The 1954 fleet

Between 1953 and 1969, one of the main operators at Staverton Airport was the Aviation Division of Smiths Industries from Bishops Cleeve near Cheltenham. Occupying what is now Hangar SE3, the following images depict the wide range of aircraft that were used for various trials before the flying unit was eventually disbanded. Thanks to Rod Ashforth for arranging loan of the original pictures.

The 1964 fleet

Douglas C-47B Dakota 4 G-AMZE (previously 43-48552 and KJ874)
Loaned to Smiths from the Ministry of Supply in 1953, receiving a special category CofA. It was used on a ministry contract to develop a military version of the SEP2 (Mk10) Autopilot.
This aircraft was eventually broken up for spares at Burnaston (Derby) Airfield in March 1964

DH104 Dove 6 G-AOSE
Handed over to Smiths on 2nd November 1956, the Dove was used as a demonstration aircraft. It was fitted out with all the latest instrumentation enabling it to carry out effective demonstration tours. It was operated by Smiths for 14 years before being sold to Precise Surveys Ltd on 22nd January 1970. It was eventually scrapped at Coventry in 1974.

Vickers 668 Varsity M1 G-ARFP (previously WF387)
This Varsity was acquired by the flying unit in early 1962 and fitted with a Series 5 autopilot as fitted to the DH Trident and Shorts Belfast. Prior to service with Smiths, this aircraft served with 201 Advanced Flying School, 11 Flying Training School at Swinderby and with the Empire Test Pilots' School at Farnborough as WF387. It eventually left the fleet on 3rd January 1968, returning to the RAF as WF387.

Avro 748 srs107 G-ASJT
This aircraft entered the Smiths fleet in October 1963. It was selected as a type representative of current designs. It was used for development of the SEP6 Autopilot and latest instruments as well as demonstration tours including Europe and the US. It left the Smiths fleet on 13th January 1970, being delivered to the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough as XW750. It eventually moved to RAE Bedford.

Courtesy of Colin J West here is a cockpit picture of the 748, clearly showing the PVD (Para-Visual Display) units on the combing and the autopilot control panel in the foreground on the centre console.

A view of the HS748 and DH Dove on maintenance outside what is now SE3

To complete the picture, the following other aircraft were used by Smiths at Staverton:-

G-AHFK	Percival P34 Proctor 3	Bought by Smiths from the RAF on 5th April 1946, this was previously LZ768 in military service. It was sold in April 1958 and subsequently went on to win the King's Cup air race. It ended it's life derelict at Nairobi, Kenya in 1964.
G-AHKX	Avro 19 srs2	Delivered in 1947 as a demonstrator, initially based at Luton and Moreton Valence before moving to Staverton. This aircraft is still in existence, being restored to flying condition by British Aerospace at Woodford near Manchester.
G-AKHY	Miles M65 Gemini 1A	Acquired in 1951, initially based at Luton before moving to Staverton in 1957. Damaged in a forced landing in Devon in April 1964
G-APAZ	Vickers 668 Varsity T1	Formerly WF415, this was acquired as a replacement for the Dakota in May 1957. Tragically it was destroyed on a training flight nr Gloucester on 27th March 1963, sadly with the loss of the two crew.

I would be delighted to receive additional pictures or text relating to the above - please email me if you have any
material you would be willing to share.