TOWER BRIDGE
Photograph Of Thames
Imagine you're stood on a bridge crossing the Thames back in July 1970; it's not just any bridge however, it's Tower Bridge and it's not any ordinary day 2 because that day you gaze up the river, watching the tug boats, coal barges, pleasure craft and light aircraft... "light aircraft", I hear you cry!... For on that day a naughty little Piper Cherokee G-ATOO was flown by two young school boys up the Thames and right under Tower Bridge! Di recting traffic that day was a Policeman, who was obviously "on the ball" and noted down the registration number, informing the Civil Aviation Authority about their law breaking, although there's more to the story than meets the eye. For it was an e-mail received from Ashley Wilks, the passenger on board G-ATOO that day in 1970, which was the basis for this web page. Below is the extract from that e-mail:
"Well I only flew in it once! But I have never quite forgotten it. July 15 1970. I had just left Kingston Grammar School and secondary education that day, after A levels, aged 18 years 1 month. My friend Chris Francis was even keener than myself on aviation and had a mad streak. He had used the school cadet force better than myself and via them had just gained his PPL. Not bad. So determined was he to pursue a military career and furthermore to actually fight that he arranged to join the Australian Army immediately after leaving school for the final time. In fact he was flying to Australia the very next day. Why the Australian Army? Because the Vietnam War was still raging at the time. This was a very long time ago now! The US would not have him as a Brit, and the UK had carefully avoided any embroilment in that conflict. The only anti Communist combatants besides the USA was the Australians. He wanted to leave with a flourish. School ended at lunchtime and he was leaving the next day. He had arranged to hire a plane from whatever flying club he belonged to at Fairoaks. It was G-ATOO of course. He announced his intention of flying through Tower Bridge casually. I did not take him seriously. I was along to take pictures. Chris had actually planned it carefully. Fly about 1800, when air turbulence and wind are minimised. Fly West to East so no sun in the eyes. Approach and depart from the North to slightly muddy the trail. It was a fine summer day and we left Fairoaks maybe 1715 and headed North. I distinctly remember we went non-radio the whole way! Imagine doing that today. You might be shot down! I do think it was possible to fly legally in the London Area and Zone non-radio although very unusual even then. It was long ago, eh? I suppose we went west of LHR, turned E somewhere near Beaconsfield and S near Watford with all London laid out before us. At this point Chris's navigation failed him and he did not know where exactly to aim for. I did. There were far fewer high buildings then and the Post Office Tower in the West End stood out. We passed well clear descending to about the same height as the top of the tower. An obvious left turn to fly downriver continuing the descent. Chris did look determined as he put us lower and lower, firewalling G-ATOO's throttle for best control. All that modest power! We went low over London Bridge and must have been almost level with the deck of Tower Bridge for a second or two as he pulled it up to climb through. I distinctly remember a red double decker bus on the bridge amid the other traffic. Also I remember how small the square hole in Tower Bridge looked and how awfully solid it all looked. In actual fact it is quite big but not when approaching at 110 knots or whatever it was. Of course nothing went wrong and he slotted it pretty much through the centre. Much scarier than seeing traffic below or two stone towers either side was scraping UNDER the walkways. So unnatural. I managed to click off a couple of photos with Chris's camera. I was terrified for a few seconds only being helpless in the hands of a low hours (50?) maniac but felt brilliant immediately afterwards, bungee jump style. It was not all over yet, the river was lined with cranes either side in those days with their derricks leaning out over the river. Missed 'em. We turned north again and climbed away towards Epping or somewhere I suppose. Completed the circuit of London clockwise and landed back at Fairoaks. Chris was confident no-one would catch up with him in those pre computer days until after he had left for Australia. I said goodbye to G-ATOO, shook hands with Chris and have never seen either again. The escapade made a small filler item in several papers, just a couple of sentences. Once again Chris's judgement was good, the chase was too slow for him.. A few days later I met a policeman who was actually standing on Tower Bridge at the time! He got the registration of course and I cannot remember how they found me. Perhaps I signed in as a visitor to the flying club. Six years later the enclosed very minor item in a newspaper, probably the Evening News or Standard. Clearly Chris had returned at some time and transferred to the British Army. Bet he got some drinks bought for him in the Mess. Worth £175? Probably. I did not learn to fly (PPL-IMC) until twenty years later, here in Scotland where I have lived since 1971. I have flown quite a few PA28s but prefer Robins and peculiarly, PA38s! I do not think I have ever broken Rules of the Air quite so spectacularly however. ".
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[Copyright] Allied Law 2004
