In the early part of
the Twentieth Century residents of Froyle grew accustomed to
the various flying machines that appeared overhead. Although
a small village, by the 1930s Froyle was surrounded by three
major airfields - Odiham to the north west, Farnborough to the
north and Lasham to the west. In fact, during World War 2, a
decoy aerodrome, with dummy aircraft, was built on nearby Holybourne
Down to attract German raiders away from the other airfields. |
This photograph was taken in 1937 and shows what we believe to be the German airship “Hindenberg” cruising to the north of the village. A visitor to the Millennium Exhibition in July 2000 who used to live in Husseys Lane recalled being told that it was the “Hindenberg” and recognised the photograph. |
This strange aircraft was the
General Aircraft GAL/56. It was a tailless experimental glider which
arrived at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough in the spring
of 1946. Those who flew it - it was normally towed to about 20,000 feet
by a Spitfire IX and then released - described it as the worse aircraft
they had ever flown! The flight observers - it was a two seat aircraft
- were just frightened. |