The Estate - Bevendean History Project
Forced Landing Thrills at Moulsecombe
Alarm as Pilot Glides over Brighton Roof Tops
Moulsecombe witnessed the
forced landing in dramatic circumstances just before 11.30 last night
of an eight-seater “Air Dispatch” aeroplane, which made a
wonderful descent on the green in the Avenue, after having lost the use
of its wireless apparatus and run short of petrol.
The plane, piloted by Mr. J. C. Chappell, in company with a wireless operator, Mr. J. Tidbury, had taken part in anti-aircraft exercises at Doncaster, having been engaged for the evening by the Air Ministry. I then made for Croydon.
The wireless became disabled, and the pilot encountered thick mist and decided to make for the coastline.
The plane, piloted by Mr. J. C. Chappell, in company with a wireless operator, Mr. J. Tidbury, had taken part in anti-aircraft exercises at Doncaster, having been engaged for the evening by the Air Ministry. I then made for Croydon.
The wireless became disabled, and the pilot encountered thick mist and decided to make for the coastline.
Low Over Brighton
He circled low over Brighton
and people on the front became alarmed when they saw the machine
skimming dangerously near the tops of hotels.
Mr. Leslie Catt, realising the pilot was in difficulty, flashed his motorcycle lamp in an effort to guide the pilot onto the green which runs from the main Lewes Road into the hills, and other motorists did likewise.
Mr S. C. Rawlins, Chairman of the Moulsecoomb Social Club drove his car onto the green and brought his headlights into play.
“The plane was flying not ten yards above the chimney pots,” said Mr Rawlins to a Gazette reporter, “and I could see the exhaust against the blackness of the hills. Three times it circled, obviously well under control, and then it came down missing me by a few feet.
“The plane tore through the telephone phone and wireless relay wires stretching across the Avenue, and came to rest on the green between the houses.”
Children screamed when they heard the role of the engine, and the woman who ran to her front door fainted when she saw what she feared would be a crash.
Mrs. Richardson, who lives opposite where the plane landed, ran out to inquire whether anybody was injured.
The pilot replied, “No thanks,” and asked to be directed to the public telephone kiosk, where he phoned his employers to notify them of his landing.
He and his companion had an amazing escape. They were unhurt, and the only damage to the plane was buckling of the tip of the starboard wing.
Mr. Chapple said: “We left Doncaster after co-operating in an A.R.P. exercise. The weather was good, but on the way back to Croydon are wireless set failed to operate and we lost our way. I decided to fly on thinking that if I reach the coastline I should be able to pick up a landmark and find my way back to Croydon.
“I found Brighton, but as I had never been there before I did not know the district, and all the time I was running short on petrol. I circled round and round the town and narrowly missed hitting some of the taller buildings, especially on the Front.
“Flying inland, I search for a field or a park where I could bring my plane down, and eventually cited the stretch of green where I managed to get the machine down. I was compelled to make a forced landing owing to shortage of petrol, there was nothing wrong with my engine.
“People in Brighton no doubt were alarmed when I cut my engine out and started to glide, but I only did that so that I could save petrol.”
Mr. Leslie Catt, realising the pilot was in difficulty, flashed his motorcycle lamp in an effort to guide the pilot onto the green which runs from the main Lewes Road into the hills, and other motorists did likewise.
Mr S. C. Rawlins, Chairman of the Moulsecoomb Social Club drove his car onto the green and brought his headlights into play.
“The plane was flying not ten yards above the chimney pots,” said Mr Rawlins to a Gazette reporter, “and I could see the exhaust against the blackness of the hills. Three times it circled, obviously well under control, and then it came down missing me by a few feet.
“The plane tore through the telephone phone and wireless relay wires stretching across the Avenue, and came to rest on the green between the houses.”
Children screamed when they heard the role of the engine, and the woman who ran to her front door fainted when she saw what she feared would be a crash.
Mrs. Richardson, who lives opposite where the plane landed, ran out to inquire whether anybody was injured.
The pilot replied, “No thanks,” and asked to be directed to the public telephone kiosk, where he phoned his employers to notify them of his landing.
He and his companion had an amazing escape. They were unhurt, and the only damage to the plane was buckling of the tip of the starboard wing.
Mr. Chapple said: “We left Doncaster after co-operating in an A.R.P. exercise. The weather was good, but on the way back to Croydon are wireless set failed to operate and we lost our way. I decided to fly on thinking that if I reach the coastline I should be able to pick up a landmark and find my way back to Croydon.
“I found Brighton, but as I had never been there before I did not know the district, and all the time I was running short on petrol. I circled round and round the town and narrowly missed hitting some of the taller buildings, especially on the Front.
This picture taken after midnight shows the plane
after its forced landing on the small strip of green.
after its forced landing on the small strip of green.
“Flying inland, I search for a field or a park where I could bring my plane down, and eventually cited the stretch of green where I managed to get the machine down. I was compelled to make a forced landing owing to shortage of petrol, there was nothing wrong with my engine.
“People in Brighton no doubt were alarmed when I cut my engine out and started to glide, but I only did that so that I could save petrol.”
From: The Brighton Gazette - 20 May 1939
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