The pilot of this aircraft would take part in the King's Cup flying race around the UK which took place on 20th / 21st July 1928, she would come third in the race, and became the first woman to complete the course and also won the Siddeley trophy as the first club aviator to cross the finish line. As part of her preparation for the race she was undertaking a trial flight over part of the route earlier in July 1928, as part of the flight she was flying over West Cumbria and flew into strong winds and fog. She made a forced-landing in a field near Cleator flax mill and Black How Farm, Cleator, landing safely. Because of the weather she was forced to stay in the area for two days, as a guest of Rev and Mrs R M Clarkson, before taking off again.
Pilot - Miss Winifred Evelyn Spooner.
Winifred Spooner was born on 11th September 1900 in Woolwich, Kent. She gained her Royal Aero Club aviator's certificate on 11th August 1927 at the London Aeroplane Club. She became a well known pilot of her day, finishing third in the 1928 King's Cup, fifth in the 1929 King's Cup and fifth in the 1931 King's Cup. She died of pneumonia on 13th January 1933 and is buried in St.Swithin's Church at Kinton Parva, Wiltshire. A biography was published about her life in 2009.
Circus Moth G-EBOT was first registered on the UK civilian register on 5th July 1926 to The De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd at Stag Lane, and was used by the De Havilland School of Flying there. In August 1927 Miss Spooner obtained the registration of the aircraft and it continued to be based at Stag Lane. It was later registered to Powis & Phillips Aircraft Ltd on 6th October 1928 and based at Woodley. After a few more changes in ownership it was registered to Charles Robert Shoults in August 1931 and operated by the Herts and Essex Aero Club at Broxbourne. It would crash near Broxbourne, Essex on 13th December 1931 killing the pilot, The Hon. George Garrow Tomlin. The registration of the aircraft cancelled by the end of 1931.
The location of where this incident occurred has not yet been found. If you can assist please contact me
HERE. Thank you.
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