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Haldon Airport
Haldon Aerodrome was the first airfield in Devon. Established in the 1920s as a private flying field, it developed into an airport with scheduled airline service, and was used by the Navy during World War II. The airport has also been known as Teignmouth Airport, Little Haldon Airfield and, in its military days, RNAS Haldon and HMS Heron II. History Development William Richard "Bill" Parkhouse, an ex Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) pilot, established the Agra Engineering Company as a motor company in Teignmouth after World War I. He had hoped to expand by becoming the West Country dealer for De Havilland aircraft, and wanted a flying field for himself. In 1928 he rented of heathland to the north-west of Teignmouth. There are not many flat areas in the region, and despite the rough ground and the altitude of the field leading to regular high winds and low cloud, he established an airfield. The land was rolled as flat as possible with a concrete roller pulled by an ancient tract ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Straight Corporation
The Straight Corporation Ltd was a significant operator of British airlines, airports and flying clubs from 1935 until the mid 1970s. Its major unit, Western Airways, expanded to become an important parts manufacturer, a maintenance, repair and upgrade organisation, and a builder of transport aircraft. Foundation Whitney Willard Straight was a successful racing driver in the early 1930s, but his American millionaire mother and English step-father, Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst, were concerned for his safety and sought a less dangerous occupation for him, especially as he was about to marry. At a dinner at their home, Dartington Hall in Devon, they discussed this with William (Bill) Parkhouse, who was the owner of a local auto engineering company, and founder of Haldon Airfield, where Straight had learned to fly a few years earlier. Parkhouse had been concerned that smaller airports, such as Exeter and Torquay, with which he was also involved, and smaller airlines, were too s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
