Isleworth
ISLEWORTH: Seaplane launching site. (Departure point for flying off mostly?)
Operated by: Fairey Aviation Co. Ltd
Location: About 5.5nm E of Heathrow airport centre, roughly 10nm WSW of the City of London
(Note: I suppose the main eastern north/south stream of the Thames was used for taking off?)
Period of operation: 1917 to 1919
The advert, in two parts, was published in The Aeroplane on the 16th February 1921. The area view is from my Google Earth © derived database.
NOTES: Yet another humbling experience. It was Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide' who discovered this Fairey Aviation advert published in The Aeroplane.
When I started researching this project, over twenty years ago, I thought I knew a thing or two about our aviation history, but coulld not find a convenient 'One stop' guide. So, decided to start one - just a book at first can you believe. Had a fine publisher too. Turned out I was quite correct, I did indeed know a thing or two, but only that. Nothing more!
And, to rub salt into the wound, I have lived in west London most of my life. Regard it as being 'my patch', so had reckoned I had most of the history sewn up by 2023. Have discovered some pretty rare flying sites in the area, hard to find a mention of elsewhere. Then this 'bombshell' arrived! Just goes to prove the old saying is very true. The more you learn, the more you realise how little you know.
Will look forward to discovering yet more.
ANOTHER ASPECT
When thinking about all the other seaplane and flying boat bases listed in this 'Guide', one feature is invariably noticed - a slipway - often two or more. So, I decided to zoom in on Google Earth © to look at what might be found in Isleworth. The nature of the river front here has changed quite dramatically in the last few decades, but, slipways do tend to survive around the country. Sometimes for hundreds of years, mainly because they remain useful for launching boats, but also because they are very expensive to remove.
Wharves with cranes were, and still are, to be seen here, but surely a slipway would have been the preferred option for Fairey Aviation. The pictures below were taken at low tide, (this part of the Thames still being tidal), and the rise and fall is quite considerable. So, launching at high tide certainly, and probably at either side of high tide too, would have been available - seaplanes having a very shallow draught.
There might be a question about Slipway Two - it looks like one? If anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be much appreciated.
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