Sir Alan Cobham Pilot’s History Sir Alan Cobham, A Pilot’s Logbook kept by Sir Alan Cobham, 1918-32, first page inscribed Alan John Cobham, Stag Lane Aerodrome, date of birth ‘6thMay 1894. No of Licence 54. 1920 flying with the Aircraft Manufacturing Coy Ltd. mainly photographing, 1921 flying with the De Havilland Aircraft Company, lists of flying in Spain,N . Africa, more Europe. Facinating piece of real History. Second is a Engine Logbook for a Gipsy Major I, with the owner being Sir Alan Cobham, De Havilland Engine Works. Book is also full . Third a framed photo of Alan Cobham in RFC uniform. I think the photo is possibly a later re-print ? possibly. Sir Alan John Cobham, born in London in 1894, was one of the most influential figures in early aviation. His career began during World War I when he served in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps in 1917, where he quickly became a skilled flying instructor. After the war, Cobham turned his attention to long-distance flights, pioneering daring routes that captured the imagination of the public and demonstrated the potential of aviation for both exploration and transport. In 1925–1926, he completed a remarkable round-trip flight from London to Cape Town in a de Havilland DH.50J, covering over 5,000 miles, followed shortly afterward by a London-to-Australia flight. These feats not only showcased his extraordinary skill as a pilot but also earned him widespread recognition, including a knighthood from King George V in 1926, the Air Force Cross, and the Livingstone Medal from the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Cobham was also deeply committed to promoting aviation to the general public. From 1932 to 1935, he organized “Sir Alan Cobham’s Flying Circus,” a series of national aviation displays that brought the thrill of flight to towns across the United Kingdom. These events allowed nearly a million people to experience flying for the first time and helped foster a generation of aviation enthusiasts. In addition to public engagement, Cobham was a visionary innovator. He founded Flight Refuelling Ltd, which developed pioneering mid-air refuelling techniques that became a foundation for modern military aviation. His company, now known as Cobham plc, remains an important aerospace firm. Throughout his life, Cobham wrote several books recounting his experiences, including My Flight to the Cape and Back and A Time to Fly, leaving behind a lasting legacy as both an adventurer and a pioneer of the skies. Sir Alan Cobham’s contributions to aviation—through daring flights, public engagement, and technological innovation—cemented his place as one of the most significant figures in 20th-century aviation history. Sir Alan Cobham Pilot’s History
