Celebrating the pioneers of the British Aviation Industry

In his book The Invention of the Aeroplane 1799-1909, Charles H. Gibbs-Smith describes 1908 as “...an annus mirabilis in aviation.” The previous year had seen hesitant efforts to master powered flight in Europe. Then, in 1908, Wilbur Wright made a series of demonstration flights in France, inspiring the European aviation pioneers with his control and mastery of flight. One of Wilbur’s many passengers was future RAeS President, Griffith Brewer. In December 1908, J.T.C. Moore-Brabazon (later Lord Brabazon) in a French Voisin aeroplane became the first Englishman to make a poweredflight as a pilot at Issy-les-Moulineaux, again in France.

In 1907 the Army had agreed to fund the completion of Cody’s design for British Army Aeroplane No.1 and on 16 October 1908 he achieved what is now recognised as the first, albeit brief, official powered aeroplane flight in Britain. At the end of this ‘auspicious year’ the Short brothers registered their company for the manufacture of aeroplanes and in early 1909 signed the first licence agreement for aircraft production.
It was the precursor of one of the most important, exciting and successful manufacturing industries in this country. 1908 was just the start of the ‘big adventure’. The following years saw many more ‘firsts’ and incredible achievements by the inspirational pioneers of aviation in Britain. They are all remembered with respect and pride by these Centenary events.

The Wright brothers outside Mussel Manor at Shellbeach, 4 May 1909.
Back row from left: T.D.F. Andrews, Oswald Short, Horace Short, Eustace Short, Francis McClean, Griffith Brewer, Frank Butler, Dr W.J.S. Lockyer and Warwick Wright.
Front row from left: J.T.C. Moore-Brabazon, Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright and Hon C.S. Rolls.

Meanwhile, back in Britain, two more pioneers of British aviation, A.V. Roe (later Sir Alliott Verdon-Roe) and Samuel F. Cody, were moving closer to achieving powered flight at Brooklands and Farnborough respectively. In June/July 1908 A.V. Roe made several flights under tow and, in his own words, “...nearly left the ground” in his biplane on a powered run.