I think I have the final piece of evidence to confirm that Alan Francis Eckford DFC in civilian life was Alan Eckford the boat builder/designer/businessman, and creator to that oddity the amphibious caravan!NewcastleFalcon wrote: ↑12 Jun 2020, 17:49Do you think these two are one and the same. They are both called Alan Eckford, both have Hertfordshire links, both designers. Interesting Bio on Alan Eckford here. http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Eckford.htmmickthemaverick wrote: ↑12 Jun 2020, 16:07 It is amazing what you come across when you go digging around in 1955:
This might make a useful trailer!
It is another comment by that chap who worked for Alan in the 1960's Brian Bethell this time on a Herts Memories site found by a friend from Hertfordshire, also engaged in our little quest.
of course
So the mystery is solved, but I am still intrigued. I would have thought his service would have warranted a piece on him in the national press on his passing, but if there was I haven't found one yet. Again perhaps that was his own wishes.I was interested to read the article about the Otter floating caravan. I worked for Alan Eckford in the early 1960s building sailing craft at his small factory unit in Conduit Lane Hoddesdon next to Sams Bros factory he was a great chap, ex WW2 Spitfire pilot. I spent great times with Alan sailing on the river Crouch. The Pathe news clip shows Alan, Ron and wives with the Otter commentary by Eamon Andrews of ‘this is your life’ fame
By Brian Bethell (16/03/2018)
regards neil
Ignore the teddy bear, a school project of one of our grandchildren.
