1971 Ground Skimmer

BRITISH HANG GLIDING HISTORY THE MODERN FLEXWING

1981 Cross Country Flyer

Newsletter No 2

Hi
Sorry for the long delay between newsletters, but this project has turned out to be far larger and time consuming than I first believed. However, I’ll live with that. Even my expectation of help from many of you out there has also been realised and very valuable source it has turned out to be.  Every time I think the source is drying up, the next day when I go online it’s fantastic to find something new. You will hear no complaints from me. Please keep it coming, no matter how small you think the information is, I can always find a valuable place for it on this web site. Although at this moment in time I’m lacking some of the early local club information.

My biggest break though in the past couple of months was my making contact with Geoff McBroom, and of him getting together with all the friends that helped him build and fly his first hang glider, to confirm their history of events.

All his team is now certain that the very first flight took place during the early part of 1972, as they talk of Siberian style weather and of no leaves on the trees. While December 1971 is ruled out as a couple of them were out of the country at that time.
I’ve been able to add  4 photos of the glider that were taken at a much later date, when they were all reasonably  good flyers, by Arthur Duke who can place the photos as being taken between April and Junes.

Dave Watts has also spent some time going over his early history and has amended his first flight to being around August 1972. I would like to thank Both Geoff and Dave Watts and Dave Massie, for their help and their interest in this project that I hope will keep rolling forward as it is at the moment.

You might notice that I’ve also added a couple of new ‘Characters’ a project I’m working on to enlarge and have plans to add many more of the those early pioneers.
It’s quite amazing how everybody I’ve approached have been most helpful and sent me material and offers of help.

Also been in touch with Bertie Kennedy and been able to set up a Northern Ireland section, with Bertie recalling how it all started for them and will be adding to it as he finds time to put pen to paper.

Which lead to me making contact with James (Jimmy) Potts, who has promised to send further information and a photo about his Powered flight from Ireland to Scotland in 1979.

Which also lead to Brian Harrison from Scotland promising to also send me a little information on his long and colourful career.

However, I’m still trying to track down Justin Wills who I know was flying in 1972, as I have included articles about him from ‘Sailplane & Gliding’ 1972. If anybody out there can help, it would be much appreciated.

I'm also trying to make contact with Chris Johnson.

Been in touch with Bob Calvert, but he's not to keen in getting involved, says that he's not interested in History. If there is anybody out there who would like to write and article on what Bob achieved, I would be most interested. Even if Bobs not interest in this project he played a major part in the development of the Hang Glider and I and others strongly believe he should be remember for for he did.

One major problem I have is actuate dates, if you think I've dropped an event into the wrong position on the History pages, and you were there and know the exact date or at least strongly believe that I've got it wrong. Please get in touch and I'll make the necessary changes. One of my main aims is to get the dates as accurate as possible.

Terry Aspinall
19.12.08