The Kent History Forum

Aviation History => Aircraft Factories and manufacturers => Topic started by: Mike Gunnill on June 03, 2020, 09:44:29 AM

Title: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on June 03, 2020, 09:44:29 AM
I found this during a clear-out yesterday. I have a feature somewhere. The tale of Reginald Fairfax Wells who designed early sea-planes. He was successful with his company Wells Aviation and had a huge factory in Chelsea in 1914. Prior to that he was based near Rainham, Kent. Still today there is a concrete slipway, he used. Now very overgrown.


If anyone is interested I will post pix and the feature I did.






Mike
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Dave Smith on June 03, 2020, 12:08:28 PM
Yes please Mike. Anything to do with aviation is of interest to me, particularly that bit about a concrete runway at Rainham . Thanking you in anticipation.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Smiffy on June 03, 2020, 01:25:50 PM
Never heard of Wells Aviation, should be interesting.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on June 03, 2020, 02:56:25 PM
Yes please Mike. Anything to do with aviation is of interest to me, particularly that bit about a concrete runway at Rainham . Thanking you in anticipation.


The concrete was more a slip way, to get his aircraft in the water.


Mike
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on June 03, 2020, 04:48:46 PM
Where in Rainham was the Wells Aviation Co factory and slipway? I'm curious as never heard of that before.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Smiffy on June 04, 2020, 12:25:52 AM
Mike, is this it?



Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on June 04, 2020, 11:06:50 AM
Mike, is this it?




It looks the right place, yes!  The buildings no longer stand but that is the right location.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Dave Smith on June 04, 2020, 05:43:56 PM
Mike, Great attachment, thanks. I'd never heard of Wells Aircraft either but I see they made- or advertised they did- the Benoist Flying Boats in 1914. Not French but USA. It made me chuckle, "the first commercial passenger flying boat service" ( pilot & one passenger sitting alongside!) from Tampa to St. Petersburge, Florida. The " flying boat"- actually seaplane- that Wells did make wasn't a success as it hardly left the water on its maiden flight. ( Engine too heavy- always a problem in the early days). Better stick to pottery, which was very much a success. On the slipway at Woodger's Wharf is a very streamlined speed boat, not a flying boat.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Smiffy on June 04, 2020, 08:53:14 PM
Fascinating stuff, someone who is known as a potter going on to manufacture aircraft is not exactly a common occurrence. I particularly liked  "the Russian from Morocco", the "German called Fritz" ( aren't they all?) and the fact that he built houses in Kent but no one knows where they are!
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on June 04, 2020, 10:36:47 PM
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on June 05, 2020, 08:47:31 AM
Fascinating stuff, someone who is known as a potter going on to manufacture aircraft is not exactly a common occurrence. I particularly liked  "the Russian from Morocco", the "German called Fritz" ( aren't they all?) and the fact that he built houses in Kent but no one knows where they are!


Smiffy: I would love to find a house in Kent built by Wells. I have tried.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Longpockets on June 05, 2020, 09:22:20 AM
Smiffy - ".......the fact that he built houses in Kent but no one knows where they are!"

Mike Gamill - " I would love to find a house in Kent built by Wells. I have tried."

I assume you have seen this - https://www.glproperty.co.uk/whats-a-wells-cottage (https://www.glproperty.co.uk/whats-a-wells-cottage)


They are probably around us but we do not realise they are there.



Archival material relating to Wells is located at Storrington Museum, The Old School, School Lane, Storrington, West Sussex, RH20 4LL. [See http://www.storringtonmuseum.org/artifacts.html (http://www.storringtonmuseum.org/artifacts.html) accessed 26 January 2010]

Source - https://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=msib2_1203552906 (https://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=msib2_1203552906)


A Sussex cottage example is here https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2789260/welcome-fakesville-1-5million-cottage-s-not-village-racy-royal-past.html (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2789260/welcome-fakesville-1-5million-cottage-s-not-village-racy-royal-past.html)
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on June 05, 2020, 11:34:46 AM
Smiffy - ".......the fact that he built houses in Kent but no one knows where they are!"

Mike Gamill - " I would love to find a house in Kent built by Wells. I have tried."

I assume you have seen this - https://www.glproperty.co.uk/whats-a-wells-cottage (https://www.glproperty.co.uk/whats-a-wells-cottage)


They are probably around us but we do not realise they are there.







Archival material relating to Wells is located at Storrington Museum, The Old School, School Lane, Storrington, West Sussex, RH20 4LL. [See http://www.storringtonmuseum.org/artifacts.html (http://www.storringtonmuseum.org/artifacts.html) accessed 26 January 2010]

Source - https://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=msib2_1203552906 (https://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=msib2_1203552906)


A Sussex cottage example is here https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2789260/welcome-fakesville-1-5million-cottage-s-not-village-racy-royal-past.html (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2789260/welcome-fakesville-1-5million-cottage-s-not-village-racy-royal-past.html)






Loongpocketts:

Thanks but I have seen all that. Most of it is just repeating comment from earlier. I have a estate agent relation who is now helping. They are thought to be in the Tunbridge Wells/Tonbridge area.


MIKE GUNNILL  ;)
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on June 05, 2020, 03:03:02 PM
On the slipway at Woodger's Wharf is a very streamlined speed boat, not a flying boat.


Good point. Can anyone confirm a date or location for that image? Possible clue to guess a date for those cars?
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on June 05, 2020, 03:25:34 PM
On the slipway at Woodger's Wharf is a very streamlined speed boat, not a flying boat.


Good point. Can anyone confirm a date or location for that image? Possible clue to guess a date for those cars?




If you mean the picture on the main page of the pdf download? That image wasn't taken at Woodger's Wharf in Kent.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Smiffy on June 05, 2020, 03:28:22 PM
One of the cars looks like a Morris 8. They didn't enter production until 1935.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on June 05, 2020, 03:49:34 PM
One of the cars looks like a Morris 8. They didn't enter production until 1935.


The photograph of the high powered speed boat was taken just before the start of WW2, I think in Hampshire.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on June 05, 2020, 10:06:43 PM
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on June 06, 2020, 07:35:20 AM
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on June 06, 2020, 06:10:12 PM
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on June 06, 2020, 07:08:13 PM
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Smiffy on June 06, 2020, 07:19:43 PM
It seems incredible now that with barely any experience in aircraft production he managed to land a contract with the War Office.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on June 06, 2020, 08:10:08 PM
The missing link I have is the Wells REO. How many of these were built? Were these designed by him, or a licenced copy of something else? Little online.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Dave Smith on June 07, 2020, 06:02:30 PM
Smiffy. That's what I thought- potter to aircraft manufacturer seems far fetched. Could be the old " not what you know but who you know"!
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on June 08, 2020, 12:22:09 AM
It's bizarre when looking at wartime production, what kinds of weapons that civilian factories turned out. I have found examples of biscuit factories, garages and typewriter makers turn to aircraft production. Potter to plane maker is at the extreme end.


We're missing a key part of the story here. I can't understand how a potter can design a flyable aircraft at a time when planes were new. He must have had a yet unmentioned aviation interest or some pals who did this for him.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on June 08, 2020, 10:45:55 PM
It seems that R F Wells had an interest in building and flying model aircraft before WW1.


I have two questions for Mike Gunnill based out of this gem. Do you know if Wells went to the USA before the war, as he seems to have developed several business interests over there.


Secondly, were the three relations of Baker witnesses to the flight itself, or just recall him telling them about it? I'm forming the opinion that the event happened elsewhere.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on June 09, 2020, 11:11:10 PM
Copy provided of Flight magazine dated March 1917.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on June 10, 2020, 08:31:50 AM
Finally got to view the text from The Aeroplane dated July 7 1915. The first paragraph shows Wells as pilot of the Reo in a test run at Hendon.....

"Mr. Wells was also out during the morning on the "Reo," and had the misfortune to taxi into a Service machine which happened to be on the ground. The "Reo" being of substantial build, the Service machine came off second best, but no one was hurt."

Later in the same edition is an advert for his firm.

"Aeroplane manufacturers may be interested to know that Messrs. R. F. Wells and Co., the constructors of the original and well-built Reo biplane, are prepared to receive orders for aeroplane parts and to construct complete units such as planes, fuselages, rudders, empenages, elevators, etc.
The firm is competent to do welding, brazing, wire splicing, etc., and aeroplane builders should find it well worth their while to address enquiries to 10a, Elystan Street, Chelsea, S.W."
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on June 10, 2020, 11:10:28 PM
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on June 11, 2020, 12:30:36 PM
Thanks Mike,


To save further distraction in looking for information that you already know. Do you know why and when R.F.Wells went to the USA? That may be an important part of the Benoist seaplane link.


It would also be helpful to expand on Seymour Wakeley and this additional interest in seaplanes he had?
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on June 11, 2020, 04:26:03 PM
I've been provided with an example of another period aviation designer who started with model aircraft making. Second link shows what these models of the time could do! Five foot wingspan and flights up to 560 yards powered only by rubber bands!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mann_%26_Grimmer_M.1 (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mann_%26_Grimmer_M.1)

http://en.wikibedia.ru/wiki/Cyril_Ridley#Early_life_and_aircraft_building (http://en.wikibedia.ru/wiki/Cyril_Ridley#Early_life_and_aircraft_building)
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on June 17, 2020, 11:29:55 AM
How did you come by the photo of the biplane in the hangar Mike? And what were you told about it? Where was it taken? It's likely dated post mid-1918. Was Wells still involved in manufacturing aircraft himself then?
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on June 28, 2020, 02:31:10 PM
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Dave Smith on June 28, 2020, 07:38:48 PM
Cosmo, Amazing that you've found out all this, many thanks. Who'd have thought that a potter who had a great interest in aeroplanes, would end up with a factory to manufacture them! Apart from the advert saying they were agents & builders of the Benoist flying boat, there doesn't appear anywhere about them actually doing so for certain. Unless you know otherwise?
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on June 29, 2020, 01:06:11 PM
I'd still like to know the story behind the aircraft photo in Mike's article. I'm also interested in aviation and a better resolution image would help so much identifying the people and location.


Where was it taken? It appears to be an important image yet come to a halt with it!
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Nemo on July 01, 2020, 08:33:00 AM
I wonder if that's his two sons sitting in/standing behind the plane in the factory.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on July 01, 2020, 05:19:45 PM
Cosmo, Amazing that you've found out all this, many thanks. Who'd have thought that a potter who had a great interest in aeroplanes, would end up with a factory to manufacture them! Apart from the advert saying they were agents & builders of the Benoist flying boat, there doesn't appear anywhere about them actually doing so for certain. Unless you know otherwise?


There seems to have been an eclectic bunch at Wells Aviation. Besides Wells at the head, there was another notable artist/sculpter as his right hand man. The aircraft designer was a building architect!


They seem to have eventually built one Benoist seaplane, which never got to fly. At the time of going broke they had ordered but not yet built a replacement.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on July 01, 2020, 11:41:45 PM
I missed out the best character in the Wells Aviation Co. The Italian Submariner reservist who taught British aviators. Started instructing at Hendon before joining Wells at Cobnor Aerodrome.



Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on July 02, 2020, 08:29:19 AM
Smiffy. That's what I thought- potter to aircraft manufacturer seems far fetched. Could be the old " not what you know but who you know"!




Dave:


I think from "knowing" this man for a while writing and researching about him it was more about his personal positive manner. If he thought of an area, he could see no reason for it not to succeed for him. He clearly thought aircraft was an area he should be involved in, especially in the pre-war days of the WW1. So he became involved. To him it was that simple. To start up, his aircraft factory he took out a huge government loan. Which in the end didn't prove to be very successful.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on July 02, 2020, 08:30:47 AM
I wonder if that's his two sons sitting in/standing behind the plane in the factory.


Nemo:


I hadn't noticed that before. Checking with family photographs I have, it looks highly likely. Well done!
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on July 05, 2020, 12:24:01 PM
Thought I'd share this image I found. Type of lorry used to transport aircraft. Apparently now between 1913 to 1931.  :o
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: DaveTheTrain on July 05, 2020, 08:59:49 PM
An interesting find Cosmo, it piqued my interest to look at Graces Guide, where I note that Palladium  made aircraft in WWi.  The price list for a Palladium can be seen here:




https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/images/c/c9/Im1917Red-p162.jpg (https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/images/c/c9/Im1917Red-p162.jpg)
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on July 05, 2020, 10:29:29 PM
You just made me look. Built 100 of D.H.4 aircraft. A creditable number, bearing in mind they were turning out other war products at the same time.
Found image here if them transporting an aircraft, which is something we touched upon earlier.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on July 06, 2020, 02:14:01 PM

The picture was taken in 1931.



How did you come by 1931 Mike? I think this may be a typo. The original aircraft photo is clearly sometime around 1918/1919
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on July 06, 2020, 08:46:52 PM
I still don't follow?


You said " On the back of the image was " Reginald standing on the aircraft wing in 1915 for a picture of the Wells Aviation Company Limited."

So why now 1913? It's clearly later than that.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on July 06, 2020, 10:50:03 PM
I've posted the pic again here for clarity. It's clearly an advanced military machine and not an early flying boat/seaplane. It's got a wheeled undercarriage! The boy in the rear observers position has his elbow on a circular machine gun rail!


As well as the military paint job, please notice the military RFC roundel on the fuselage! These were applied from the very beginning of 1915, This modified roundel on this aircraft with the thin white outline came into use in 1917. This photo can not therefore be from before that date!


The aircraft itself is an Airco D.H.9a. The prototype flew in march 1918 and production got into swing shortly after that. This photo can not therefore be from before mid 1918. Link here [size=78%]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airco_DH.9A (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airco_DH.9A)[/size]


There is a white letter "H" on the rear empennage. This shows it is in the end block of D.H.9a production which continued over into 1919. The photo must therefore be no earlier than mid 1918, but could be 1919.


Wells Aviation ceased in being in 1917. They did not get to build any D.H.9a aircraft, so it's clearly not one of their builds. Please note it is in a military style aviation hanger, not a pottery or converted house in Chelsea.


Below is both your image and another D.H.9a for comparison.


There's something else in this photo that makes it evidently not the seaplane from Well's story. Any guesses anyone?
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: DaveTheTrain on July 06, 2020, 11:07:46 PM
I am going to go out on a limb here Cosmo. Is that Gustave Whitehead at the far right of the image, and (roundel notwithstanding) is that pic taken in the US?
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on July 06, 2020, 11:19:09 PM
They did build a few D.H.9A in the USA but that hangar looks very much UK. I think the Browning machine gun would be on the right of the engine in a US build, but may not have been fitted at this stage?


I'm very much open to suggestions as to the important looking folk in the pic.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: DaveTheTrain on July 06, 2020, 11:23:57 PM
What prompted my suggestion was that the DH9a has an American engine, and thus I had wondered if this was an engine trial.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on July 07, 2020, 11:16:27 AM
I am going to go out on a limb here Cosmo. Is that Gustave Whitehead at the far right of the image, and (roundel notwithstanding) is that pic taken in the US?


Dave the Train: The  picture was taken taken in Chelsea. And for Cosmo, this is 100% Wells was a great self-promoter, but he didn't last very long in the aircraft business. There was a huge gap between his dreams and reality.


Mike
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on July 07, 2020, 11:22:17 AM
I am going to go out on a limb here Cosmo. Is that Gustave Whitehead at the far right of the image, and (roundel notwithstanding) is that pic taken in the US?


Dave the Train: The  picture was taken taken in Chelsea. And for Cosmo, this is 100% Wells was a great self-promoter, but he didn't last very long in the aircraft business. There was a huge gap between his dreams and reality.


Mike


Mike, have you compared your image to the D.H.9A. Your plane is clearly a D.H.9A and so from 1918/1919 onwards.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on July 07, 2020, 11:31:31 AM
I am going to go out on a limb here Cosmo. Is that Gustave Whitehead at the far right of the image, and (roundel notwithstanding) is that pic taken in the US?


Dave the Train: The  picture was taken taken in Chelsea. And for Cosmo, this is 100% Wells was a great self-promoter, but he didn't last very long in the aircraft business. There was a huge gap between his dreams and reality.


Mike


Mike, have you compared your image to the D.H.9A. Your plane is clearly a D.H.9A and so from 1918/1919 onwards.


I don't have time for your cross examinations CS. Find and research something of your own please!


This is the last time I do this with you,  in answer to your latest question: "However, the aviation company went bankrupt in 1917 and was sold to [/size]Waring & Gillow (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waring_%26_Gillow)[/color]"


bye.



Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on July 07, 2020, 11:38:51 AM
Mike I'm not trying to wind you up, I am trying to help you. You shared this image on this forum and mentioned the article you were intent in writing. You sought our help.


Regrettably this image is very clearly NOT what was originally thought. I thought it important you realise this as it would be a shame to have an incorrect image in your article.

Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Dave Smith on July 07, 2020, 11:51:07 AM
Please, all involved we're getting to the " windmill" situation & I for one wish that it doesn't continue. I'm sure ALL comments are made with the best intentions. Let's all continue to be friends, life is too short!.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Dave Smith on July 07, 2020, 11:58:59 AM
Very interesting that Wells was sold to Waring & Gillow. A very famous cabinet maker in Edgeware Road, so their carpentry used on aircraft would have been complementary. A friend of mine was a n apprentice cabinet maker there in 1945-50.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on July 07, 2020, 12:22:45 PM
Very interesting that Wells was sold to Waring & Gillow. A very famous cabinet maker in Edgeware Road, so their carpentry used on aircraft would have been complementary. A friend of mine was a n apprentice cabinet maker there in 1945-50.


I think Wells bankruptcy forced him into selling quickly. Looking at the adverts from the time, Wells employed a huge skilled-work force.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Smiffy on July 07, 2020, 02:37:53 PM
Looks like the DH9 in the photograph has the engine either not yet fitted or removed. As for not being a seaplane, I'm pretty sure I can see the undercarriage wheels.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on July 07, 2020, 02:52:19 PM
Looks like the DH9 in the photograph has the engine either not yet fitted or removed. As for not being a seaplane, I'm pretty sure I can see the undercarriage wheels.


Smiffy: I never said the picture of Wells on the aircraft was a seaplane. A seaplane was used on early tests in Otterham Creek, Kent - which I was interested in, after speaking to several relations of a potter, called Baker. He worked for R.F. Wells. Someone along the way got the wrong end of the stick and confused the two things.


The good thing about the story, Baker had a falling out with Wells over money and stayed in Upchurch. He then founded Upchurch Pottery and stayed in the area until his death.


Mike
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on July 07, 2020, 03:23:59 PM

Smiffy, apologies, the seaplane inference came from the suggestion by Mike that this image dated from 1913.


**1913**


It followed that if 1913 was the date then this image could be the claimed Upchurch/Overshore Seaplane. R.F. Wells ( and Wells Aviation) having made no other aircraft until 1915. This was why I asked for clarification of the date.



Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on July 07, 2020, 03:33:24 PM

It's important from planespotter point of view to note that the plane is a DH9A not a DH9. The former is slightly larger with a bigger engine and wingspan among other improvements. This becomes important when you need to know who built what and where.


Waring and Gillow and their offspring Alliance Aeroplane Co were busy with their contract to build DH9 aircraft. They were not one of the 12 companies that went on to build the DH9A.


I've been sent a nice link for images of Waring and Gillow ( Alliance ) making planes. All DH9 sorry!




https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Alliance_Aeroplane_Co:_1918_Production (https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Alliance_Aeroplane_Co:_1918_Production)
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Smiffy on July 07, 2020, 10:33:37 PM
Mike, my reply had nothing to do with anything you said, it was just in reference to Cosmo's post about guessing why it can't be a seaplane.

I understand the DH9's made by Waring and Gillow were the expensive deluxe version :)
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on July 08, 2020, 08:57:06 AM
Smiffy, there's something else about the photo, that nobody else has mentioned yet. This item makes it unlikely to be the aircraft from the story. Extra clue. It's not anything about that DH9A itself or any appendages on it. There's something else.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Nemo on July 08, 2020, 02:07:45 PM
I note that 'Reginald Fairfax Wells' results in two National Archives hits, a 1911 bankruptcy and Carissima's 1937 petition for divorce ("Rosa Ospovat intervening").
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on July 08, 2020, 06:44:53 PM
Also, we looked for the 1901 and 1911 Cencus for Wells. Has anyone looked for the same for Edward J Baker, the lad who was the potter/potential pilot?
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on July 08, 2020, 07:32:22 PM
I found the correct and original slipway for the seaplane testing along Otterham Creek today. Also reconfirmed the story of test days, dates and hours. Someone had kept a written record of tests, which I saw today. A good day.


Onwards.




Grateful if this detail wasn't posted on other web sites, like https://www.pprune.org If this continues I will stop posting pictures and details,  until after publications.


Many thx.


Mike
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: grandarog on July 08, 2020, 08:10:21 PM
Mike there is already a load of your stuff on that website.
I looked on there when I was trying to help you on here way back.
You have been copied and your pictures posted by people on there.
There is even a link back to this Thread on there.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on July 08, 2020, 08:50:56 PM
Mike there is already a load of your stuff on that website.
I looked on there when I was trying to help you on here way back.
You have been copied and your pictures posted by people on there.
There is even a link back to this Thread on there.


I agree grandarog, but recently since June it has become worse. 
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: stuartwaters on July 08, 2020, 09:41:07 PM
I found the correct and original slipway for the seaplane testing along Otterham Creek today. Also reconfirmed the story of test days, dates and hours. Someone had kept a written record of tests, which I saw today. A good day.
Onwards.
Grateful if this detail wasn't posted on other web sites, like https://www.pprune.org (https://www.pprune.org) If this continues I will stop posting pictures and details,  until after publications.
Many thx.
Mike


Mike, if I can stop this from happening, I will. As I've said elsewhere, copyright on this forum belongs with the author and if a picture you own has been posted elsewhere without your consent, that's a breach of copyright. I've been a victim of this myself, so I know how it feels.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Cosmo Smallpiece on July 08, 2020, 11:10:48 PM
If it adds any clarity, the images on PPRUNE appear to have been posted by a "Megan". They quote the images as coming from this site  https://www.flickr.com/photos/upchurch-village/page1


So not taken from this site, but from somewhere else that Mike had uploaded them.


For further clarification, I am not Megan, and don't know them.
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on July 09, 2020, 08:33:16 AM
I found the correct and original slipway for the seaplane testing along Otterham Creek today. Also reconfirmed the story of test days, dates and hours. Someone had kept a written record of tests, which I saw today. A good day.
Onwards.
Grateful if this detail wasn't posted on other web sites, like https://www.pprune.org (https://www.pprune.org) If this continues I will stop posting pictures and details,  until after publications.
Many thx.
Mike


Mike, if I can stop this from happening, I will. As I've said elsewhere, copyright on this forum belongs with the author and if a picture you own has been posted elsewhere without your consent, that's a breach of copyright. I've been a victim of this myself, so I know how it feels.









Thank you Stuart and I am glad you knows how this feels.  It seems my details and information has been used on another site to get those members interested in my thread. My info is also, it seems as 'barter' to others on this other site.  With information taken from this site, a message thread was placed on another site under the name < Kent Based > Appealing for help and assistance from members on a thread currently running on this forum.  The images are my copyright with assistance of a museum in Lincolnshire. The site quoted on flickr is my site. As an ex photographer of over 50 years I have always claimed copyright on my images and images I have created. Technically as you know, all postings on this site are the copyright of the person who posts them. More than anything, I do not like this "harvesting" of my information.


I register a protest here and i have spoken to the other web site as well. In future I will not post in such an open manner anymore. This is a great shame because it helps other members as well as providing important feedback for myself.


There now has been a great deal of nonsense posted on this topic. I view the use of my images on another site as a breach of copyright on a thread asking for assistance  by a member of this forum after reading my topic.  I will not personally post on this topic again as I think it is  damaging my research and work. To other members, reading this and hanging " dirty-washing in public", I am very sorry. It all comes down to standards, this has dropped below my standard line.


Thank you to Stuart and other members who have sent me, personal messages. As one senior member here said, this could become a " Windmill Situation ".






Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: Mike Gunnill on October 01, 2020, 11:19:39 AM
Update on Reginald Fairfax Wells.


This original post of mine was highjacked a little. After trying for some months I finally made contact with a Wells relation. He provided a letter from a son of Reginald Wells. who was actually in the picture proving the exact date of the photograph.  My date was roughly correct. The contact with the Wells family, has also enabled me to develop the material providing such a factual insight. I have also found the son, of an eye witness who saw the test flights in Otterham Creek and again could confirm the dates of those.  To those who helped, many thanks I am grateful.  I can't go any further at present, prior to publication.








Mike Gunnill
Title: Re: Reginald Wells seaplanes
Post by: stuartwaters on October 01, 2020, 12:13:39 PM
Mike, what you've put on here so far is great, thank you. Totally understand the reasons for not going further.  ;D