Straight Corporation

Straight Corporation Ltd was a British aviation group established on 17 April 1935 by Whitney Willard Straight, a former racing driver and aviator. Its creation followed discussions between Straight, his mother Dorothy Elmhirst, his stepfather Leonard Elmhirst and engineer William “Bill” Parkhouse about the fragile economics of small regional airports and airlines. The proposed solution was a holding company that could combine several local aviation ventures, share aircraft and technical resources, and provide more substantial terminals, restaurants, training facilities and operating capabilities than the individual businesses could support alone. The group’s first airport takeover was Ramsgate, followed by expansion into Exeter, Ipswich, Plymouth, Haldon, Inverness and other locations. Its operating model generally involved separate local companies managing individual airports, with associated aero clubs providing flying instruction, pleasure flights, charter work and, increasingly, government-supported pilot training. Straight Corporation also pursued a network of municipal and regional airports, although several proposed leases or developments, including Norwich, Meir and Cardiff Pengam Moors, did not proceed. Its airline interests included Southern Airways Ltd and Western Airways Ltd. Southern Airways operated from Ramsgate and provided pleasure, charter, army-cooperation and limited scheduled services around southeastern England. In January 1938, Straight Corporation acquired a controlling interest in Norman Edgar (Western Airways) Ltd and renamed it Western Airways Ltd. Western was the group’s most important operating unit, with a busy Weston-super-Mare–Cardiff service before the Second World War and a progressively stronger engineering business. The group’s civilian activities were severely interrupted when the war began in September 1939. Private flying, flying clubs and ordinary airline operations were restricted or suspended, while many airports were taken over by the Air Ministry or used for military purposes. The corporation’s engineering capabilities, especially those associated with Western Airways, helped it remain relevant during and after the war. Western Airways later undertook aircraft maintenance, repair, modification and parts manufacture, and built Bristol Freighters under licence or production arrangements. Straight Corporation’s activities gradually contracted after the war. Some airports returned to civilian use, while others closed or passed to public authorities. Exeter Airport, one of its most important locations, remained under a Straight-associated lease until 1974, when Devon County Council assumed responsibility. Western Airways eventually wound down and was formally wound up in 1978. The corporation is therefore best understood not as a modern passenger-airline brand, but as an interwar and postwar British aviation infrastructure group whose businesses spanned regional air transport, airport operation, flying training and aerospace engineering.

Straight Corporation emerged from the interwar expansion of British civil aviation. Whitney Straight had learned to fly at Haldon Airfield in Devon and had also become known as a racing driver. Concerned about the risks of motor racing, his family encouraged him to pursue aviation-related business instead. William Parkhouse, who operated an engineering company and was involved with Haldon, Exeter and Torquay airfields, argued that small airports and airlines needed consolidation. Straight accepted the proposal and established the corporation in London on 17 April 1935. The company was conceived as a coordinated network rather than a single airline. It sought to control or manage a substantial number of municipal and regional airports, while using local operating companies and aero clubs at each site. Shared aircraft, staff and engineering resources were intended to improve utilization and reduce the disadvantages of small-scale aviation. Ramsgate was the first airport taken over. Exeter followed in 1936, while Ipswich and Plymouth were also acquired or managed during the same period. Haldon, Inverness, Weston-super-Mare, Newquay, Swansea, Clacton, Bury St Edmunds and other locations were subsequently connected with the group in varying forms. The airports supported several types of flying. They handled scheduled and charter services, sightseeing and pleasure flights, pilot training, club flying and military cooperation. The Civil Air Guard scheme, introduced in 1938, generated considerable demand for elementary flight training. In 1939, Elementary and Reserve Flying Training Schools were established at some Straight-associated airports, with fleets that included Tiger Moths, Piper J-4 Cubs, Hillson Pragas and Avro Ansons. The corporation also developed airline businesses. Southern Airways operated primarily from Ramsgate and served routes and activities around the Thames Estuary and East Anglia. Its operations included pleasure, charter and army-cooperation flights, as well as services linking Ramsgate, Ilford, Clacton, Ipswich and Southend on a request-stop basis. In 1938, Straight acquired control of Western Airways. Based at Weston-super-Mare, Western was already operating a notably frequent Weston–Cardiff service. Under Straight ownership it expanded its aircraft and routes and developed an engineering function that became more important than the airline itself. The Second World War disrupted the original civil-aviation strategy. Private flying and normal airline activity were prohibited or permitted only under official authorization. Airports were requisitioned, transferred to state control or converted to military use. Exeter, Weston and other locations acquired wartime roles, while associated clubs and civilian services were suspended. The group nevertheless retained value through technical work and aviation support. Western Airways survived the wartime interruption and expanded its maintenance, repair, modification and manufacturing capabilities after 1945, including the construction of Bristol Freighters. Postwar conditions were less favorable to the original network. National and regional government bodies became more involved in airport ownership and management, costs increased, and several prewar airfields did not regain their former importance. Inverness closed to the group’s earlier role in 1947, Haldon closed in 1946, and the Weston Aero Club eventually ended in 1949 after Western Airways withdrew support because of rising costs. Exeter remained associated with the corporation for decades, but its lease ended in 1974 when Devon County Council took over. Western Airways continued as an engineering and aviation business before being wound up in 1978. Straight Corporation’s legacy lies in its early attempt to integrate British regional air transport, airports, flight training and aerospace engineering.

• 1978

  Western Airways is wound up

  [1]Straight Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  The corporation’s principal airline and engineering subsidiary was formally wound up.

• 1974

  Devon County Council takes responsibility for Exeter Airport

  [1]Straight Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  The long-term Exeter lease ended and airport responsibility passed to the county council.

• 1947

  Postwar civil aviation resumes at Exeter

  [1]Straight Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Exeter returned to civilian administration and Straight-associated operations and its aero club were re-established.

• 1939

  Wartime restrictions halt civilian activity

  [1]Straight Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  The outbreak of the Second World War stopped ordinary private flying and disrupted the corporation’s airline, airport and club activities.

• 1938

  Western Airways is acquired

  [1]Straight Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Straight Corporation bought a controlling interest in Norman Edgar (Western Airways) and renamed the airline Western Airways Ltd.

• 1938

  Civil Air Guard training begins

  [1]Straight Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Straight-operated airports participated in the Civil Air Guard and later supported elementary and reserve flight-training schools.

• 1937

  Haldon and Inverness are added

  [1]Straight Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Straight-associated companies took over management of Haldon and Inverness airfields.

• 1936

  Exeter and Ipswich operations expand the network

  [1]Straight Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  The corporation took over or began operating Exeter and Ipswich airports, adding important regional bases.

• 1935

  Straight Corporation is established

  [1]Straight Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Whitney Straight founded the corporation on 17 April as an aviation holding company focused on regional airports, airlines and flying clubs.

• 1935

  Ramsgate becomes the first airport operation

  [1]Straight Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Ramsgate Airport Ltd was formed to operate the first airport taken over by the corporation.

An integrated regional aviation operator designed to consolidate small British airports, airlines, flying clubs and engineering resources.

• Airline services · 1935

  Southern Airways

  A Straight Corporation airline based mainly at Ramsgate. It combined pleasure and charter flying with army-cooperation work and a small scheduled network around southeastern England and East Anglia. Its aircraft were sometimes drawn from other Straight-associated companies, reflecting the group’s strategy of sharing resources across its operating network. Civilian activity ended when wartime restrictions began in 1939.

• Airline and aerospace engineering · 1938

  Western Airways

  The group’s most significant operating subsidiary after its acquisition in 1938. Western Airways was based at Weston-super-Mare and operated frequent regional services, including the Weston–Cardiff route. Its engineering department later became a major part of the business, undertaking maintenance, repair, modification and parts work and participating in the construction of Bristol Freighters.

• Airport management · 1935

  Airport operations

  Straight Corporation operated airports through local companies, including facilities at Ramsgate, Exeter, Ipswich, Plymouth, Haldon, Inverness, Weston-super-Mare, Newquay and Swansea. The sites supported scheduled services, charter operations, flying clubs, pilot training and military cooperation. Ownership and operating arrangements varied by location, with some airports leased, some purchased and others managed for public or private owners.

• Touring aircraft · 1936

  Miles M.11A Whitney Straight

  A side-by-side touring monoplane designed by F. G. Miles at Whitney Straight’s request for use by flying clubs. The aircraft emphasized modernity, comfort and economy and was produced in a run of 50 aircraft between April 1936 and April 1938. Straight Corporation acquired several, and Whitney Straight Ltd was created to promote the type.

• 1938Civil Air Guard participation

  United Kingdom

  Straight-operated airports joined the Civil Air Guard training scheme, responding to strong demand for elementary pilot instruction before the Second World War.

  Outcome. The program expanded training activity and led to additional aircraft acquisitions and the creation of Elementary and Reserve Flying Training Schools at selected sites.

  Source
• 1936Ramsgate Aviation Holiday Camp

  United Kingdom

  Straight Corporation promoted aviation-themed holidays at Ramsgate, offering accommodation, free pleasure flights and a free introductory flying lesson.

  Outcome. The facility operated during the 1936 and 1937 summer seasons and was later renamed the Ramsgate Flying Centre.

  Source

• 1939

  Shift from civilian flying to wartime aviation supportOther

  Background

  Government restrictions at the outbreak of the Second World War stopped most private and commercial civilian flying.

  Action taken

  The corporation’s airports and aircraft were placed under wartime restrictions or state and military control, while technical capabilities supported wartime aviation needs.

  Aftermath

  Western Airways survived and developed a substantial postwar engineering business, but the prewar airport-and-club network contracted.

  Source

• 1938

  Acquire control of Norman Edgar (Western Airways)M&A

  Background

  Western Airways already operated a heavily used regional route between Weston-super-Mare and Cardiff.

  Action taken

  Straight Corporation purchased a controlling share and renamed the company Western Airways Ltd.

  Aftermath

  Western became the group’s principal airline and later its most important engineering and manufacturing operation.

  Source

• 1935

  Create an integrated regional aviation holding companyStrategy

  Background

  Parkhouse believed small airports and airlines were too limited to remain viable independently.

  Action taken

  Straight established a holding company intended to coordinate up to 15 municipal airports and share aircraft, staff, facilities and engineering resources.

  Aftermath

  The corporation built a multi-site British aviation network spanning airports, airlines, aero clubs and technical operations.

  Source

1. 1Straight Corporationen.wikipedia.org