A relative of mine, working for HM Prison Service, on the Isle of Sheppey, told me about this earlier on in the year, but I’ve just come across this website.
Subject to Lottery Funding approval… some of the original airfield buildings at Eastchurch are to be preserved within a new building, forming the basis for a new museum and multipurpose business & community venue.
http://www.theflyingstart.co.uk/home
Not being too familiar with the story of UK aviation pioneers, I never realised the significance of the Isle of Sheppey!
The ‘Past’ section of the website makes interesting reading.
Dean.
By: Paul F - 12th December 2007 at 11:09
Eastchurch airfield
‘In 1909 Moore-Brabazon made the first live cargo flight by fixed-wing aircraft, by tying a waste-paper basket to a wing strut of his Shorts-built Wright aircraft. Then, using it as a “cargo hold”, he airlifted one small pig.’
🙂
There is at least one photo of this event (and said piglet), and it has been published in a number of books. I first came across it in a book called “Aircraft Aircraft” published in the seventies.
Paul F
By: DeanK - 12th December 2007 at 08:17
Disappointment For Flying Start Project
Thought this had gone a bit quiet, I’ve only just caught up with it.
Unfortunately, the National Lottery has rejected funding for the Flying Start Project, on the Isle of Sheppey. Although the Flying Start website has not been updated, I found this article on the web; I wish them well in their quest for funding.
http://www.yourcounty.co.uk/localnews/flyingstart151107n4.html
Dean.
By: wieesso - 17th October 2007 at 21:45
Eastchurch airfield
‘In 1909 Moore-Brabazon made the first live cargo flight by fixed-wing aircraft, by tying a waste-paper basket to a wing strut of his Shorts-built Wright aircraft. Then, using it as a “cargo hold”, he airlifted one small pig.’
🙂
from ‘Early aviation’ http://www.ashfordlocal.co.uk/about/sheppey/history.php
There is an ambitious project: Sky Sheppey 2009
http://www.eastchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/CA388BD3-EC6A-4047-8FAD-8B09A67F1543/0/SkySheppeybrochure2.pdf
Martin
By: Pondskater - 16th October 2007 at 23:05
I’d seen some of this before – it certainly is an impressive project. All the more so when compared to the former Seaplane Works at Rochester. All the buildings alongside the Medway have now gone and there is nothing in the town to acknowledge Short Brothers’ presence, although thankfully there are some trying to rectify that.
Considering the changes along the Medway, it is astonishing how much has survived at Eastchurch. I have a photo of Short Brothers’ factory there in 1910 and it looks almost identical to the photo on the website of what is there today. It is a very ambitious projkect – I wish it well.
Allan
By: Lindy's Lad - 15th October 2007 at 19:07
The BAPC meeting at DX earlier this year was treated to the whole presentation. Looks impressive.
By: pagen01 - 15th October 2007 at 16:13
Very interesting, looks like a previous thread on the oldest airfield might have to be readjusted!
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October 15, 2007 at 3:39 pm