Aviators of special interest at the airfield over the years

Amy Johnson

Amy Johnson, CBE (1st of July 1903 – 5th of January 1941) was a pioneering English aviatrix and was the first female pilot to fly alone from Britain to Australia. Flying solo or with her husband, Jim Mollison, she set numerous long-distance records during the 1930s. She flew in the Second World War as a part of the Air Transport Auxiliary and died during a ferry flight. In 1940, during the Second World War, Johnson joined the newly formed Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), whose job was to transport Royal Air Force aircraft around the country and rose to First Officer. Her ex-husband Jim Mollison also flew for the ATA throughout the war. On the 5th of January 1941, while flying an Airspeed Oxford for the ATA from Prestwick via Blackpool to RAF Kidlington near Oxford, Johnson went off course in adverse weather conditions. Reportedly out of fuel, she bailed out as her aircraft crashed into the Thames Estuary. The crew of HMS Haslemere spotted Johnson's parachute coming down and saw her alive in the water, calling for help. Conditions were poor – there was a heavy sea and a strong tide, snow was falling and it was intensely cold. Lt Cdr Walter Fletcher, the commander of Haslemere, dived into the water in an attempt to rescue Johnson. However, he failed in the attempt and died in hospital days later. The current pushed Johnson closer to the ship. A sudden swell sent Haslemere lurching forward; the crew were unable to pull it back in time and the ship's stern crashed down on Johnson who was sucked into the blades of the propeller. Johnson's body was never recovered. As a member of ATA who has no known grave, she is (under the name Amy V. Johnson) commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede.

(above) Amy J's cottage.

(below) Amy's 'Jason'.

(above) back in Croydon after Australia record flight. August 1930

(below) four pictures of Amy with her 'DH Moth'

(below) Amy in 1930

(above and below) Croydon - Darwin. 1930

(Below) Amy arriving from Tokyo. 9th of September 1931.

Amy married Jim Mollison in July 1932

(above) crowds pack the Aerodrome Hotel and grounds awaiting the arrival of Amy and Jim.

(Below) Croydon - Cape Town - Croydon. 1932

(above and below) Amy with her 'DH Puss Moth', Desert Cloud' at Croydon before leaving for Cape Town.  (above) getting Amy's 'DH Puss Moth' ready for the flight   (above and below) Amy Mollison arriving back at Croydon  (above and below) Amy being cheered by crowd at Croydon after record flight Croydon-Cape Town-Croydon. 8th of December 1932

(above) Amy Mollison. 1932

(above) Amy was often not taken seriously even as ....the first woman to fly solo to Australia, and the only woman certificated by the 'Air Ministry'. Here Amy Johnson is overhauling her 'DH Gypsy Moth' in 1936.

A 78rpm recording was made by  the 'Jack Hilton Orchestra' in celebration of the great 'Amy Johnson'. It is interesting to note that it was the 'Jack Hilton Orchestra' that were the first to play and broadcast from an aircraft (Imperial Airways). Here is a link to the recording on 'Youtube'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGQJx39Ygh4