Aviation Interpretation Board
Aviation
Aviation Map
1912
Location: Hamble Point
The Daily Mail built a shed, in 1912, at Hamble Point as a base for a waterplane — the first recorded aviation at Hamble.
1914
Location: Luke & Co and Hamble Point
Luke & Co., boat builders, formed a company to build seaplanes, constructing their own design, the HL1. Shown at the 1914 Olympia Aero Show, it was never successful.
1915 - 1958
Location: Hamble Point
Fairey Aviation assembled and tested seaplanes at Hamble Point. The Hamble Baby was one of the first developed. The Seafox was designed and built entirely here.
1926 - 1932
Location: South Airfield
The Cierva Autogiro Company worked with Avro at Hamble to develop autogiros, that subsequently helped the development of helicopters.
1916 - 1932
Location: South Airfield
Avro built a factory, airfield and slipway at Hamble during WW1. The Avro 504 and seaplanes were produced in great numbers, later attracting designer Roy Chadwick and test pilot Bert Hinkler.
1931 - 1960
Location: North Airfield
Air Service Training trained civil and military pilots worldwide — known as Britain's Air University. The Southampton University Air Squadron used the airfield until 1979.
1934 - 1940
Location: South Airfield
Armstrong Whitworth built the Ensign, Britain's biggest airliner at the time. AST later operated the factory until 1959, maintaining Aquila Airways flying boats after WW2.
1937
Location: Hamble Aerostructures
British Marine Aircraft opened a factory in 1936 to build flying boats. Folland Aircraft took over in 1937. Today, Hamble Aerostructures is the last aircraft manufacturer in Hamble.
1939
Location: North Airfield
Hamble was one of the country's biggest Spitfire repair bases during WW2. An ATA Female Pilots Pool flew aircraft to and from the airfield from 1941.
1960 - 1984
Location: North Airfield
The College of Air Training trained pilots for BOAC and BEA — later British Airways — as well as civil and military pilots from Britain and overseas.
Hamble's boatbuilding skills made it a natural home for an aircraft industry — especially early wooden seaplanes. The first aircraft arrived in 1912 at Hamble Point; the first purpose-built airfield opened in 1916.
The South Airfield (1916–1933) Built by Avro south of Hamble Lane — now Ensign Park. Fairey Aviation and the Cierva Autogiro Company also used it. The Admiralty began a seaplane base nearby during WW1 but it was never completed.
The North Airfield (1926–1986) Created from farm fields when the South Airfield was outgrown. Users included Fairey Aviation, Simmonds Aircraft, Vickers/Supermarine and Hampshire Aeroplane Club. Air Service Training took over in 1931, followed by the College of Air Training in 1960. This board stands at the main entrance.
© Hamble-le-Rice Parish Council and pictures Ian Underdown
