Charles Douglas Barnard (8 December 1895 – 7 August 1971) was a British pilot, who took part in 1920s air races and record-breaking flights.
Early life
Charles Barnard was born on 8 December 1895, the son of Charles Gilbert Barnard. He was once reported to be a cousin of Captain Franklyn Leslie Barnard, an airline pilot who was also notable in air racing events, but that was disproved in the results of the 1901 UK census.
World War I
He served as a private with the Honourable Artillery Company, then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. His service included postings to 2 Squadron and 3 Squadron. In October 1918, he was appointed acting captain, and ended his commission in June 1919. Thereafter, he served on the Royal Air Force reserve list until July 1936.
Sopwith Aviation
In 1919, he was employed by Sopwith Aviation Company, and was briefly assigned to operating Sopwith Gnu (K-101) on pleasure flights from the beach at Southport, where on 10 June 1919, his engine caught fire. He managed to crash land on the beach, thus saving the life of his passenger. He however, received considerable burns to his own face and arms, that required extensive hospitalisation.
De Havilland Aircraft
From 1922 to 1928, he was employed as a flying instructor by De Havilland Aircraft, at Stag Lane Aerodrome. In 1923, he made the first flight between London and Malta.
1920s air racing
On 14 July 1923, he flew De Havilland DH.9C (G-EBDD) in the King's Cup Race at Hendon Aerodrome, but was placed outside the top three?. On 6 August 1923, he flew Airco DH.9 (G-EBEZ) in the Aerial Derby at Croydon Airport, and finished third. On 4 July 1925, he flew de Havilland DH.51A (G-EBIM) in the King's Cup Race at Croydon Aerodrome, but failed to finish. On 6 July 1930, he flew DH.80A Puss Moth (G-AAXW) in the King's Cup Race at Hanworth Aerodrome, and finished in 13th place.
1928/1929 England to India flights
On 10 June 1928, he took off from Lympne Airport in Fokker F.VIIa (G-EBTS, named 'Princess Xenia') on a flight to Karachi (then in India). He was accompanied by Flying Officer Eric Herbert Alliott, and Mary Russell, Duchess of Bedford. At this time, the duchess employed Barnard as personal pilot and flying instructor. The flight was interrupted for about eight weeks at Bushire, Persia, during which the duchess returned to England by sea. A replacement Bristol Jupiter engine was fitted, and the aircraft completed the flight to Karachi. On 2 September 1928, Barnard and Alliott took off from Karachi, towards staging posts at Bushire, Aleppo and Sofia. On 6 September, they reached Croydon for a night landing, after a record breaking flight of 5,000 miles in 4.5 days.
On 2 August 1929, he took off from Lympne Airport Fokker F.VIIa (G-EBTS now renamed 'The Spider') on a flight to Karachi. Co-pilot and mechanic was Robert (Bob) Little, with the Duchess of Bedford also as extra pilot. They returned to Croydon Airport after a record-breaking return flight of 10,000 miles in eight days. Barnard was later awarded a Royal Aero Club Gold Medal.
1930 Brian Lewis and C.D. Barnard Ltd
In 1930, with Brian Lewis, 2nd Baron Essendon, he co-founded Brian Lewis and C.D. Barnard Ltd for sales of De Havilland aircraft, and based at Heston Aerodrome. In August 1931, Brian Lewis and C.D. Barnard Ltd merged with the aviation department of Selfridges to become Brian Lewis & Co., Ltd.
1930 England to Cape Town flight
On 10 April 1930, he took off from Lympne in Fokker F.VIIa (G-EBTS, renamed 'The Spider'), on a flight to Cape Town. He was accompanied by Robert (Bob) Little, and the passenger was the Duchess of Bedford, who had purchased the aircraft in September 1929. On 19 April, they reached Maitland aerodrome, Cape Town, after a record-breaking time of 91 hours and twenty minutes flying over 10 days. On 29 April, during the return flight, a forced landing was made at Dragoman, Bulgaria. The next day, they returned to Croydon after repairs to the engine oil system. Later, Fokker awarded a silver commemorative medal to Barnard.