Bill King is trying to put together for the Association and the
Kingston Aviation Centenary Project a history, before memories
completely fade, of the people that populated the second and third
floors of the Richmond Road factory front offices (nicknamed ‘Hunter
Hall’ by an old friend, ex De Havilland, reflecting the Hatfield view
that the posh offices had been constructed off the back of the profits
from Hunter) and the events that took place there.
The period from the creation of HSA Head Offices (C 1959) to the dissolution of BAe Aircraft Group Headquarters (C 1985) saw revolutionary change for the whole aerospace industry and a changing cast of fascinating people, from Tommy Sopwith to Colin Chandler, as well as a large cast of ‘bit players’
Having worked there, for the various corporate Commercial Directors,
for almost 15 years, Bill would be very happy to hear from any of his
old friends and anyone else who might help him with this task.
Published records seem sparse; if there are any relevant archive
sources out there that can be interrogated it would be most useful to
know. In addition what he really wants is those amusing tales that
bring the story and its people to life. Bill can be contacted, for this
exercise, on his old business number 01372 805194