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Sopwith Aviation Company Founded
Thomas Sopwith Opened a Small Aircraft factory in Kingston on 1912. The success of his planes led to the growth of the factory until it took up a large portion of the area. -
Sopwith Camel is Invented
The Sopwith Camel first flew in late 1916 and became the most successful allied fighter.
The Sopwith Camelhad some very advanced technolgy such as the synchronised Vickers machine guns.
Another advantage it had was its ability to drop bombs which other fighters at th time could not do. -
Hawker Hurricane First Flown
The Hurricane was a very successful fighter. Althouh the Spitfire is the Hero of the War the Hurricane was the reason for 70% of Britain's aviaion victory in WWII. That is many more than the Spitfire. -
Hawker Hunter First Flown
On 7 September 1953, the modified first prototype broke the world air speed record, achieving 727.63 mph (1,171.01 km/h). Hunters were also used by two RAF display teams; the "Black Arrows", who on one occasion looped a record-breaking 22 examples in formation, and later the "Blue Diamonds", who flew 16 aircraft. Overall, 1,972 Hunters were produced by Hawker Siddeley and under licence. -
Hawker Harrier Jump Jet Invented
First and one of three airplanes to be able to take off vertically The only plane other than an American or Canadian one to be used by the U.S. Airforce
