As a retired lecturer in travel and tourism, I was intrigued to read Mr Healey’s letter about 40p flights from Southend Airport, and it enabled me to search out one of my sources that used to fascinate the students.

It is the first edition of Bradshaw’s International Air Guide, which sold for one old shilling and was published in November, 1934.

In this edition, there is confirmation of Southend Flying Services flying from Rochford Aerodrome the 18 miles to Rochester in Kent.

There were four flights out and back on a daily basis, and the journey was 15 minutes.

The timings were exactly the same both ways, 10am, 11am, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.

Sadly, there is no indication of the aircraft used.

The main London airport was Croydon, where many European flights were operational, but it was also possible to fly by Hillman Airways to Paris from Stapleford Airport, and a few flights went in and out of a fledgling aerodrome at Heston, now the mighty Heathrow.

Robert Errington
Chelsea Avenue
Southend

...Southend Flying Services originally operated a de Havilland Fox Moth on the Southend-Rochester route, and the service actually started shortly before the official opening of Southend Airport on September 18, 1935.

The service proved so popular, Southend Flying Services invested in a twin engined Short Scion, which used to seat five passengers and a pilot.

In the first few weeks of the service operating, more than 1,000 passengers were carried.

Only one Short Scion survives in the UK today, an ex- Southend machine, which is undergoing restoration to static display conditions by workers at Redhill Airfield, in Surrey.

Nick Skinner
Gainsborough Drive
Westcliff