Western Airways
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline, Aircraft maintenance and manufacturing |
| Founded | September 26, 1932 in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England |
| Founder | Norman Wallace George Edgar |
| Defunct | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Weston-super-Mare , England, United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom, English Channel destinations (Le Touquet, Paris) |
Key people | Norman Wallace George Edgar (founder), Freddy Jeans (chief engineer) |
| Products | Passenger air services, Aircraft maintenance, Aircraft parts manufacturing |
Western Airways operated as an airline headquartered in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England from 1932 until 1978. Prior to the outbreak of World War II, it briefly held the distinction of being the world's busiest airline. The company endured the war years by leveraging its expertise in aircraft maintenance and engineering.
Beginnings and growth
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On 26 September 1932, Norman Wallace George Edgar, an aircraft dealer, initiated a twice-daily passenger air service linking Bristol (Whitchurch) Airport with Cardiff (Splott) Airport[1]. This journey took approximately 20 minutes aboard a De Havilland Fox Moth operated by his firm, Norman Edgar & Co. At that period, traveling by road between Bristol and Cardiff necessitated either using the Aust Ferry to cross the Severn or taking a lengthy detour through Gloucester.
As demand increased, Edgar established Norman Edgar (Western Airways) Ltd at Whitchurch, upgrading his fleet with a larger aircraft, the De Havilland Dragon. The airline expanded its network to include destinations across the English Channel, such as Le Touquet and Paris, as well as domestic routes to Cardiff and Bournemouth (Christchurch), marking the first airline service at that airport. Additional Dragons were incorporated into the fleet, prompting Edgar to seek a new operational base.[2]
In January 1933, Edgar approached the local council of Weston-super-Mare to request funding for a new airfield. Persuaded by his proposal, the council proceeded to purchase land, with construction commencing in February 1936. Concurrently, Edgar launched two enterprises: Western Air Transport, tasked with airline operations, and Airways Union, aimed at developing aerial connections. Airways Union functioned as a holding entity for these ventures. Western Airways was contracted to manage Weston-super-Mare Airport for a fee designed to offset landing charges imposed by the council recovering its investment. By May, the airport received licensing for De Havilland Dragon flights; however, Edgar was dismayed when Railway Air Services began operating two routes that same month—one connecting Cardiff and Whitchurch and another linking Cardiff via Haldon, Devon, to Plymouth (Roborough) Airport.
Capitalizing on favorable publicity, Edgar promptly introduced an 'air ferry' service between Weston and Cardiff, alongside routes from Weston to Whitchurch and from Weston to Birmingham (Castle Bromwich). By late July 1936, operations had shifted entirely to Weston with a fleet comprising four Dragons, two De Havilland Puss Moths, and a single Gipsy Moth, all available for charter and leisure flights. Edgar was relieved when Railway Air Services ceased all routes from Weston on 12 September, eliminating competition.[2]
In 1937, Western Airways inaugurated the Western Airways Aero Club, providing pilot training to numerous students. Additionally, Edgar secured a contract with the Army for nighttime flying exercises supporting anti-aircraft training. This required installing lighting systems at Weston Airport—including floodlights—and constructing a control tower. Many aircraft were equipped with radios, enabling operations to commence by late April.
Initially, aircraft maintenance had been outsourced to contractors operating from a hangar at Weston. Due to increased activity levels, it was decided in October 1937 to internalize this function. To oversee these efforts, Western Airways recruited Freddy Jeans, formerly chief engineer at British Airways Ltd. The company also established an Air Training School dedicated to educating engineers for their maintenance workforce.[2]
Despite expanding services and operations, profitability had yet to be achieved. On 10 July 1937 during the annual London (Heston) to Cardiff (Pengam Moors) air race—Pengam Moors having been renamed from Splott—Louis Strange, director of Straight Corporation, made an unscheduled stop at Weston. The bustling activity he observed may have influenced Straight Corporation's decision to enter the airline sector; accordingly, in January 1938 they acquired a controlling interest in Norman Edgar (Western Airways) Ltd and rebranded it as Western Airways Ltd. At that time, it operated more flights per day than any other airline globally—58 daily services.[3] Concurrently, Western Air Transport was renamed Straghtways Ltd.[2]
Norman Edgar departed from the company on 10 August 1938 amid controversy after accusing some pilots of flying under the influence of alcohol. A claim for unfair dismissal extended into 1940.Template:Efn-ua
With lighting installed for military contracts, Western Airways pursued night passenger flights primarily on its Cardiff air ferry route. The Air Ministry required additional safety measures including illumination of nearby power pylons and associated cables. Runways were extended at both Weston and Pengam Moors airports. Upon receiving official approval for these modifications, Britain’s inaugural commercial night service commenced on 2 October 1938. The launch was broadcast live by the BBC, with renowned aviators such as Arthur Whitten Brown and Jim Mollison present at Cardiff to greet the arriving Rapide aircraft.[2]
Service routes in 1938
- Weston – Cardiff (Pengam Moors Airport)
- Bristol – Cardiff – Swansea (Jersey Marine Airport)
- Swansea – Barnstaple – Newquay (Trebelzue airfield) – Penzance
- Swansea – Weston
- Weston – Bristol – Birmingham (Castle Bromwich) – Manchester (Barton airport, later relocating to Ringway)
- Weston – Le Touquet – Paris (Le Bourget)
Service routes in 1939[4]
- Weston – Cardiff – Swansea: Operated four times weekly until April 30.
- Weston – Cardiff: Frequency increased progressively—from five daily flights until March 4; six daily from March 5 through April 15; seven daily until April’s end; then twenty-eight daily throughout May; twenty-five daily during June; and twenty-six daily starting July.
- Bristol – Cardiff – Swansea: Five daily flights commenced May 1.
- Swansea – Barnstaple: Twice daily starting May 8.
- Swansea – Barnstaple – Newquay – Penzance: Once daily beginning May 8.
- Weston – Bristol – Birmingham (Elmdon) – Manchester (Ringway): Three daily flights launched June 17.
To accommodate this network expansion, Western Airways acquired a DH.86 Express along with two faster and higher-capacity Percival Q.6 aircraft.[2]
World War II
With the declaration of war against Germany on 3 September 1939, the National Air Communications (NAC) system was activated. All civil airfields and commercial aircraft across Britain were requisitioned, with the majority relocated to RAF stations. Western's DH.86 Express, previously grounded due to spare parts shortages, underwent an overhaul and was soon adapted for use as an air ambulance. The NAC consented to the resumption of the Weston – Cardiff shuttle service, which operated on an hourly timetable from 25 November until 30 March 1940. This marked the conclusion of Western Airways' airline services before the war, although the company itself remained active.
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The company’s maintenance operations expanded swiftly, undertaking repair, upkeep, and modification tasks on a diverse array of aircraft including Miles Magisters, Curtiss Tomahawks, Avro Ansons, and Fairey Battles. This work was primarily conducted under contracts from the Civilian Repair Organisation and persisted throughout the war. During this period, the airfield experienced significant enlargement with the installation of hard runways, while the Bristol Aeroplane Company established a substantial presence at Weston Airport.
Post-war diversification
Following its wartime subcontracting for Bristol, Western Airways transitioned into manufacturing components for their aircraft post-war, notably for the Type 170 Freighter. Building on an existing contract with the Royal Canadian Air Force for Canadair Sabre parts, additional work was secured producing components for the Britannia airliner. The company also refurbished various military vehicles—many destined for export—and serviced Slingsby gliders. This involvement led to Western Airways becoming dealers for Slingsby Sailplanes and Percival Aircraft, sustaining this business into the early 1950s.
A further area of post-war activity involved converting military aircraft to civilian configurations. Initially focusing on aircraft from the Straight Corporation fleet that had been commandeered during wartime service, these were restored to their original registrations and sold. Subsequently, a broad spectrum of types underwent conversion including Avro Tutor, Supermarine Walrus, Percival Petrel (military Q6), Taylorcraft, and Miles models. Eight Ansons were modified specifically for Straight Aviation Training purposes; two remained as civilian variants equipped with seven passenger seats for communication and charter flights. Additional Ansons were adapted primarily for military clients.
Western Airways resumed airline operations in July 1946 after receiving authorization from the Ministry of Civil Aviation to reinstate services on the Weston – Cardiff air ferry route. Initially operating independently, by the following year the ministry mandated joint operation with Cambrian Airways. Western employed its Avro Ansons while Cambrian introduced Rapides acquired expressly for this route. The service ceased at the conclusion of the 1949 holiday season when Western withdrew; Cambrian continued briefly before terminating operations on 29 October.
Subsequently, Western Airways refocused on manufacturing aircraft parts. Beginning with orders for components for the Westland Wyvern and De Havilland Vampire, they progressed to producing parts for the Bristol 170 Freighter. This culminated in establishing a production line within one of their hangars, yielding 31 Freighters between 28 September 1953 and 23 March 1958. Given that many Freighters were heavily utilized as car ferries across the English Channel—subjecting airframes to significant stress—Western Airways secured ongoing contracts to replace wing main spar components well beyond production’s end. Additional projects included completing Britannia airliners; two could be accommodated simultaneously within Western’s hangar, resulting in further repair and parts supply contracts.
During the 1960s, Western Airways expanded its portfolio by contributing to work on both Concorde and the Rolls-Royce RB211 engine. However, diversification had already begun earlier; in 1958 a hangar was leased to a firm later known as Barber Weston Ltd. Arthur A Barber, this company’s director, joined Western Airways’ board along with its parent company Airways Union. Barber produced various products such as conveyor systems, wheelchairs, vending machines, and prefabricated steel-frame buildings—many supplied to the Little Chef restaurant chain.[2] After Western Airways ceased operations, this entity—renamed RJ Mobility—continued manufacturing wheelchairs for the National Health Service.
Another offshoot named Straghtaways Ltd was formed, drawing its title from Straight Corporation’s pre-war house magazine.[5] Located at Weston Airport, it produced prams and push-chairs under contract for Mothercare, alongside chicken cages and electrically heated clothes dryers.
In the early 1970s, Western Airways held a contract welding fuselages for autogyros manufactured by Campbell Aircraft and was engaged to construct a prototype of a new model—the Campbell Cougar. Completed in 1973 with successful flight tests, funding shortages ultimately halted development; consequently, the Cougar prototype was transferred to The Helicopter Museum, situated on Weston Airport’s former control tower site.
Western Airways continued managing Weston Airport while providing servicing and maintenance for numerous private aircraft. Pleasure flights remained popular; notably during part of the 1976 season renowned ATA pilot Jackie Moggridge flew as a pilot. Despite this activity, operational levels declined throughout the decade. The runway required expensive resurfacing works which led Airways Union to surrender the airport’s license at year-end 1978; remaining employees were subsequently laid off.[2]
Fleet roster (pre-war airline operations only)
Following acquisition by the Straight Corporation, aircraft were frequently reassigned among their various airlines, airport management firms, and flying clubs according to operational demands. Consequently, the airplanes detailed here likely did not remain exclusively with Western throughout their service life before being retired, and some aircraft owned by the Straight Corporation but not included in this list may have also flown under Western Airways.
- De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth
- G-ABYO Norman Edgar operated from September 1932 until 16 June 1934 (accident)
- De Havilland DH.84 Dragon
- G-ACAO entered service on 8 July 1938, impressed on 2 April 1940 as N9398
- G-ACJT active between 26 August 1933 and 20 December 1939 (accident)
- G-ACLE began operation on 18 May 1939, impressed 2 April 1940 as X9397
- G-ACMJ served from 1 July 1938, impressed 2 April 1940 as X9396
- G-ACPX started on 23 July 1938, impressed 2 April 1940 as X9399
- G-AECZ used from 1 February 1937, impressed on 8 May 1940 as AV982
- De Havilland DH.86B Express
- G-AETM operated between 18 April 1939 and 31 January 1940
- De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
- G-ACTU active from 14 July 1937, impressed on 8 June 1940 as AW115
- G-ADBV served since 31 May 1937, impressed on 2 March 1940 as N8511
- G-ADDD started service on 8 July 1937, impressed on 4 June 1940 as AW116
- G-AFSO (DH.89A variant) from 21 May 1939, impressed on 23 January 1940 as W6457
- De Havilland DH.90 Dragonfly
- G-ADNA entered service on 27 January 1939, impressed on 17 April 1940 as X9452
- G-AEDH active since 25 September 1937, impressed on 10 May 1940 as AV987
- General Aircraft ST-6 Monospar
- G-ACGI operated from 6 November 1936, impressed on 6 May 1940 as AV979
- Percival Q.6
- G-AFIX began service in April 1939, impressed on 2 April 1940 as X9406
- G-AFVC active starting from 30 June 1939, impressed on 10 May 1940 as AX860
- Short S.16 Scion
- G-ADDV in use since 22 May 1936, impressed on11 April1940 as X9456
- G-ADDX started operation on15 May1936, impressed on3 April1940 as X9430
- Spartan Cruiser II
- G-ACBM operated briefly from28 July1937 until August1937 (dismantled)
Aircraft manufacturing
- Bristol Type170 Freighter[2]
- Mk31 (1953–1958)
- F-VNAR Air Vietnam
- G-APLH Dan-Air
- ZK-BVM Safe Air
- Aggregate =3
- Mk31M (1954–1957)
- S4408 Royal Pakistan Air Force (RPAF)
- S4410 RPAF
- S4413 RPAF
- S4415 RPAF
- S4417 RPAF
- S4419 RPAF
- S4421 RPAF
- S4422 RPAF
- S4424 RPAF
- S4426 RPAF
- S4427 RPAF
- S4429 RPAF
- S4430 RPAF
- S4432 RPAF
- S4433 RPAF
- S4435 RPAF
- S4437 RPAF
- S4438 RPAF
- 9850 Royal Canadian Air Force
- Aggregate =19
- Mk32 Superfreighter (1956–1957)
- G-ANWJ Silver City
- G-APAU Air Charter
- G-AOUU Air Charter
- G-AOUV Air Charter
- G-ANWK Silver City
- G-ANWL Silver City
- G-ANWM Silver City
- G-ANWN Silver City
- G-APAV Air Charter
- Aggregate =9
- Total Freighter units produced =31
- Campbell Cougar
-
- G-BAPS first flight occurred on20 April1973
Accidents and incidents
- On 16 June 1934, a De Havilland Fox Moth bearing the registration G-ABYO and operated by Norman Edgar & Co was conducting a business charter from Llanvair, near Caerwent in Wales, to Glasgow. The aircraft crashed close to Llanfair and subsequently caught fire. Pilot Douglas Brecknell was ejected from the wreckage and managed to free two passengers trapped inside. One passenger, Godfrey Jones, survived but sustained injuries, while the other, 41-year-old Arthur Turner, later succumbed to his wounds.
- On 20 December 1939, a De Havilland Dragon with registration G-ACJT, owned by Southern Airways (a division of the Straight Corporation), crashed during takeoff at Weston Airport on a flight bound for Cardiff. It is believed that the pilot, Leslie Ivor Arnott, aged 35 and the only person on board, lost consciousness. He later died in hospital due to his injuries.
Footnotes
References
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