Cobham's Flying Circus

In the 1930’s, what is now the Dun Cow public house in Burnmoor was surrounded by fields. It was in the fields opposite - now largely occupied by housing - which extended to Houghton Gate, where “Cobham’s Flying Circus” performed.

Sir Alan John Cobham, KBE, AFC (born 6th May 1894, died 21 October 1973) was an English aviation pioneer. He was a long-distance aviator who became famous for his exploits in the interwar years. In 1932 he started “National Aviation Day” displays. These consisted of a team of up to fourteen aircraft, ranging from single-seaters to modern airliners, and many skilled pilots. It toured the country, calling at hundreds of sites, some of them regular airfields and some just fields cleared for the occasion, such as the site opposite the Dun Cow. Generally known as "Cobham's Flying Circus", it was hugely popular, giving thousands of people not only their first sight of an aircraft but in some cases their first experience of flying. The Cobham displays here took place on 30^th June 1933, 22^nd May 1934 and 5^th July 1935.

Above: a souvenir postcard from Sir Alan Cobham's Air Display

Sir Alan Cobham learned to fly while in the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War and later went on to break many long distance aviation records. These included being the first man to fly from London to Cape Town and back in 1926 and in the same year to be the first man to fly from London to Australia and back. He also won many notable aviation trophies such as the King’s Cup air race in 1924 and the Britannia Trophy in 1923, 1925 and 1926. At the age of 32, Sir Alan Cobham was made a Knight of the British Empire after the successful completion of his Australia flight where he landed on the River Thames outside the Houses of Parliament.

The ‘Cobham’s Flying Circus’ tours were intended to promote aviation to the British public and were the source of inspiration for countless pilots in the Second World War. An inspiration, which during the ensuing decades, has faded from the memory of the general public. Cobham later went on to pioneer the aeronautical technique of air-to-air refuelling through technology that he developed with his company Flight Refuelling Limited. So advanced was the technology he developed, his ‘probe and drogue’ technique is still used today and the company he founded is still very much in business. His legacy to aviation lives on through this company which still continues to pioneer aeronautical technologies today.

The first visit of Sir Alan and his air display team took place on 30th June, 1933 and was greeted with much excitement and anticipation by the local press. This is how it was reported one week before the event:

Chester-le-Street Chronicle and District Advertiser, 23 June 1933

Sir Alan Cobham To Visit Lambton Grounds.

Great Air Display

Taking as his slogan “Make the skyways Britain’s highways,” Sir Alan Cobham and his squadron of famous display pilots are continuing the National Aviation Day campaign which has proved so successful in arousing interest in civil aviation development. Now Sir Alan has decided to visit Houghton Road, Lambton, on Friday, June 30. Sir Alan’s crusade has the object of freeing British aviation from the bonds of international control that threaten to bind this flourishing new industry. Sir Alan has proved that it is necessary to interest and entertain the public in order to enlist their support and his display this year is the finest and most stimulating exhibition of superb flying that has yet been seen. With the approval of the Air Ministry and the support of the entire aeronautical community, the display is to be held at over 300 towns.

Members of Council to Fly

The name, National Aviation Day, is significant. It means that a whole day in this area will be devoted to make everybody think about flying. The lead is being given by the Mayor of Durham, the Town Clerk, the Borough Engineer and are also issuing three invitations to Urban and three to Rural District Councillors and other prominent local gentlemen to fly with Sir Alan in one of the air liners he is bringing with him. Sir Alan is again energetically pursuing his ideal of an aerodrome for every town and village in the country, for it is obvious that unless there be landing grounds for the reception of aircraft, aviation cannot make progress.

Ambitious Programme

National Aviation Day of 1933 promises us a spectacle the like of which has never been seen before – not only from the point of the number of aircraft or the skill and cool daring of the stunt pilots, but also from the point of the originality and scope of the programme. Two complete displays are given daily, the first performance starting at 2.15pm and the second at 6.00pm. It is a display which will appeal to everyone. The programme will include many surprise items and thrills hitherto unseen by the British public and will also comprise such popular events as the impressive formation flight and fly-past of all the aircraft in the display (in which the public may now go up as passengers). Twenty of the most skilful pilots in the country have been brought together by Sir Alan. The feats will include breath-taking displays of aerobatics, a miniature Schneider Trophy race within constant view of the spectators, a most daring parachute descent (including an opportunity for the public to see the parachutist “taking a header” into space from the air), demonstrations of the Autogiro, a unique exhibition of upside-down flying by a world-famous pilot, a demonstration of the control of an aeroplane by wireless and dancing in the air.

New Thrills For Passengers

There will be aerobatic flights for the people who wish to experience the exhilaration of stunting, a display of wing-walking which will quicken the pulse of the most hardened, an opportunity for an old war-time pilot once more to try his hand at flying and a chance for an amateur wing-walker to test his skill and nerve. Humorous events are a feature of programme. Sir Alan has found among his staff a fund of humorous talent and the comic items are the funniest yet seen on an aerodrome. Passenger flights, at moderate charges, will be available in all types of aircraft. A visit to the display will prove beyond doubt the amazing reliability of British aircraft and pilots and will give the spectator a thrilling and instructive demonstration of the need for free and unhindered progress.

New Aircraft

A word must be said about the aircraft Sir Alan is bringing with him. There will be two air liners, which will give flights to the public at a lower charge than has hitherto been possible. Sir Alan has recently added to his squadron the famous Lincock, high-speed fighter which has the reputation of being the finest aerobatic machine yet built. A marvellous demonstration of the art of aerobatics is given with this machine. There will also be a new type of Tiger Moth, specially designed for the advanced training of pilots of the Royal Air Force, on which machine will be given a remarkable exhibition of inverted flying – a demonstration rarely seen outside the R.A.F. pageant at Hendon. It is interesting to note that as the Tiger Moth has a special inverted fuel tank and carburettor, the pilot is able to continue flying for long periods – and actually climb and turn – when the machine is on its back. The latest type of Autogiro will also show its paces – in fact, practically every type of modern aircraft will take part in the programme.

Parachute Descent

One event which never fails to attract is the parachute descent. When about 2,000 feet up, the parachutist leaps into space and after falling like a stone for a few seconds, pulls the cord which releases the parachute. The parachutist must judge the strength of the wind in relation to his altitude in order to alight in the centre of the flying field. It is not generally known that a parachutist descends at the rate of 16 feet a second, to which must be added the speed of the wind. This year, Sir Alan has engaged four parachutists so that the public may never be disappointed through indisposition of the parachutist. A national campaign of this character would be incomplete without an aerial photographer to provide air views of factories, town planning schemes, etc. Sir Alan Cobham has therefore arranged for an Aerofilms photographic unit to accompany the display and take photographs of places of interest en route. For many years, Sir Alan has pioneered on his own. He has performed feats which are without parallel and which afford an outstanding example of what an enthusiast can achieve single-handed. Now he is anxious to enlist the services of the public in this crusade for the freedom of British aviation.

Official Support

Every official body in the aviation movement is lending its support to National Aviation Day. These bodies include the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Royal Aero Club, the Air League of the British Empire, the Society of British Aircraft Constructors and the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators. Furthermore, the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, the Civil Aviation Section of the London Chamber of Commerce and the Automobile Association, recognising the national value of the campaign, have granted it their support and assistance.

Above: an advertisement for Alan Cobham's Flying Circus from the Chester-le-Street Chronicle, 18th May, 1934.

Above: a report for Alan Cobham's Flying Circus from the Chester-le-Street Chronicle, 25th May, 1934.

Above: generating local interest: a report for Alan Cobham's Flying Circus from the Chester-le-Street Chronicle, 25th May, 1934.

The following article is taken from the Chester-le-Street Chronicle of 28th June, 1935, ahead of the visit of Alan Cobham's Flying Circus to Houghton Gate on 5th July 1935:

Chester-le-Street Chronicle, June 28, 1935:

New Air Display. Visit of Sir Alan Cobham’s Pilots.

Notable Chester-le-Street Attractions.

Free flights for “Chester-le-Street Chronicle” Readers.

Taking as his slogan “Make the Skyways Britain’s Highways,” Sir Alan Cobham and his squadron of famous display pilots are continuing the National Aviation Day campaign which has proved so successful in arousing interest in civil aviation development.

Never before has Sir Alan Cobham presented so vividly and entertainingly the lessons of his National Aviation Day Campaign as in his great new air display which will be held at:

Houghton Gate, Burnmoor, on Friday, July 5 and

Belmont Race Course, Durham, on Saturday and Sunday, July 6-7.

This year’s display comprises twenty entirely new events and includes such famous figures as Miss Joan Meakin, the celebrated glider girl; Mr Louis Rowley, one of the finest aerobatic pilots in the country; Capt. Idwell Jones, the latest “wizard” of crazy flying; and Mr A. Harris, the most expert British parachutist. Two air-liners will be seen at the display and amongst and amongst the new aircraft will be an Autogiro and examples of the finest types of British civil aircraft. Here are some of the remarkable exhibitions, all absolutely novel, which Sir Alan Cobham has arranged:

- Looping in formation. A new feat by three daring pilots whose aeroplanes are joined together by ribbons from wing to wing. The cleverest exhibition of close formation flying yet seen.

- The Autogiro. A demonstration of the amazing “wingless wonder,” the most extraordinary aircraft in existence. The latest Autogiro has no wings or control planes and the pilot controls the machine by movement of the shaft carrying the revolving vanes.

- Demonstration of the G.Q. parachute by Mr A. Harris. This new, all-British parachute is being demonstrated to the public generally for the first time. Mr Harris, the most expert British parachutist, will make a free jump from 2,000 feet.

- “Flying’s most difficult feat.” Mr Louis Rowley’s newest and greatest thrill. He picks up with his wing tip a flag held in a man’s hand.

- Glider aerobatics. Miss Joan Meakin describes her evolutions by radio-telephony while performing aerobatics in her new “Wolf” glider. Miss Meakin is the first woman to loop a glider and her machine is the first engineless aircraft to be equipped with wireless transmission.

- Championship acrobatics. Mr Rowley, flying his new Tiger Moth, performs every known feat in aerobatics. His display includes every test of the International Aerobatic Championships and additional feats which he has perfected himself. He flies inverted only 30 feet from the ground.

- Children’s Hour. An amusing interlude from 5.30 to 6.30 p.m. when parties will be escorted round the aircraft park and special attractions and novelties will be arranged for children of all ages.

- An obstacle air race for passengers; wonderful feats of crazy flying; humorous events; a demonstration of air publicity; and several popular free flight competitions.

To witness this demonstration is surely to be convinced that British pilots and aircraft are supreme – and that Sir Alan has selected for his purpose the best that Britain can offer. Without doubt the new display forms the greatest array of modern aircraft and flying talent that has yet been assembled in a civil organisation. Certainly no pilots in the world can equal this record - more than 1,400 performances given before no less than 2,050,000 people and nearly 500,000 persons taken up without mishap to any passenger. Sir Alan’s inspiring slogan “Make the Skyways Britain’s Highways” is now rapidly being realised. Whereas, five years ago not a single internal air route was operating in the British Isles, today air lines are operating or about to open, from Penzance to the Orkneys and every town which possesses an aerodrome is being linked up in a thriving system of inland airways. Public confidence has been won air transport. But Sir Alan Cobham’s ambition of an aerodrome for every town is still far from accomplishment. Only 20 towns throughout the country have provided themselves with an aerodrome and only 10 more have acquired an aerodrome site. Sir Alan’s contention that no town can afford to be left out of air transport development is now incontrovertible and once again he is submitting it to the verdict of the public from end to end of the British Isles by means of a great Air Display which cannot fail to arouse enthusiasm and support for flying.

The complete programme of the display lasts three hours and is given in full twice daily, commencing at 2.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. respectively. Admission is 1s 3d for adults, 6d for children and 1s for cars. Passenger flights will be provided in a wide variety of different types of aircraft, from the “wingless” Autogiro to the great “Astra” air liner with its Bristol “Jupiter” engines developing 1,100 h.p. and its spacious cabin seating 22 passengers. Flights are available from 4s.

Above: a souvenir badge of the visit of Cobham's Flying Circus

Above: Sir Alan Cobham featured on a cigarette card issued in 1926