Clydach/Ynystawe

This photograph was contributed by Mrs Helen McDuff of Pontardawe (Nov 2004)

The Flying Flea

This aircraft was built in the back garden of a cottage which was owned by Mr Jim Hill (seen in the photgraph) which is situated opposite the Millers Arms in Ynystawe. The person in the centre is Mrs Macduff's father Gwilym Price who was in fact the person who actually built the aeroplane together with Mr Hill. Mr Price had been an aero-electrician before this time. This newspaper cutting dates from around 1932 which is when the aircraft was taken for several flights on Mynydd Y Gwair with Mr Hill being the pilot - the flights were undertaken near Mathew's small Radar Research unit. Mr Price was in fact friendly with Mr Mathews and often used to visit him. As a result of this venture both men were offered and accepted employment with the Westland Helicopter Company at Yeovil. Mr Hill stayed with the firm until he retired but Mr Price returned to Pontardawe after a period of some six months.

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