Tom Morgan Posted 26 February , 2004 Share Posted 26 February , 2004 Can anyone tell me if there was any kind of factory or workshop or whatever making or assembling Sopwith aircraft near Lewes, East Sussex, during WW1? If there was was, does anyone have any basic info about it? I'd be grateful for any details. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salientpoints Posted 26 February , 2004 Share Posted 26 February , 2004 Hi Tom, I'll see if I might have something as its local but I do know in eastbourne / polegate area (which you may already know) there were airships and local aircraft manufacturers where pilots trained for ww1. No mention of sopwith here though. Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Denham Posted 27 February , 2004 Share Posted 27 February , 2004 There is no mention of any such factory in 'Sopwith Aircraft 1912-1920' (H.F.King - Putnam). Possibly a firm undertaking repairs etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorts Posted 27 February , 2004 Share Posted 27 February , 2004 Hi, A friend of an ex-girlfriend, knowing my interest in military things, showed me a wonderful photo album compiled by his father. He was an Officer's Servant in the RNAS, and the album included over 100 photos of aircrew (including both Samsons and gallantry medal recipients), casualties, aircraft and bases. I distinctly recall eastbourne as being mentioned in several of the photos as the location where the frame was shot. A number of the aircraft were being reapired when the shots were taken, so this backs up Ryan's comments. Regards, Alex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salientpoints Posted 27 February , 2004 Share Posted 27 February , 2004 Hi Tom, I have looked in my local history books, nothing in these credits Lewes with any aircraft manufacture. There was also a RNAS seaplane base at Newhaven Bognor aswell as Eastbourne (RNAS St. Anthony's) is credited with production & training. If I find anything more I'll come back to you. Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Morgan Posted 27 February , 2004 Author Share Posted 27 February , 2004 Ryan, Alex, Terry - thanks very much for the information. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pete Wood Posted 27 February , 2004 Share Posted 27 February , 2004 Tom, the head office for Sopwith (at this time) was in Kingston-Upon-Thames. What makes you think that there was aircraft production in the Lewes area (I'm sure, as Terry suggests, that parts were being made/assembled all over the country)...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Maier Posted 27 February , 2004 Share Posted 27 February , 2004 Try the Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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