1932

(being) A complete list of Alan Cobham's 'National Aviation Day' displays, in the UK and South Africa, during 1932

1932 crew in Glasgow: l to r: Flt Lt Rawson, Capt Eskell (manager), Capt Parkinson, F/O Curndall, Capt Lawson, Mr T Nash, Flt Lt Johnson, Mr Martin Hearn, F/O Turner Hughes, Capt Glover	Martin Hearne thrills the crowd at Heston, on July 28th

May 11, Derby:

"Several of the "Derby Evening Telegraph" readers who enjoyed our free flights have written to the Editor expressing thanks. "I would like to say," writes one reader, "that if anyone is frightened of going up, there is nothing at all of which to be afraid. It is very similar to being in a motor-car. The only difference is when the machine lands and then you catch your breath a bit. But it's a great thrill."

October 2, Berwick:

"DESPITE CLERGY'S OPPOSITION Despite opposition from the clergy of Berwick, Sir Alan Cobham's air circus will visit the town on Sunday and give a display. The clergy's protest was to the effect that Sunday was not a suitable day, and that it would affect the attendances at church. The Mayor of Berwick, at the Town Council meeting, said, "I shall be on the flying ground after church. I do not think I shall go myself; I do not want to fly with anybody."

October 8, Nottingham:

"PLANE CRASHES AT RUFFORD. SIR ALAN'S "CIRCUS" PILOT ESCAPES. BOLSOVER DISPLAY. One of Sir Alan Cobham's air circus planes crashed near Rufford, yesterday, while on its way to take part in an aviation display arranged Sir Alan at Bolsover. The pilot, named Herne, escaped without injury, though the machine capsized. The accident occurred when the plane was taking off after a landing, and the engine and wings were considerably damaged."

"AIR CIRCUS FOR SOUTH AFRICA When Sir Alan Cobham leaves on November 4 for South Africa upon an organised tour, during which will visit 70 centres with a fleet of aeroplanes, he will carry among his equipment Osram valves, supplied by the General Electric Co., Ltd.

During the tour one of the 'planes will literally dance in the air to broadcast music picked up by the valves"

December 1932: "The outfit is  completed by a Public Address apparatus in its own van and a very comprehensive fleet of six-wheeled 2-1/2 ton Leyland lorries and Siddeley saloon cars to deal with all the equipment during the many moves from place to place."

17 Feb 1933: "DARING AIRMAN KILLED IN CRASH AT CAPETOWN. STUNTS IN GLOUCESTER Two airmen belonging to Sir Alan Cobham's air circus have been killed in a crash at Capetown airport. They were Captain H. Lawson and Mr. E. Ross. The two aeroplanes were stunting together over the airport, when one, piloted by Captain Lawson, crashed from a height of 3,000 feet. Captain Lawson was married only eight days ago to Miss Stella Parsons, a 21-years-old girl of Uitenhage. Their romance started when at Maritzburg when he took her up as passenger. Mr. Ross was the wireless expert.

Cool and Accomplished Pilot

Capt. Lawson was with Sir Alan Cobham's National Air Display at Partou Farm, Cheltenham-road, near Gloucester, on May 7  and 8 last year. He gave a most polished and daring exhibition of acrobatics. He flew upside down, executed a loop with the pilot the outside of the loop, one of the most difficult feats that is possible in the air, and slow rolls and turns without banking. He showed Gloucester that he was one of the most daring, cool, and accomplished stunt pilots that aviation has known."

Pilots:

- Sir Alan Cobham

- Fit. Lt. C. F. Turner-Hughes (aerobatics pilot)

- Fit. Lt. H. C. Johnson

- Fit. Lt. H. Lawson

- Fit. Lt.  A. H. C. Rawson (Autogiro),

- Mr. C. W. H. Bebb

- Mr. M.  Hearn

- Mr Louw (Vacuum Oil Co)

Parachutist:

- Mr. Ivor Price

Aeroplanes:

- 1931 D.H.66 Hercules G-ABMT 'City of Cape Town' (bought from Imperial  Airways, Ltd., and used for passenger flights);

- 1930 Cierva C.19 IV Autogiro G-ABGB (demonstrations and passenger flights);

- 1931 Armstrong-Whitworth A.W.16 G-ABKF (aerobatics);

and three Avro Tutors (chiefly for passenger aerobatics and trial lessons):

- 1932 Avro 621 Tutor G-ABZP belonging to National Aviation Displays Ltd;

- 1929 Avro 621 Tutor G-AARZ belonging to Avro;

- 1932 Avro 621 Tutor G-ABZR belonging to Avro

plus

- Avro Avian (Vacuum Oil Co) - presumably 1930 Avro 594 Avian IVm ZS-ABQ