Bristol Aeroplane Company – Did they build pre-fabs post war ??

Interesting – never realised they were built by companies other than construction firms. And I was growing up during those dates. Did the home builders of the day also construct them or were they specifically made by firms like those you mentioned to keep the workforces employed?

Pre-fabs were made 1945/49 by Blackburn/Dumbarton, Bristol/Weston, GAL/Hanworth, Gloster/ Brockworth, Short/Belfast, Vickers/Chester,Blackpool. Kept labour intact, the material was lying idle in store (mostly free ex Lend/Lease). In 1985 the Chinese aircraft industry employed (paid) 500,000 mouths: prime products were window frames and telephone booths in aero-aluminium.

Yes indeed they did. There are still a few “Bristol” pre-fab houses in existence, and several “Bristol” pre-fab schools around the world.

Andy

I’m sure I have read that Bristol did build prefabs – can’t remember where.

Have you tried the Putnam’s Bristol book (C.H.Barnes I think)?

Roger Smith.

Haven’t read it yet but there is a long article in this month’s Aeroplane about the history of Bristol, its aircraft and its engines.

Haven’t read it yet but there is a long article in this month’s Aeroplane about the history of Bristol, its aircraft and its engines.

I took one look at the article in WH Smiths and promptly put the magazine back on the shelf. Having had a quick scan through, with a new project on route need to watch every penny 🙂

Jon

There’s also a new book about Bristol Aircraft by Peter March titled ‘Boxkite to Concorde’ that’s due out at any time soon – a few more details can be found here. Not sure whether it covers Prefabs!! :confused:

Have you tried the Putnam’s Bristol book (C.H.Barnes I think)?
Roger Smith.

I just read it, a Christmas gift to myself, and saw no photos of prefabs.

Don’t know if it was a Bristol or not but I was born in a Pre-Fab in Balham London in 1957! my younger brother was also born there, when I visit Duxford as I do on every visit to England I always stop at the prefab and think of those times long ago…………….

They certainly did

http://www.bristolstories.org/play.php?story=155

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2005/aug/31/architecture

Did you look at it long enough to see ‘MLZ (or half of her) in the background of the photo of the Cunard Brit at Heathrow?? At first glance I thought it was a modern photo taken at Speke 🙂

Roger Smith.

Yes spotted that 😀

Though I am sure I have seen that picture somewhere before. I wonder if it has been in a book at some point……

Jon

I took one look at the article in WH Smiths and pomptly put the magazine back on the shelf. …………Jon

Did you look at it long enough to see ‘MLZ (or half of her) in the background of the photo of the Cunard Brit at Heathrow?? At first glance I thought it was a modern photo taken at Speke 🙂

Roger Smith.