Film context by Philip Butcher (with additional material from Valerie Martin) East Anglian Film Archive
In the 1930s, Alan Cobham’s Flying Circus travelled all over Great Britain. In 1932 it visited Brentwood. Alan Cobham was an aviator with a theatrical streak. He had planes flying all over the sky, looping the loop, and swooping down low over the crowd. There were parachutists, formation flying, and rides for those brave enough to go up in an aeroplane. These shows were popular, and many amateurs filmed them, including Mr Neave of Hornchurch who took along his 16mm camera that day in 1932.
Born on 6th May 1894 the young Alan John Cobham began his working life with clothing wholesalers in the City of London. Following a brief exposure to agricultural work he joined the Army's Veterinary Corps at the outbreak of the First World War.
As the war progressed, Alan began to recognise the importance of mechanical transport and in 1917, (by then a Staff Sergeant), he secured a transfer to the Royal Air Force. On 1st January 1919, he found he was a civilian once more and learnt to fly during this period.
Alan rapidly gained valuable experience as an aerial photographic pilot and, fortunately for him, on 1st January 1921, Geoffrey de Havilland who, throughout the war years had been Airco's Chief Designer, engaged him as the first pilot for his newly formed de Havilland Aeroplane Hire Service.
In support of his new company's proud claim to 'Fly Anyone - Anywhere', Alan was rarely found out of the cockpit of his aircraft. He was endowed with not only charm and luck but also great energy and enthusiasm. Routine photographic work was supplemented by air taxi and charter flying which included long distance journeys throughout Europe and the Middle East. Within a year, he was de Havilland's senior pilot. His duties also embraced the test flying of new aircraft and entering them in performance competitions.
By 1932, Sir Alan's enthusiasm had turned towards providing his own touring airshow. Although formally registered as National Aviation Day (later Display) Limited, his travelling fleet of aircraft and airborne performers was more popularly referred to as 'Cobham's Flying Circus'. Spectacular aerobatic pilots, wing-walkers, parachutists and novelty turns excited the crowds the length and breadth of the country, and also, during the winter of 1932/33, at locations throughout South Africa.
This is how Sir Alan's Flying Circus came to be in the sky over Brentwood. Passengers could enjoy having a joy ride above the clouds and loop the loop over the village! No flying restrictions in 1933. Those were the days. Part crusader, part showman, Sir Alan helped popularise flying by taking many the Brentwood people on their first fight.
Alan Cobham lived through two world wars and into the jet age. By the time of his death, in 1973, air travel was common and within a few years Concorde would fly commercially.
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