Air Union
Encyclopedia
Air Union was a French
airline
established 1 January 1923 as the result of a merger between the airlines Compagnie des Messageries Aériennes
and Compagnie des Grands Express Aériens
. Air Union was merged with four other French airlines to become Air France
on 7 October 1933.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
airline
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
established 1 January 1923 as the result of a merger between the airlines Compagnie des Messageries Aériennes
Compagnie des Messageries Aériennes
Compagnie des Messageries Aériennes was a pioneering French airline which was in operation form 1919 - 23, when it was merged with Grands Express Aériens to form Air Union.-History:...
and Compagnie des Grands Express Aériens
Grands Express Aériens
The Compagnie des Grands Express Aériens was a pioneering French airline established 20 March 1919 and operating until merged with Compagnie des Messageries Aériennes to form Air Union on 1 January 1923....
. Air Union was merged with four other French airlines to become Air France
Air France
Air France , stylised as AIRFRANCE, is the French flag carrier headquartered in Tremblay-en-France, , and is one of the world's largest airlines. It is a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group and a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance...
on 7 October 1933.
Fleet
- Blériot-SPAD S.27Blériot-SPAD S.27-See also:...
(2 passengers) - Farman F.50P (5 passengers)
- Farman F.60 GoliathFarman F.60 GoliathThe Farman F.60 Goliath was an airliner produced by the Farman Aviation Works from 1919. It was instrumental in the creation of early airlines and commercial routes in Europe after World War I.-Design and development:...
(12 passengers) - Farman F.190Farman F.190|-References:*...
(4 passengers) - Blériot 135Blériot 135-References:* Barfoot, John. "R.E.8 Pilot: Lieutenant William Lefevre Oxley Parker13 Squadron, RFC." The '14-'18 Journal 2006. Sydney: The Australian Society of World War 1 Aero Historians, 14.*...
(8 passengers) - Blériot 155Blériot 155-References:* * *...
(17 passengers, 2 aircraft) - Blériot 165Blériot 165-References:*...
(16 passengers, 2 aircraft) - Breguet 280T (6 passengers, 16 aircraft)
- FBA 19FBA 19-References:* *...
(1 aircraft) - Wibault 282Wibault 280-External links:* photo bottom of pg.866, first two photos pg. 867...
(12 passengers)
Accidents and incidents
- On 7 May 1923, Farman F.60 GoliathFarman F.60 GoliathThe Farman F.60 Goliath was an airliner produced by the Farman Aviation Works from 1919. It was instrumental in the creation of early airlines and commercial routes in Europe after World War I.-Design and development:...
F-AEGP Flandre was damaged in a forced landing at LympneLympne AirportLympne Airport , , was a military and later civil airfield at Lympne, Kent, United Kingdom, which operated from 1916 to 1984. RFC Lympne was originally an acceptance point for aircraft being delivered to, and returning from, France during the First World War...
, Kent. The aircraft was repaired and returned to service.
- On 13 May 1923, Goliath F-AEBY crashedMay 1923 Air Union Farman Goliath crashThe May 1923 Air Union Farman Goliath crash occurred on 14 May 1923 when Farman F.60 Goliath F-AEBY of Air Union crashed at Monsures, Somme, France following the structural failure of a wing in flight. All six people on board were killed.-Aircraft:...
at MonsuresMonsuresMonsures is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:Monsures is situated on the D210 and the D109 roads, some south of Amiens, in the southernmost point of the département, in the valley of the Selle river and surrounded by woods and forests...
, SommeSommeSomme is a department of France, located in the north of the country and named after the Somme river. It is part of the Picardy region of France....
, killing all six people on board. The aircraft was on a scheduled international passenger flight from Paris to CroydonCroydon AirportCroydon Airport was an airport in South London which straddled the boundary between what are now the London boroughs of Croydon and Sutton. It was the main airport for London before it was replaced by Northolt Aerodrome, London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport...
- On 27 August 1923, Farman F.60 Goliath F-AECB crashedAugust 1923 Air Union Farman Goliath crashThe August 1923 Air Union Farman Goliath crash occurred on 27 August 1923 when a Farman F.60 Goliath of Air Union crashed at East Malling, Kent, United Kingdom following an engine failure and reported panic amongst the passengers. One person was killed and nine were injured.-Aircraft:The aircraft...
at East Malling, KentKentKent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
. The aircraft was operating an international scheduled passenger flight from Paris to Croydon. A precautionary landing was made at LympneLympne AirportLympne Airport , , was a military and later civil airfield at Lympne, Kent, United Kingdom, which operated from 1916 to 1984. RFC Lympne was originally an acceptance point for aircraft being delivered to, and returning from, France during the First World War...
due to weather, following which the flight was resumed. One engine later failed and the aircraft crashed following misunderstanding of an instruction for a number of passengers to move towards the rear of the aircraft, affecting the centre of gravity and causing the aircraft to enter a spin.
- On 22 January 1924, Goliath F-GEAO was destroyed by fire following an accident when landing at CroydonCroydon AirportCroydon Airport was an airport in South London which straddled the boundary between what are now the London boroughs of Croydon and Sutton. It was the main airport for London before it was replaced by Northolt Aerodrome, London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport...
.
- On 6 August 1924, Farman F.60 Goliath F-ADDT Languedoc was on a scheduled international passenger flight from Paris to Croydon when the port engine failed. A forced landing was made at Golden Green, KentKentKent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
. One person amongst the pilot and five passengers on board was injured. The aircraft was dismantled to allow removal. It was later repaired and returned to service.
- On 8 February 1925, a Farman Goliath crashed whilst attempting to land at Lympne. The aircraft was on a cargo flight from Paris to Croydon when an engine failed over the Channel.
- On 16 October 1925, Goliath F-HMFU Île de France of Air Union crashed at WadhurstWadhurstWadhurst is a market town in East Sussex, England. It is the centre of the civil parish of Wadhurst, which also includes the hamlets of Cousley Wood and Tidebrook. Wadhurst is twinned with Aubers in France.-Situation:...
, East SussexEast SussexEast Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the south by the English Channel.-History:...
. Three passengers were killed and two were injured. The aircraft may have been repaired and returned to service as its registration was not cancelled until 1 June 1932. Its fuselage is preserved at the Musée de l'Air et de l'EspaceMusée de l'Air et de l'EspaceThe French Air and Space Museum is a French museum, located in the south-eastern edge of Le Bourget Airport, north of Paris, and in the commune of Le Bourget. It was created in 1919 from a proposition of Albert Caquot .-Description:Occupying over of land and hangars, it is one of the oldest...
, Paris.
- On 14 November 1925, Farman F.60 Goliath F-FHMY ditched in the English ChannelEnglish ChannelThe English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
7½ miles (12 km) off BoulogneBoulogne-sur-Mer-Road:* Metropolitan bus services are operated by the TCRB* Coach services to Calais and Dunkerque* A16 motorway-Rail:* The main railway station is Gare de Boulogne-Ville and located in the south of the city....
. The badly damaged aircraft was salvaged and rebuilt, returning to service in 1929.
- On 18 August 1926, Blériot 155Blériot 155-References:* * *...
F-AIEB Wilbur Wright crashedAugust 1926 Air Union Blériot 155 crashThe August 1926 Air Union Blériot 155 crash happened on 18 August 1926 at Hurst, Kent when Blériot 155 F-AIEB of Air Union hit a barn and crashed whilst attempting to make a forced landing in bad weather. Two passengers were killed in the accident, and the pilot died a day later.-Aircraft:The...
2 miles (3.2 km) south of Lympne AirportLympne AirportLympne Airport , , was a military and later civil airfield at Lympne, Kent, United Kingdom, which operated from 1916 to 1984. RFC Lympne was originally an acceptance point for aircraft being delivered to, and returning from, France during the First World War...
, KentKentKent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, killing two crew and two passengers.
- On 2 October 1926, Blériot 155 F-AICQ Clement AderClément AderClément Ader was a French inventor and engineer born in Muret, Haute Garonne, and is remembered primarily for his pioneering work in aviation.- The inventor :...
crashedOctober 1926 Air Union Blériot 155 crashThe October 1926 Air Union Blériot 155 crash happened on 2 October 1926 at Leigh, Kent when Blériot 155 F-AICQ caught fire in mid-air and crashed while the pilot attempted to make an emergency landing at Penshurst Airfield. Both members of crew and all five passengers were killed...
at Leigh, KentLeigh, KentLeigh , historically spelled Lyghe, is a village and a civil parish located in the Sevenoaks district of Kent, England. It is located six miles south of Sevenoaks town and three miles west of Tonbridge....
following an in-flight fire. Both crew and all five passengers were killed.
- On 10 March 1927, Goliath F-AEGP of Air Union made a forced landing near TonbridgeTonbridgeTonbridge is a market town in the English county of Kent, with a population of 30,340 in 2007. It is located on the River Medway, approximately 4 miles north of Tunbridge Wells, 12 miles south west of Maidstone and 29 miles south east of London...
, Kent following an engine failure.
- On 24 November 1927, Goliath F-GEAB of Air Union was severely damaged in a forced landing at Yaldham Manor, WrothamWrothamWrotham is a village situated on the Pilgrims' Way in Kent, at the foot of the North Downs. It is located one mile north of Borough Green and approximately five miles east of Sevenoaks. It is within the junction of the M20 and M26 motorways....
, Kent. The aircraft was later repaired and returned to service.
- On 6 March 1928, Goliath F-AECU Normandie of Air Union crashed at HytheHythe, KentHythe , is a small coastal market town on the edge of Romney Marsh, in the District of Shepway on the south coast of Kent. The word Hythe or Hithe is an Old English word meaning Haven or Landing Place....
, Kent. The aircraft may have been repaired and returned to service as its registration was not cancelled until 1 June 1932.
- On 11 March 1928, Goliath F-AEFC crashed into the English Channel whilst operating an international scheduled passenger flight from Paris to Croydon. The aircraft had landed at Saint-InglevertSaint-Inglevert AirfieldSaint-Inglevert Airfield is a general aviation airfield at Saint-Inglevert, Pas-de-Calais, France. In the First World War an airfield was established near Saint-Inglevert by the Royal Flying Corps, later passing to the Royal Air Force on formation and thus becoming RAF Saint Inglevert...
to await an improvement in the weather before continuing its journey. and the passenger (or passengers) had decided to continue the journey by boat. The aircraft broadcast a MaydayMayday (distress signal)Mayday is an emergency procedure word used internationally as a distress signal in voice procedure radio communications. It derives from the French venez m'aider, meaning "come help me"....
before it crashed into the sea killing both crew. The bodies of the victims were picked up by the Southern Railway'sSouthern Railway (Great Britain)The Southern Railway was a British railway company established in the 1923 Grouping. It linked London with the Channel ports, South West England, South coast resorts and Kent...
ferry .
- On 19 May 1929 Farman F.63bis Goliath F-GEAI, on a flight from Croydon to Paris crashed at Keylands Sidings near Paddock Wood railway station, it stopped yards from the signal box and was destroyed by fire, the pilot and mechanic escaped with minor injuries.
- On 31 July 1929, Goliath F-GEAB of Air Union, on a flight from London to Paris carrying goldGoldGold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
bullion was damaged in a forced landing near SmardenSmardenSmarden is a civil parish and village, west of Ashford in Kent, South East England.The village has The Church of St. Michael which because of its high scissor beam roof is sometimes known as "The Barn of Kent"....
in Kent, bushes on the riverbank stopped the aircraft entering the River BeultRiver BeultThe River Beult is a tributary of the River Medway. It has several sources west of Ashford, including one at Woodchurch. It then flows through Headcorn. At Hunton, above Yalding it is joined by the major stream of the River Teise. Town bridge lies 10¼ miles from Allington, it is the longest...
although some of the gold bullion it was carrying ended up in the river, the bullion was recovered by spectators and transferred by lorry to Lympne for onward transport to Paris. The aircraft may have been repaired and returned to service as its registration was not cancelled until 1 June 1932.
- On 10 February 1930, Farman F.63 Goliath F-FHMY crashed1930 Air Union Farman Goliath crashThe 1930 Air Union Farman Goliath crash occurred on 10 February 1930 when a Farman F.63 Goliath of Air Union crashed whilst attempting an emergency landing at Marden Airfield, Kent following the failure of the starboard tailplane. Two of the six people on board were killed.-Aircraft:The aircraft...
at Marden AirfieldMarden AirfieldMarden Airfield was an airfield in Marden, Kent, United Kingdom. It was operation from 1917 to 1935. Initially a Royal Flying Corps airfield during World War I it was used post-war as an Emergency Landing Strip, RAF Marden by the Royal Air Force. It was also known as Pagehurst Emergency Landing...
, KentKentKent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
following structural failure of the starboard elevator. Two passengers killed of the six people on board.
- On 1 May 1930, Farman F.63 Goliath F-ADCA crashed at PenshurstPenshurstPenshurst is a village and civil parish in the Sevenoaks district of Kent, England. The parish is located on the northern slopes of the Weald, west of Tonbridge. Within the parish boundaries are the two villages of Penshurst and Fordcombe, with a combined population of some 1,479 persons. The...
, KentKentKent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
after encountering a heavy squall whilst on a flight form Le Bourget to Croydon.
- On 25 July 1930, Lioré et Olivier LeO 21 F-AIZO Golden Ray/Rayan dOr made a forced landing at SnaveSnaveSnave is a very small hamlet located on Romney Marsh in Kent, England just off the A2070 road nine miles south of the town of Ashford. Snave only consists of a few houses and the church of St Augustine's which holds one service per year at harvest festival. In spring, the churchyard is famed for...
, Kent following an engine failure. The aircraft was dismantled and removed to Hythe, KentHythe, KentHythe , is a small coastal market town on the edge of Romney Marsh, in the District of Shepway on the south coast of Kent. The word Hythe or Hithe is an Old English word meaning Haven or Landing Place....
.
- On 17 January 1931, Breguet 280T F-AIVU crashed whilst attempting to land at Lympne. The aircraft caught the boundary fence and crashed onto the airfield, damaging the forward fuselage and undercarriage. Of the eight people on board, one of the crew was injured.
- On 23 April 1931, Farman F.60 Goliath F-ADDT Languedoc of Air Union crashed at Widehurst Farm, Marden after taking off from Marden. The aircraft was carrying mail.