In the early 1950’s J M Bruce identified the remains of the hull from a Phoenix Cork flying boat lying at a place called Greatbottom Flash near Ashvale . There was also another 1920’s flying boat hull near by . J M Bruce was an aviation historian of some note . Does anyone know what happend to these remains which although in poor condition were substancial ?
By: Atcham Tower - 12th February 2007 at 21:37
I saw these around 1960. The story was that they were moored there in WW2as an obstruction to enemy seaplane landings. (!)
By: OHOPE - 12th February 2007 at 19:28
Thank you for the information on the location as I had no idea where it was and had no luck finding it . It would appear that rather than one of these hulls being one of the Corks , it is a developement , by the English Electric called the P5 Kingston 1 . Maybe they were put there to test the hulls durability as the picture I have seen does not appear to show a hull converted to a houseboat.
By: pogno - 12th February 2007 at 09:38
Greatbottom Flash(had to pause after writing that while I imagined how it got its name)is part of the Basingstoke Canal which runs from Basingstoke passed Odiham,Fleet,Aldershot,Farnborough and on towards Woking. I believe it joint the Thames eventually.
The Flash is a widened section of the canal, like a large pond. I assume it was a mooring and turning area for the working boats from the days when the canal was in use.
I always assumed the hulls had been put into the canal for trials of durability or were just surplus and used as house boats.
By: OHOPE - 12th February 2007 at 08:14
Thank you that is interesting , I wonder how much remained after a further 20 years and if anything remains today of the English Electric Ayr and Phoenix Cork. Were either of these designed by Pemberton-Billing ?
By: G-ASEA - 12th February 2007 at 07:06
The remains of two flying boat where recovered A Ayr? flying boat and something else. This was in a early 70,s Control Column Magazine. This was done by the RAF Museun. Only bits came out. I think this could at Greartbottom Flash?
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February 12, 2007 at 12:16 am