Photographs and documents relating to the inaugural voyage of the Vickers VA-3 Hovercraft service of British United Airways between Rhyl and Wallasey, July 1962, captained by Mr Leslie Colquhoun.

Collected by Eric Stafford McCalmont-Woods, (1910 - 1973) manager of the Marine Hydro Hotel, Rhyl, where a reception was held for the voyage for Vickers, BP, British United Airways and associated press, 20 July 1962. Collection includes: The Vickers Magazine, Summer 1962. 6 black and white photographs of the Vickers VA-3 Hovercraft, numbered and captioned, number 3 signed by Captain Colquhoun, copyright Vickers Limited, London. 5 black and white photographs of the meal and catering staff of the Marine Hydro Hotel, including McCalmont-Woods, celebration cake and other food, all copyright stamped 'Bob Jones, Pat Williams, Portland Studio, 18 Bodfor Street, Rhyl'. 2 colour postcards marking the first voyage, with special postmark. Various press releases. Letters of thanks to McCalmont-Woods and his staff. Eric Stafford McCalmont-Woods, (17 March 1910 - January 1973, although war record has date of birth as 27 March 1906). Buried in Bangor on Dee churchyard, Wrexham County Borough, memorial number 81. Married Phyliss Kemball (born 1909) in 1932. Served in the Merchant Navy as a Chief Engineer, including service in the Second World War (1939-1945 Star, Atlantic Star with Clasp, War Medal). Worked for Threlfall's Brewery from around 1950s and Whitbread when they took over Threlfall's. Was a General Manager for around 20 years. Worked in the following establishments: New Brighton Hotel, Wallasey, Marine Hydro Hotel, Rhyl, The Nags Head, Thornton, The Meadows, Maghull, Royal Hotel, Burscough, The Royal Hotel, Waterloo.