The Story Behind The Shot - The Sky's The Limit

The course of a person’s life rarely runs straight. There will be unexpected side quests, curious forks in the road, and of course myriad highs and lows.

And in some cases, the highs will literally break the clouds.

The image you see here is Tempest Photography founder, Horace Tempest in the cockpit of his own preferred mode of transport. This little aeroplane and a passion for aviation proved to be the catalyst for many of Horace’s adventures, a handful of firsts, and on one occasion, a brush with calamity.

Clear for take-off…

The Sky’s The Limit

The year was 1946, the War was over and finally, the world could begin looking to the future with hopeful eyes. For Horace Tempest, this meant focusing on ways to continue to build his family business, and, in a world constantly moving forward, the current trend in the photography sector had its head in the clouds.

Aerial shots were in demand, and this proved a new avenue for the business and the spark that ignited Horace’s love for flying. As a man never tired of seeking new avenues for adventure, Horace began training as a pilot. Two years later, he was granted his licence, and in another first, this pilot’s licence proved to be the first ever issued by the Irish Republic.

With his new found skill thriving, Horace joined the Tempest fleet taking to the skies to capture magnificent aerial shots.

A New Twist on The School Run

Not content to only break clouds in a work capacity, Horace found other excuses to fly. In 1950 he even made newspaper headlines! Having been chosen along with his wife, Rose, to appear on a popular quiz of the era – Puzzle Corner – rather than get involved in a long train commute, Horace hopped in his little plane and flew to TV Centre.

A few years later, in 1956, he was making headlines again after coming to the rescue of four Nottingham girls left stranded after their long-awaited trip to Jersey had been cancelled. Seeing their plight, Horace stepped in and offered to fly the quartet to their holiday destination. An offer that was gratefully accepted!

And as if that wasn’t enough, the dutiful father would regularly fly his daughter, Ann, to her school in order to save the youngster a gruelling journey.

A Close Shave

Finding a love for aviation comes with undoubted dangers, and in 1968 Horace almost found his own undoing.

Having enjoyed an uneventful flight on what seemed a typical flying day, he began his landing approach towards the grassy runway of Trevethoe House, Lelant.

Cornish weather, being the volatile type, had a card up its sleeve on this day. As Horace’s little plane puttered in low towards its home, mother nature began to blow in some serious crosswinds. What should have been a routine landing much like the many previous ones was suddenly caught on a knife edge. The plane began to lurch on the turbulent wind as Horace fought to keep control. Then, with the runway nearing, a powerful gust blew the plane off its course and sent it crashing into nearby trees.

For a moment there would have been terror that a life had been lost. Until a shaken but unhurt Horace, walked from the wreckage.

And as was always going to be the case, he would be straight back in to the pilot’s seat.