Although I have lost count of the aircraft that have passed through our hands, some have been retained for a period for use as demonstrators or just for fun.  This page depicts some of the aircraft that I enjoyed owning.

The first aircraft that I owned was the Lancaster G-ASXX which was acquired because, at the time it was something that I considered needed to be done. The only Lancaster in the UK at the time which was capable of flight was PA 474 which had been extensively modified by the College of Aeronautics at Cranfield.  Maybe I was motivated by the suggestions that the size of the aircraft and the distance involved would ensure that the project would fail.  After it had arrived at Biggin Hill and participated in displays at Blackbushe, Filton and Scampton I decided I had proved my point and could move on.

Lancaster G-ASXX takes off for an evening air test.

Most of the aircraft that I have obtained have been " slightly off beat " and this certainly applied to the Aeronca 100 G-AEVS which I purchased in damaged condition and hoped to get rebuilt in order to form an HAPS flying group.  After some work was carried out at Shoreham the aircraft was moved to Middle Wallop and then disappeared !  It eventually resurfaced to be restored at Breighton but the CAA are aware that the registered owner does not reflect clear title, a situation which does not worry me as I doubt it I could fit into it now !

     Aeronca 100 G-AEVS shortly before it struck a goal post on landing.

The Auster Mk. 9 appealed to me when I saw my first one visiting Biggin Hill.  To my mind its chunky style was the epitome of a working aeroplane.  When I saw the Mk. 11( the same airframe but with another 80 horsepower ) at Farnborough I told myself that I must have one of those !  As a result I purchased two Mk. 9's that had been lying around unconverted, following sale by the MoD.  After BEAGLE folded  I managed to purchase the Mk. 11 with Arthur Heath and this was the start of what eventually became   F. and H. ( Aircraft ) . The 11 was rebuilt in Field's hangar at Heathrow. 

The release of surplus Chipmunks in 1973 resulted in the formation of F. and H. ( Aircraft ) and eventually the purchase of over 60 ex MoD examples.  Two early examples became G-BCAH, for Arthur and G-BCBF for myself, although both were quickly sold.

During this period F. and H. ( Aircraft ) also purchased four Varsitys, four Britannias and two Mk. 9's , without engines that were sold from RAF St. Athan. They also purchased the MoD Auster 9 airframe and engine spares plus those held by Hants and Sussex Aviation.  Finally  F. and H.  (Aircraft )  purchased WZ 672 which was declared surplus from RAE Bedford.  The MK. 11 G-ASCC and Mk. 9's WZ 672 G-BDER and XR 240 G-BDFH were all eventually operated from Sibson.  G-BDER was the first aircraft to be issued with a Military and Vintage Permit to Fly and our experiences with G-BDER resulted in the subsequent rules being relaxed.  For example initially the aircraft was limited to 25 flying hours a year, had to be flown by a nominated pilot, and required needed a Certificate of Safety for Flight to be issued every 5 hours.  After we wanted to go to the West Country for a fly-in and told the CAA that if the CoS had been issued in the morning Arthur would need to drive to Oxford to issue a further certificate in the afternoon, in order to get home, the rules were changed !

One of the jobs done by F. and H. ( Aircraft )   was to dismantle the Nord 3202's that John Hawke had purchased in France and pack them for export to the United States.  We obtained 65 and 80 which were the best two and 65 was rebuilt by David Fenton at Breighton as G-BEFH.  It was operated for a time from Sibson before being sold and both are now back in France, G-BEFH as F-AZGF currently owned by Jean Delvaux and G-BMBF as F-AZMA owned by Herve Arthuis.

G-BEFH was the first 3202 to be certified by the CAA.  It was taken to La Ferte Alais shortly after the rebuild was completed and the French were surprised that it had been granted a Permit to Fly that was valid for 12 months.

When I was visiting Kansas I saw a PA22-160 Super Pacer in Bob Dodson's hangar.  I had previously flown air-to-air with Tony Bianchi from a Tri-Pacer and had realised that with the rear door removed it was an excellent camera platform ( the Auster 9 and Beagle Mk. 11 being far too slow ), so agreed to buy it.  It came home in a container and was taken to Richard Yates at Sibsey for a complete rebuild.  Whilst it was being rebuilt I obtained my PPL on a 152 at Connington but when the aircraft was finished it moved to Leicester, where hangarage was available.  I now have almost 150 hours P1 on G-BTLM which is currently up for sale because Andra prefers the Maltese Falcon.

Aircraft which I have failed to obtain, but appeal to me, include the Bird Innovator ( sadly now returned to standard Catalina configuration ), a late Beech 18, Scottish Aviation Single Pioneer, Fairey Gannet T.5 and Grumman Tracker in its COA form.  Big round engines appeal to me as does the wing fold on the Gannet and Tracker.