British Empire Air Display (Tom Campbell Black) (1936)

[1936 - Tom was killed on the 19th September]

Displays for 1936

 [I say, steady on...]

THE FLYING "CHAIN GANG." The opening will celebrated by an aerial parade of the entire fleet of 'planes—an exhibition in itself. Then will follow items such as an air race over a triangular course—in which the Spectators will be invited to take part as passengers and for which there are valuable prizes to be won—then an amazing exhibition of formation flying in unison. In this event three machines—roped together, if weather permits—will loop, roll, dive and climb with uncanny precision.

LEAP YEAR PARACHUTE RACE. Other features will include a novel demonstration of slow and up-side-down flying, advanced aerobatics, an amusing game of aerial skittles and other humorour stunts, a real surprise item and a topical Leap Year parachute race! Imagine the excitement as three 'planes climb into the sky to discharge their loads— intrepid parachutists who will hurtle earthwards at 115 miles per hour—and one's a girl.

THE FLYING FLEA. But this is not all. Every year aviation advances with remarkable rapidity. Ever abreast the times, the organisers of the British Empire Air Displays have secured the services of Mr. R. Doig, the well-known pilot, to demonstrate the machine designed for the "little man"—The Flying Flea, the cheapest aeroplane on the market, an ideal machine for the owner-pilot of limited means. All those who contemplate taking up flying will do well to visit the ground especially to watch closely how easily the Flying Flea can be handled. The public will be able to obtain valuable practical information about the latest development in popular aviation. 

Pauline Gower and Dorothy Spicer were heavily involved giving joyrides (with a break in the middle after Pauline's accident).

 Half-Price entry on the 16th July! (please note, this offer has now expired)

2 May: "PILOT'S DEATH CRASH Third of Four Brothers to Lose His Life A pilot, Captain Walter Oliver Cadic (27) of Chalk, Gravesend, Kent, was killed yesterday during an air display in Hereford. Cadic was flying solo in an eight horse power 'plane when his machine crashed. Hundreds of people saw the accident. No-one else was injured. The machine which Captain Cadic was piloting was have been used the first 'plane for a flying club which it has been suggested should be started in Hereford.

A witness of the accident told our reporter ''The engine of the machine seemed to dry up, and then the 'plane went into a spin. We thought it was part of the display to show how it could manoeuvre, but then, to our horror, it crashed." Mrs Campbell Black told a reporter in London that, according to a message she had received from her husband, who saw the accident, the machine was not connected with the display, but was one which the pilot had been given permission to borrow for a flight.

Cadic was the third son of Colonel and Mrs S. Cadic, of Manor House, Chalk, Gravesend, to lose his life. Two of his brothers were killed during the Great War and Major S. Cadic is the only surviving son. Mr Cadic was unmarried. "

5 May: "FLYING FLEA CRASH Flight-Lieutenant A. M. Cowell was killed when the Flying Flea which he was piloting crashed at Penshurst, Kent, yesterday. A witness of the crash said to a ' Press and Mirror' reporter: "I was on Penshurst Station watching the little 'plane. It seemed to be going well, and had gone up a few hundred feet when it nose-dived. It went down like a plummet, but did not burst into flames." Flight-Lieutenant Cowell was 27, and was formerly in the Royal Air Force in India. had acted as a test pilot for the Air League of the British Empire. Before joining the League he was with Sir Alan Cobham's " circus." He was married and lived in London. The machine was undergoing its final test prior to going on tour with the British Empire Air Display* "