First Photo…

[Bumblebee Girl]

This is the first photo I can find of my Nipper taken at Booker on 25 May 1969. I believe the original colours were red and white.

[JimCrawford]

That's great to get such an early shot of your aircraft, how did you find it? I'll try and search for one of mine GAVTC.

Jim

[Bumblebee Girl]

Hi Jim

Someone posted the photo on Facebook, under Vintage & Classic aircraft. So I’ve asked the group to see if they can find an early photo of your Nipper and I’ll let you know what they come up with. I think that it’s sometimes photographers who have lots of archive photos; I’d never have found the one of JE otherwise….

I’ll be in touch…

Kate

[JimCrawford]

Thank you, that's very kind.

You've started me on what will almost certainly be a wild goose chase. When I was a student I used to visit my parents in Kent and, on returning to Southampton at the beginning of term, I would stop off at Biggin Hill for tea and cake and to spend a while watching the aircraft. This was in the days when you could sit on the edge of the pan no problem (and not wear a yellow jacket!). I distinctly remember this little aircraft park up and the bold aviator wander off in the direction of the greasy spoon. The aircraft was a Tipsy Nipper. At that time ~ 1972/3 GAVTC was owned by Altair who I believe leased it to Surrey (?) flying club at Biggin. So it is likely that was my first encounter with GAVTC, many years before I bought it.
I'd like to think so.

Jim

[Bumblebee Girl]

You fell in love at an early age, Jim. Here are some already: all different colour schemes! Black and white one is date and location unknown…I’ll send through more as they arrive…