Selfridges... (and their Aviation Department!)

I didn`t realise until quite recently how influential a character Harry Gordon Selfridge was. Amongst his many achievements he was credited with being the first person in the UK to charter and aircraft for a business flight (Hendon to Dublin in an Airco DH9)... He sponsored prizes for aviation innovation and was ever present amongst the pre WWII movers and shakers in the aviation scene.

Selfridges was (I believe) unique amongst department stores in having a dedicated aviation department staffed by ex RAF personnel. In this department you could buy any? aircraft of your choice, flying lessons and everything you needed to look good and enjoy the after flight fun. All available on the never never if you were a bit short of readies!!

I would really like to hear from anyone that has any photos or other memorabilia relating to Selfridges Aviation Department. I would also very much like to know at which airfield they conducted their flying training or based their flying school. (Hendon?)

Also (but not airfield related) they had in an in-store Flight Simulator and a functional Avro Built Whitlet Hoverplane (which I`d never heard of before) operational on the roof outside! - All great stuff.

Cheers
Dave

Interesting topic, Dave - unless I am mistaken, the remains of the Sopwith Atlantic ditched by Harry Hawker and Lt Cdr McKenzie Grieve a significant way across the Atlantic in 1919 were publicly displayed on Selfridge's roof not long afterwards (& incidently were then never seen again) and I suspect the Hon Mrs Victor Bruce got into record-breaking aviation etc after seeing and buying a Blackburn Bluebird from Selfridges in the early 1930s. I feelsure there are plenty of other 'claims to fame' to note here.

Scapa wrote:

Interesting topic, Dave - unless I am mistaken, the remains of the Sopwith Atlantic ditched by Harry Hawker and Lt Cdr McKenzie Grieve a significant way across the Atlantic in 1919 were publicly displayed on Selfridge's roof not long afterwards (& incidently were then never seen again) and I suspect the Hon Mrs Victor Bruce got into record-breaking aviation etc after seeing and buying a Blackburn Bluebird from Selfridges in the early 1930s. I feelsure there are plenty of other 'claims to fame' to note here.

Yes Scapa... Here's the Sopwith you mention and a nice one of a Monospar with the Store in the background..