Crossley

History

In 1935, a father-and-son team of Old Etonians, Maj Eric Crossley (23 May 1878 - 23 May 1949) and his youngest son Michael (W/Cdr. Michael Nicholson Crossley, 29 May 1912 - 7 December 1987), built a “Flying Flea”on their country estate near Banbury in Oxfordshire. Not only could they well afford to purchase their own aeroplanes, but they came from an illustrious family of Victorian engineers. They were pioneers in the production of internal combustion engines and first became involved in aircraft manufacture during World War One, running National Aircraft Factory 2 at Heaton Chapel, Stockport, producing Airco DH.9s and DH.10s. Eric Crossley was the son of Sir William Crossley, co-founder of Crossley Brothers (later Crossley Motors) whose products also included trucks, buses and cars, including the Crossley Tenders used by the Royal Flying Corps. In 1920, the company acquired a controlling interest in Avro, which was in turn sold to Armstrong Siddeley Motors during 1928.

Father and son began work on a Flea, to be powered by the reliable 16 h.p. Scott Flying Squirrel engine. As construction proceeded, it was registered in Eric’s name in March 1936 as G-AEFF. By then, following a brief career as an assistant director at Elstree Film Studios, Michael had joined the RAF on a short-service commission. Although Eric continued work on G-AEFF, no doubt assisted by Michael whenever he could obtain leave, three fatal Flea accidents had occurred during April and May 1936. Tests revealed the design to be seriously flawed; it is hardly surprising that many builders simply gave up, but the Crossley’s persevered, and there is photographic evidence that the aircraft was completed.

Michael almost immediately set to work on a project of his own: a single seat, high-wing, cabin monoplane of all-wood construction, presumably built in the workshops at Tadmarton House. Work on the design continued during the spring of 1937, with details of the lift strut attachment fittings being drawn as late as September 1938. The reason for this protracted process was, initially at least, Michael’s appointment for a time as aide-de-camp to the governor of Aden.

With the war over, and having left the RAF with the rank of Wing Commander and been awarded the military Order of the British Empire, Michael and his father decided to emigrate to South Africa. By this time the Tom Thumb’s airframe was largely complete but still without its engine, controls and instruments.

It was sold to Corrie Hanbury of Earlsdon in Coventry, who planned to finish it with the help of colleagues working in the experimental department at Armstrong Siddeley Motors. However, frustrated by officialdom, unable to obtain the materials he needed and having relocated to Bewdley in Worcestershire, Corrie stored the Tom Thumb in his loft. There it remained until shortly before he moved house once again in early 1969, when he eventually gave the aircraft to a local antiques dealer, one D. J. Barton. In 1969 the Tom Thumb was acquired by the Midland Aircraft Preservation Society (MAPS).

Company References

1. Aeroplane Monthly Oct 2018
2. https://www.key.aero/article/running-family

Project Data

Production Details and Type Description

* Telescopically varying span from 25 to 28 ft.
**Estimated

Total Crossley Production1