Percival Vega Gull G-AEJJ at Thirsk.
On Saturday, 1st May 1937 a horse race meeting was held at Thirsk racecourse. After the race day was over one of the jockeys was to be flown from Thirsk to London (Heston?) in a Vega Gull. Unfortunately immediately after taking off from the racecourse the aeroplane stalled and fell into a small plantation. While the aircraft appears to sustained damage to the wings and fuselage those on board escaped injury. Both passengers were later taken to Newton House (Leeming) where they caught a ride to London in another aeroplane. The jockey had raced elsewhere in the 1000 Guineas the day previously and had presuambly flown to Thirsk in the aeroplane. He came second, third and unplaced in three races he rode at Thirsk.
On paper this aeroplane was owned by Lillian Hartigan Gibbs (later Falk by marriage). It was also owned by her company LHG Ltd. She was a director of British-American Air Services who also had ownership of this aeroplane. It was based at Heston throughout it's civilian existance. Lillian Hartigan Gibbs also appears to have been a racehorse owner.
Pilot - Mr Wilde (probably F/O Reginald Geoffrey Wilde RAFO (29053)).
Passenger - Mr Georges Albert Richard Bridgland. French Jockey.
Passenger - Mr J Clayton, of Newmarket.