Handley Page Type E "Yellow Peril" at Endike, Hull.

On 29th June 1913 this Handley Page Type E mono-plane was flown from a site at Lincoln to a field that was used as an aerodrome in the Endike area of Hull in preparation for a planned and advertised flying demonstration that was due to take place there as part of a wider flying tour. The event would see paying visitors witness flying from the site at Endike. The pilot, Ronald Whitehouse, was also based at Hendon and appears to have been the aeroplane's regular pilot for this tour of the North. After being in the East Riding of Yorkshire for a period of time to give exhibition flying it was then planned to head north to Scotland. The Hull and East Riding Aero Club were instrumental for many of the early flying exhibitions in Hull around this era but this particular event appears to have been promoted by a national company, the Scientific Aviation Company (Limited) of St.Albans. The event begun on Thursday, 10th July 1913 and was due to run until Sunday, 13th July 1913. In this modern era we must remember that religious observance was far more strict than it is today. With the event being pre-planned and advertised there was significant opposition in Hull to any flying being made on the Sabbath over the city. So much was the opposition that the Mayor declared that he would envoke the King Charles's Sunday Observance Act and if the public gathered to watch the flying they may also be prosecuted for aiding and abetting. The event began on 10th July 1913 with around 3,000 people present. On 11th July 1913 the aeroplane was twice flown from Hull over Beverley and returned to Hull. On Saturday, 12th July 1913 the flying was more involved with several flights being made over Hull during the afternoon. The first flight was made at 15.30hrs, it rose to around 2000ft and flew in a stiff breeze towards The Humber, the pilot turned around and returned to the aerodrome field but on return flight a stay wire broke on left wing which should have resulted in collapse of the wing but aeroplane landed normally. A quick repair was made and a second flight was then undertaken. This saw the aeroplane make several circuits of St.Stephens Church, and fly low near Hull's cricket ground so low that the match was stopped to allow spectators to view the aeroplane, before returning to the aerodrome site. At around 18.30hrs a third flight was attempted and the aeroplane was ran into the centre of flying field prior to take off. On take off part of the flying surface appears to have failed, while it became airborne it skimmed the tea-tent roof and cleared the aerodrome boundary but then descended. It failed to clear a hedge alongside Endike Lane and nose-dived into a ditch known as the Beverley and Barmston Drain. The propeller was broken but the soft ditch saved the engine from damage. The pilot got out injured. That evening Ronald Whitehouse called for the help of expert mechanics and the machine was repaired swiftly with a new propeller being obtained and supplies sent up to Hull by train. Thousands of people gathered on Sunday, 13th July 1913 for the expected flying display with police taking many thousand names and addresses of those present before any flying was attempted. At 17.00hrs the repairs were complete and a flight was made over people on Beverley Road and Collingham Road before landing at Endike. The pilot and the company promoting the event were considered for prosecution but eventually charges had to dropped as the flight was made outside of the Hull city limits.

After the Hull flying meeting this aeroplane and it's promoters were moved to a site between Beverley and Leconfield where a similar exhibition of flying was planned for 16th July 1913. It was slightly damaged at Leconfield on 16th July 1913. One was also advertised to take place at Driffield between 17th July 1913 and 20th July 1913 during Driffield Show but I have found no evidence as yet to suggest this actually went ahead. The local newspaper suggests it was postponed as no suitable flying field could be found.

Pilot - Mr Evelyn Ronald Whitehouse.