Fabric and Postcard from the
Parrsboro Nova Scotia
Handley Page V/1500
Handley Page V/1500 Bomber Fabric and Postcard. The four engined, fourteen ton Handley Page bomber did not see service in W.W.1 and approximately 6 were built.The postcard is dated Oct 13th 1919 and the writer indicates that "This is the picture of the airplane when she fell".
This particular aircraft was shipped to Newfoundland in 1919 to attempt the first trans-Atlantic crossing by air. In command was Vice-Admiral Mark Kerr, Major Brackley as Pilot, Major Gwan as Navigator and Wyatt as Chief Mechanic. Unfortunately for the crew, they had no opportunity to attempt the crossing due to the prize being won on June 15 1919 by Alcock and Brown in a Vickers Vimy. Due to the change in circumstances the crew departed for New York but engine troubles forced them down in Parrsboro Nova Scotia on July 4th 1919. During the rough landing the aircraft was so badly damaged that it required nearly four months to get it air worthy. A new fuselage was shipped over from England and the flight continued on to New York on October 9th 1919.
The fabric example is approximately 53mm X 43mm with dark olive green doping on the obverse. Written clearly on the reverse of the fabric is "One of larger Handley page Wing 1919 Fell at Parrsboro NS".