Aviation Interest - A collection relating to Major Robert Hobart Mayo O.B.E, designer of the Short-Mayo Composite aircraft and consulting engineer of long and varied experience in aeronautical engineering.
Comprising a silver ashtray, Birmingham 1936, with inscription 'R.H.M from E.M, I.S.R, G.R.S, CH.J, M.PR, JCH, 6.2.38, Quis Separavit, 10cm wide; a silver Aero Golfing Society miniature propellor, a .925 silver cigarette case with engine turned detail, a Mappin and Webb silver-plated salver, decorated with a Fairey Delta 2 aeroplane and the inscription 'World Air Speed Record 1132 mph 10th March 1956 R.H. Mayo', 21cm diameter; and a group of related paperwork and diaries, including signed Christmas Card from Fairey Aviation Company, notebooks with details of various journeys, circa 1930s-40s, and desk and tablet diaries for the years 1920 - 1926, 1929 and 1931-1935 inclusive. Entries outline various flying tests, conferences and other observations.

Robert Mayo joined the staff of the Royal Aircraft Factory in 1913 and became head of the experimental department. He qualified as a pilot in December 1914 and served in the Royal Flying Corps in France during the First World War. Returning to England, he became Flight Commander in the Testing Squadron at Martlesham Heath. He was personally responsible for the flying trials of various new aircraft types. In 1917, he was appointed head of the Design (Aeroplane) Section at the Air Ministry, and he retained this post until 1919, when he resigned to take Consulting Engineering. He was a consulting engineer and technical manager for Instone Air Lines (later Imperial Airways) from 1923 to 1924. Robert Mayo became a prominent official in competition flying; he was a timekeeper for the Schneider Trophy contest in 1929 and chairman of the Records, Racing and Competition Committee of the Royal Aero Club in later years. He flew over one hundred different aircraft types and had a thorough knowledge of aircraft and engines used in various commercial services.