Rebirth of the 1930s Dart Kitten
(Dec 09)
Alan Hartfield, an ex RAF technician and currently an inspector for the Light Aircraft Association, came to the AEG to talk about his long association with a Dart Kitten. He had owned one for 22 years, and had displayed it at Shuttleworth several times in previous years. Although he sold the aircraft recently, he is still obviously attached to the aeroplane and its performance.
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In 1930s Germany, Alfred Weyl, a one-time aircraft designer with the Fokker company, was arrested for his anti-Nazi views. As a result he moved to the Dunstable area, where he was later joined by his family. Here he met two other German exiles, both of whom were involved with glider repair & maintenance. With their encouragement, he designed a small, easily manoeuvrable and easily maintained aircraft for the amateur flyer and named it the Dart Kitten.
Built in premises in Dunstable High Street, its 2 stroke engine was noisy and not very powerful. The aircraft had its first test flight in May 1937. G-AEXT was the second Kitten to be built and was fitted with a JAP 2 cylinder, 4 stroke engine of 1860ccs which gave a maximum of 36 horse power. The aircraft was also extremely light (580 lbs), with a wingspan of only 32’. It proved very popular with Geoffrey Allington, a demonstration pilot, and both Geoffrey and John De Havilland flew it.
The Dart Aircraft Company became involved in making parts for military aircraft before WWII, and on the outbreak of war, G-AEXT was dismantled and stored in two locations, with the wings being destroyed by bombing. Despite offering his design knowledge to the British Government Alfred Weyl was interned for 4 years, only to emerge a broken man. He attempted to form another company with AVM Bennett at Chalfont. Unfortunately, the company failed to prosper and Weyl later took his own life.
In all, only four Darts were made, a third produced in 1952 and a fourth being home-built in New Guinea.
G-AEXT flew again post-war after new wings were made. A crash in 1964 required by a rebuild by enthusiasts and it was later bought by the speaker who owned it for 22 years. He recounted how scarce spares were found by coincidental meetings and introductions to other enthusiasts, to the point where he could now supply others in a similar predicament.
Alan gave a detailed account of the flying and handling techniques necessary to make the most of the aircraft and its idiosyncrasies. The pictures below were taken on his last, somewhat emotional, display in the Kitten at Shuttleworth on 20th September, 2008.
Built in premises in Dunstable High Street, its 2 stroke engine was noisy and not very powerful. The aircraft had its first test flight in May 1937. G-AEXT was the second Kitten to be built and was fitted with a JAP 2 cylinder, 4 stroke engine of 1860ccs which gave a maximum of 36 horse power. The aircraft was also extremely light (580 lbs), with a wingspan of only 32’. It proved very popular with Geoffrey Allington, a demonstration pilot, and both Geoffrey and John De Havilland flew it.
The Dart Aircraft Company became involved in making parts for military aircraft before WWII, and on the outbreak of war, G-AEXT was dismantled and stored in two locations, with the wings being destroyed by bombing. Despite offering his design knowledge to the British Government Alfred Weyl was interned for 4 years, only to emerge a broken man. He attempted to form another company with AVM Bennett at Chalfont. Unfortunately, the company failed to prosper and Weyl later took his own life.
In all, only four Darts were made, a third produced in 1952 and a fourth being home-built in New Guinea.
G-AEXT flew again post-war after new wings were made. A crash in 1964 required by a rebuild by enthusiasts and it was later bought by the speaker who owned it for 22 years. He recounted how scarce spares were found by coincidental meetings and introductions to other enthusiasts, to the point where he could now supply others in a similar predicament.
Alan gave a detailed account of the flying and handling techniques necessary to make the most of the aircraft and its idiosyncrasies. The pictures below were taken on his last, somewhat emotional, display in the Kitten at Shuttleworth on 20th September, 2008.
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