Handley Page H.P.81 Hermes

My first flight was in an Airwork's Hermes. Flew from Aden to Khartoum, El Adem. Diverted to Luqa because of engine failure, Flew over the Empire Windrush on fire in the Med, landed at Blackbushe. Interesting first flight for a 7 year old.

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I flew to Singapore in mid 1954 and back in 1957. Out was with Skyways from Stanstead and back might have been Airwork. I had a sit in the captain's seat as we approached the first stop in Brindisi. Others out and / or back were Bagdad, Bahrain, where the heat hit us as they opened the door. Delhi overnight stop, Karachi. We were sprayed for bugs a couple of times. I loved the Hermes until I saw a BOAC Connie that we flew alongside after Bagdad for a while. I dreamed of being in that. Not only was it better looking, the BOAC passengers got favoured treatment all along the route.

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Flew to Singapore in 1958 from Blackbush. We went via Brindisi, Ankara, Baghdad, we should have gone to Basara but there was a heavy sandstorm, then on to Karachi, Calcutta and New Dehli. Not sure where but we got off the plane in India and they immediately fumigated it. We had several rough landings plus we were told the lights had to be switched off so we could take off - that might be a slight exaggeration as it was a long time ago! We did not stop after that until we arrive at Paya Lebar to be met by my father. Great experience and did not put me off flying.

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Flew from Blackbushe in March 1955 bound for Singapore. Had three attempts to take off and managed it on the third go. Got over France and had to turn back to Blackbushe due to 'technical problems'. Finally got off again and landed in Rome. From there to Nicosia in Cyprus where we were delayed for about 6 hours. Next stop Bahrain then Karachi where we stayed overnight. Then New Delhi and Calcutta, where we stayed overnight. Final stop was Bangkok before landing in Changi - about 24 hours behind schedule. Interesting experience for my first ever flight!

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I flew with my family in mid May 1956 (before the 21st) from Singapore to UK in an Airwork Hermes. The flight routed Paya Lebar-Bangkok-Calcutta-Delhi-Karachi (night stop)-Bahrain-Beirut-Brindisi (night stop)-Marseille-Blackbushe. I would love to identify the exact dates and the identity of the Hermes. The stop at Marseille was probably unusual and may help to pin point the details.

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Hi, I am interested in Handley Page HP.81 Hermes 4A (registration: G-ALDF) crash off Sicily on August 25th 1952. My two older sisters, then aged five and three, were aboard with my mother who was six months pregnant. Seven people lost their lives and survivors were rescued by a fishing boat from Trapani. I would love to hear from other survivors or perhaps family members of anyone involved. My email is sarahehymas@hotmail.com. Thanks.

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I noticed a message from Geoff Milner earlier in this thread regarding the incident involving G-ALDO landing at Paya Lebar 29th Oct. '57 when his mother was No.1 stewardess on the plane. Landing approx. 4pm local time in appalling weather, the plane overshot the runway into a ditch and tipped up - as Geoff Wills said earlier in this thread, great photo in the Straights Times the following day! I too was on this plane with my two children aged 2 and 3 flying out to join my husband stationed in Singapore with the RAF. We were in the rear-facing seats immediately behind the cockpit and I remember the pilot's distinguished handlebar moustache as he came through the curtain saying "Sorry about that, get out as quickly as you can!" We then made our way out the front RH door, first dropping my two small children down into the arms of Malay policemen, then I made my way down a knotted rope stepping into deep mud - the rain at the time was torrential! I've seen the photos in Straights Times but Geoff Milner mentioned he may have some additional photos and would be most interested to see them, together with the official accident report if anyone has it as I have not so far been able to find this online? Thanks in advance, Patricia

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I was a technical officer in the project branch of BOAC and in April 1949 was the BOAC observer on the performance assessment carried out at Boscombe Down by order of HMG. We then took the aircraft to Castel Benito (now Tripoli) in Libya and then to Khartoum for high temperature trials. The pilot was the late Hedley Hazelden. The aircraft involved was the prototype Hermes I G-AKFP.

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I flew back from Singapore aged 6 weeks on a Hermes born 30th September 1955, I am interested in this particular plane, my dad was in the R.A.F. at the time and said I attended the Ambassadors ball and stop in various places, he said he had a map of whete we stopped but can't find it, I would be interested to know where I went or should I say stop at along the way, would be greatful of any help with this, thank you, Yvonne Mann at the time .

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I flew back from Singapore aged 6 weeks on a Hermes born 30th September 1955, I am interested in this particular plane, my dad was in the R.A.F. at the time and said I attended the Ambassadors ball and stop in various places, he said he had a map of whete we stopped but can't find it, I would be interested to know where I went or should I say stop at along the way, would be greatful of any help with this, thank you, Yvonne Mann at the time .

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I flew back from Singapore aged 6 weeks on a Hermes born 30th September 1955, I am interested in this particular plane, my dad was in the R.A.F. at the time and said I attended the Ambassadors ball and stop in various places, he said he had a map of whete we stopped but can't find it, I would be interested to know where I went or should I say stop at along the way, would be greatful of any help with this, thank you, Yvonne Mann at the time .

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For James Talbot. James I live in a house once owned by Gerrard Fane who I think was a friend of your Dads. I have some artefacts that I am certain belong to your father that were here when we moved in. Hoping you see this!

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For James Talbot. James I live in a house once owned by Gerrard Fane who I think was a friend of your Dads. I have some artefacts that I am certain belong to your father that were here when we moved in. Hoping you see this!

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I flew back from Singapore in 1956, we had overnight stays at Karachi then a day delay in Calcutta due to problems then a stay in Brindisi before landing at Blackbushe.
it was a bumpy flight due to the weather conditions.It was the first time most of us had flown.

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Message for James Talbot. I am Headmaster of Llandovery College where your late father was a pupil. We are constructing a timeline of eminent Old Llandoverians and I was hoping you might have a picture of him. Please contact me on warden@llandoverycollege.com
Diolch yn fawr.

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G-ALDT if I remember right

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September 1951
First airliner flight for me aged 11.
Off to school in England
Route Nairobi Entebbe Khartoum at night, Cairo ditto, Rome dawn, then Cool London.
What an introduction to a life in aviation!!!

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Correction: It was the end of 1954 .

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My mum , brother and I (age 6 ) flew to Dar es salaam at the end of 1956 , I remember being airsick for the entire flight , 2 days .Landed at Rome;Bengazi:Cairo;Khartoum;Entebe and Dar.Don't think we went to Nairobi.Almost put me off flying for life! But I think it must have been one of the last BOAC flights for the Hermes . I think the airoplane's name began with S .

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Flew on Hermes GALDO pilot B.Talbot.in 1954.stopped off at Brindisi,Nicosia,(had tyre failure and waited 24 hrs whilst replacement flown from U.K.)Bahrain,karachi,delhi,calcutta and then Bangkok prior to flight to Singapore with engine failure on the last lap.Quite an experience for a thirteen year old who had never flown before!Only took 5days!!!

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