Christopher Draper was a pilot who served in both world wars and had a weakness for flying under bridges. There's a fair amount of information on the internet regarding MI5 activities in the 1930s. Draper was always short of cash and I've little doubt he saw the Germans as a useful source of income. However, spying was a dangerous game, even in peacetime; being a double agent was a way of having his cake and eating it. I don't believe he was in the least bit treacherous, he served throughout both world wars, and in the case of the Second World War, was much older than most servicemen; doubtless joining up again was a good way of earning and finding a slice of excitement.
The bridges he flew under in 1953 and the clearances at low tide in imperial measurements. He overflew three bridges because he couldn't get a clear run through, either because of perceived difficulties with lining up for entry and exit, or because someone was in the way - in a boat.
Waterloo 48' 10"
Charing Cross 43' 7" (not flown under)
Westminster 38' 5"
Lambeth 41' 4"
Vauxhall 39'
Victoria Rail 39' 4"
Chelsea 41' 4"
Albert 36' 9"
Battersea 37' 5"
Battersea Rail 39'
Wandsworth 37' 9"
Fulham Rail 40' 8" (not flown under)
Putney 35' 9"
Hammersmith 29' 6"
Barnes Rail 35' 1"
Chiswick 38' 8"
Kew Rail 34' 9" (not flown under)
Kew 34' 2"
Music: 'Honeysucke' by Honeyroot
Maps courtesy of the National Library of Scotland
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