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Casting off Bluebird at Bathurst
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Casting off Bluebird at Bathurst
Casting off Bluebird at Bathurst. Miss Delphine Reynolds and her pilot, W.G. Pudney, took off from Hanworth on 1 March 1931 in Blackburn Bluebird IV, G-ABGF, for a survey flight down the West African coast, via Tangier to Bathurst, Gambia, where Short floats were fitted. After two and a half months in Sierra Leone the metal airframe had corroded beyond repair. Date: 1931
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Media ID 9904833
© The Royal Aeronautical Society (National Aerospace Library) / Mary Evans Picture Library
1931 Abgf Bathurst Blackburn Bluebird Casting Delphine Hanworth Pilot Pudney Reynolds Survey Miss
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Casting Off Bluebird at Bathurst: A Historic Moment in Aviation History This photograph captures the moment of departure for Miss Delphine Reynolds and her pilot, W.G. Pudney, as they cast off from the waters of Bathurst, Gambia, on 1 March 1931. The duo had embarked on a daring survey flight from Hanworth, England, aboard the Blackburn Bluebird IV, registration number G-ABGF. Their mission was to traverse the West African coast, with the ultimate destination being Tangier, Morocco. The Blackburn Bluebird IV was a single-engine, two-seat biplane designed for long-range transport and survey flights. Its sleek design and powerful engine made it an ideal choice for this ambitious journey. However, the arduous conditions of the West African climate took a toll on the metal airframe, and after two and a half months in Sierra Leone, the corrosion proved to be beyond repair. As seen in this image, the Bluebird IV is being prepared for its next stage of the journey. The Short floats, which were to be fitted in Bathurst, are already in place, allowing the aircraft to take off and continue its voyage over the water. Miss Reynolds, a pioneering female aviator, and her experienced pilot, W.G. Pudney, are poised for their next leg of the journey, undeterred by the challenges they have faced thus far. This photograph is a testament to the spirit of adventure and determination that characterized early aviation history. The Blackburn Bluebird IV and its intrepid crew continue to inspire us with their daring exploits and their contributions to the expanding knowledge of the world.
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