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Centenary of flight 2010

Wednesday, 24th March 2010

Celebrate the centenary of flying in south Hampshire. 2010 is a very special year for Southampton Airport, as it marks 100 years since the first ever flight at the airport

Back in 1910, a local man, Edwin Rowland Moon, triumphantly flew his homemade Moonbeam II aircraft from the fields of North Stoneham Farm (which is now Southampton Airport), at a time when aircraft were in their infancy. This demonstration of innovation and ingenuity inspired many more local people to design and build aircraft around the south Hampshire region, including the world famous WWII Spitfire aircraft, and Skeeter helicopters to name but a few. Today, thousands of local people are employed in aviation and aerospace industries in a range of businesses functions from supplying materials and providing services, to specialised aeronautical engineering (i.e. space satellites).

To mark the centenary year in 2010, a series of events are being planned throughout Hampshire by various organisations, to celebrate Hampshire’s rich and proud historical links to aviation and aerospace industries. The activities aim to celebrate the innovation that continues to grow today, and further encourage inward investment to the region.

There will be a series of free aviation lectures in Southampton. Themes include the development of flight paths especially the New York Southampton transatlantic route, famous personalities including the visiting Amelia Earhart to Southampton, around the world attempt of the Vickers Vulture crew from Calshot, notable aircraft, often maiden flights, such as the Spitfire from Eastleigh, and the growth of the local aviation industry.

All lectures are FREE and will take place in the Lecture Theatre, Civic Centre, Southampton. SO14 7LP (Use the Art Gallery / Library entrance by the fountain).

Wednesday 24 March at 7pm : Flight of the Vulture, March 25 1924
Speaker: Vanessa Ascough.
The British Round-the-World flight attempt in the Vickers Vulture amphibian aeroplane, by Sqdn Ldr MacLaren, F/O Plendereith and Sgt Andrews, from RAF Calshot.
Sqdn Ldr MacLaren's grand-daughter, Vanessa, narrates this remarkable story on the eve of the 86th anniversary date of departure.

For more information please call 023 80832755