Bill Heeley with his rocket, 27th March 1937.
Original photograph © Fox Photos Ltd., 21 Bridge Street, Manchester.

The notes on the back of the picture read:
"This gentleman (in the double-breasted coat at right) took a keen interest in the Society's activities : he asked so many questions we had him marked down as a potential member. Alas for youthful innocence : he proved to be a plain-clothes man & collected all the evidence he needed to prove we had contravened the Explosives Act (1875) !"

"W. Heeley, surrounded by the inevitable curious crowd, adjusting the rocket in the launching frame, ready to be fired. This rocket exploded and several people who refused to take heed of warning notices to keep at least 300 feet away were slighly injured."

"Model constructed of duralumin."