On 5 May 1953, Squadron Commander Christopher Draper DSC, English World War I flying ace, nicknamed "the Mad Major.” , was fed up with the government's treatment of veterans. In a show of protest, The Mad Major preceded to fly an Auster monoplane under 15 of the 18 Thames bridges in London. The bridge arches averaged 40 to 50 feet high; with ships providing additional obstacles.
Draper was arrested after landing, charged, and fined. He retained his pilots licence.
"I did it for the publicity," Draper told the press; "For 14 months I have been out of a job, and I'm broke. I wanted to prove that I am still fit, useful and worth employing....They tell me I can be jailed, possibly for six months.....It was my last-ever flight- I meant it as a spectacular swansong.”
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