Birkett Air Service Ltd

BIRKETT AIR SERVICE, LTD., (1932 - 1953) 237, Acton Lane, London, W.4 (Chiswick 3000). Base: Croydon. F/L. G.Birkett (chairman and mg. dr.), J. R. C.Leech (ops. and com.mgr.). All types of charter work. B.A.C.A. member.

Gerorge Birkett formed his air charter operations at Heston in 1932, Flights started in February 1935 with a 'DH83 Leopard Moth' and a 'Miles M4 Merlin', Leopard Moth being lost in a crash on the 10th of July. Two more 'DH35's' are recived in 1936 and these fly long distance, on demand services to the Middle-East and Africa, as well as press and cargo flights about the UK. Another Leopard Moth is received in June 1937. All operations are suspended at the outbreak of war, a 'DH90 Dragonfly' on order is accepted in December but sold in March 1940. In January and March 1947, a 'DH89A' and an 'Airspeed AS65 Consul' respectively accepted. These are employed to resume company business from Croydon in May. Another Dragon Rapide is taken in April, followed by a third in 1948, and a 'Percival Proctor' in the same month. Under a BEA agreement scheduled flights Shoreham-Deauville are inaugurated on the 1st of July 1950. Summer pleaasure charters are flown in 1951 and 1952, with sufficient demand in the latter year with some flights to be offered from Northolt. Unablr to begin two scheduled routes to Albany in the summer of 1953 and without the previous years pleasure charters, the carrier stops flying on the 31st of July 1953.

(above) FT Digby a Birkett's pilot next to one of their Leopard Moth's.

(above) 'Miles M4 Merlin'. (below) a movie and photo shoot display of Birkett's at Heston. 'DH Leopard Moth' and 'Merlin' as show pieces.

(below) two of Birkett's DH89 Dragon Rapide