This picture was probably taken somewhere around 1955/56. It shows CDC standing outside the Rollason hanger at Croydon still in RAF camouflage.

Various parts have been taken off and the RAF roundels have been painted out, it does look in a rather sorry state. By 1957 it had been fully restored and repainted in its original Hatfield colour scheme and started a new flying life with The Tiger Club.

Picture © of A.J. Jackson collection.

This picture, though fading with age, was taken at Shoreham, West Sussex sometime during the 1930’s and though faded in places shows CDC taxiing out for a flight, possibly back to Hatfield. The aircraft was then owned by De Havilland’s and based at Hatfield.

Picture © of A.J. Jackson collection.

Rollasons under the leadership of Norman Jones rebuilt Puss Moth and thought it would be an ideal aircraft for those Club members who enjoyed touring. It joined the fleet in 1963. Only a few months after it had joined the fleet it forced landed in France and hit a cow! The remains were bought back to Croydon and it was on long-term rebuild rejoining the Club in 1967. Though there were regular entreaties to the Club members in the Tiger Rag to fly the aircraft over the next couple of years but it became something of a hangar queen. It was only when it was sold in 1969 that the members regretted its loss.

Picture © of John Blake.

In 1960 two Turbulents were entered for the Kings Cup flown by John Severne and Clive Francis. This was the first year that a Turbulent won the competition with PNZ coming home at an average speed of 105.5mph; Clive came second in the race with PZZ. Other Club aircraft that won the Kings Cup were, Fred Dunkerley in Tiger Moth G-AIVW in 1958 which later was used on floats by the Club. In 1964 Dennis Hartas won flying the Cosmic Wind Ballerina G-ARUL.

Picture © of John Blake.

When we moved Headcorn the Club purchased a Pitts to encourage more advanced aerobatics. The aircraft had previously been with the Rothmans Aerobatic Team and it still had the colour scheme. The aircraft only stayed with the Club for a couple of years, as it was not a success and was too expensive to operate.

G-ATKC first appeared on the French civil register in 1958 being operated by the Aero Club de Dinard. It was the third Stampe purchased by Rollasons and it came straight onto the Club fleet after having its Renault engine replaced by a Gipsy, following G-AROZ and G-ASHS. In 1966 it was flown to Moscow as the backup aircraft to G-ASHS for the World Aerobatic Championships and this is when the attached photo was taken. During its time with the Club it flew over 5000 hours. Sadly it suffered an airframe failure during the 1987 Garden Party weekend at Little Gransden and both occupants died in the crash.

Norman Jones located it in France and it was flown over and Rollasons re-engined it with a Gipsy. Many more were to follow over the years. Its flying career ended at the Biggin Hill Air Show when John Blake as commentator was said to have commented "... and Neil Williams has taken it behind the hangar and left it there!" Fortunately Neil was unhurt but the aircraft was written off.

Picture © of John Blake.