August re-inquest).

OR.
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Offline purp72

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Re: Test Pilot killed Reading 1930
« Reply #10 on: Thursday 29 December 11 18:22 GMT (UK) »
There is also a small story on the front page of the Daily Express for 25 August 1930 - but this does not add any further detail to that provided by OR above.
Purp
DIXSON/DIXON - Ripon/Harrogate/Leeds
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Offline DevonJewel

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Re: Test Pilot killed Reading 1930
« Reply #11 on: Thursday 29 December 11 19:07 GMT (UK) »
to:  Purp and Old Rowley,
What fantastic people you are!  VERY many thanks.
 
You've solved my queries in minutes - and by Googling Woodley airfield and Douglas Bader I now know a lot more history as well.

Thanks again.
DJ

Offline Flattybasher9

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Re: Test Pilot killed Reading 1930
« Reply #12 on: Thursday 29 December 11 19:20 GMT (UK) »
Can I take it that you have his marriage info already?

Regards

Malky

Offline DevonJewel

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Re: Test Pilot killed Reading 1930
« Reply #13 on: Thursday 29 December 11 19:52 GMT (UK) »
To Mary Curtain, yes, but thank you for taking the trouble Malky.
DJ

Offline SueK50

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Re: Test Pilot killed Reading 1930
« Reply #14 on: Sunday 01 January 12 13:02 GMT (UK) »
A brief personal appreciation from the archives of Flight magazine

http://www.flightglobal.com/
pdfarchive/view/1930/untitled0%20-%201109.html?search=giddy

Offline SueK50

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Re: Test Pilot killed Reading 1930
« Reply #15 on: Sunday 01 January 12 13:10 GMT (UK) »
And - a reference to his job as Chief Instructor at the Phillips and Powis Flying School - from the same source

http://www.flightglobal.com/
pdfarchive/view/1930/untitled0%20-%200521.html?search=giddy

Offline DevonJewel

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Re: Test Pilot killed Reading 1930
« Reply #16 on: Sunday 01 January 12 15:20 GMT (UK) »
That's brilliant SueK50.  Many thanks.

Wonderful to think there is so much info out there if you know where to look!  Thank you.

One Newspaper article says:

 he was a stand-by pilot for the RAF "crazy" squadron at Hendon.   I did try Googling that but found nothing - any ideas?  Presumably something like the Red Arrows ?

DJ

Offline Flattybasher9

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Re: Test Pilot killed Reading 1930
« Reply #17 on: Sunday 01 January 12 18:56 GMT (UK) »
If you link to :-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Whittle
and scroll down to the paragraph, "Development of the turbojet engine" and have a read. There is mention of the "crazy flying"  there.

Regards


Malky
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