The Great Aircraft Factory, Ham
Chris Farara

 On July 11th David Hassard gave a very well illustrated talk on the complete history of the Sopwith - Leyland - Hawker - Hawker Siddeley - British Aerospace factory on the Richmond Road near Ham Common.

Built as the No.2 Aircraft Factory by the Government during World War I it was leased by Sopwith in 1918 who offered to buy it after the war. This was rejected and the factory was put out to tender, Leyland being successful in obtaining it.

In 1949 Hawker made an offer to Leyland which was accepted. With name changes to Hawker Siddeley Aviation and British Aerospace the factory continued to produce world leading aircraft such as the Hunter, Harrier and Hawk until it was closed in 1992 and demolished in 1993 by the contractors that built it.

David is willing to give this lecture to interested bodies in the Kingston area as part of the ongoing Kingston Aviation Centenary Project. Contact him via this website.