Images histowy

The History of Kingston Aviation

By NavonilAnand
  • Sopwith gains the 'Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 31'

    Sopwith gains the 'Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 31'

    After teaching himself how to fly, Thomas Sopwith gains this award of achievement.
  • Sopwith started the 'Sopwith School of Aviation'

    Sopwith started the 'Sopwith School of Aviation'

    Due to years of flight experience, Thomas Sopwith opened the Sopwith Schol of Aviation.
  • Thomas Sopwith starts the Sopwith Aviation Company

    Thomas Sopwith starts the Sopwith Aviation Company

    Today, Thomas Sopwith begun the plane production giant that is (or was) the Sopwith Aviation Company, till it was renamed.
  • Harry Hawker joins forces with Sopwith and Sigrist

    Harry Hawker joins forces with Sopwith and Sigrist

    Harry Hawker, who would later make up part of the Sopwith Aviation Company's name, arrived in the UK in 1911, and had joined the upstart Sopwith Aviation Company
  • Sopwith Aviation purchases the Roller Skating Rink Factory

    Sopwith Aviation purchases the Roller Skating Rink Factory

    On this day, the Sopwith Aviation company (as it was known as at the time) purchased this site after they begun selling planes.
  • The 1913 D1 was built.

    The 1913 D1 was built.

    The D1 was the first purely Sopwith-constructed plane. It bombed Dusseldorf in 1915.

  • Harry Hawker breaks two GB Height Records

    Today, Harry Hawker broke both the height record of a plane carrying both one and two passengers.
  • First (recorded) flight of a Sopwith Camel

    First (recorded) flight of a Sopwith Camel

    One of Thomas Sopwith's greatest acheivements (the Sopwith Camel) was flown for the first time today.
  • First flight of the Sopwith Buffalo

    First flight of the Sopwith Buffalo

    The Sopwith Buffalo was a plane with two purposes-
    1) Fighting
    2) Reconnaissance
  • Hawker Demon- First Flight

    Hawker Demon- First Flight

    A variant of its bomber plane brother, the Hawker Demon was a fighter plane first flown on this day.
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    Hawker Siddeley is slowly founded.

    Sopwith developed into Hawker Siddeley, on of the leaders in manufacture of fighter planes--named after H G Hawker, a brilliant young pilot who joined with Sopwith.
  • First flight of the Hawker Hurricane

    First flight of the Hawker Hurricane

    The Hawker Hurricane, arguably the most important plane in the Battle of Britain was flown for the first time on this day.
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    World War 2

    One of (if not the) gravest war facing the world was WW2, but it was a great time for development in aircraft.
  • Britain and France declare war on Germany

    Britain and France declare war on Germany

    Due to formed alliances and treaties, Britain and France declare war on Germany.
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    The 'Battle of Britain'

    The battle for aerial supremecy was more than just shooting down enemy aircraft-it was about gaining Britain for the Nazis, and protecting it for the Britons. Ultimately, the R.A.F.'s superior aircraft -- for example, the Hurricane -- proved to be the deciding factor in their victory.
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    Hawker Sea Fury invented, design and flown.

    A key influential plane was made, designed and flown.
  • First Flight of the Hawker Harrier

    First Flight of the Hawker Harrier

    This jet was unique in that it allowed vertical takeoff and an ability teremed "hovering." It became one of the most innovative fighter jets ever.