Links & Acknowledgements

Of all the aircraft designed and built at Kingston perhaps the most celebrated was the Hawker Hurricane, designed by Sir Sydney Camm. Although the Spitfire is often portrayed as the aircraft that won the Battle of Britain it was in fact the Hurricane that destroyed more enemy aircraft than all other fighters and ground defences combined. The Harrier ‘jump jet’ amazed the world with its vertical take-off, distinguished itself in the Falklands Campaign in 1982, and was only retired from the RAF in 2011. Original designer of the Harrier, Ralph Hooper, is supporting the Aviation Centenary Project.

The Hawker Association, which is run entirely by volunteers, exists to keep alive the spirit and memories of the Hawker companies, publicise their achievements and encourage and facilitate the preservation and conservation of artefacts, papers, photographs, information and data relevant to the companies at the Brooklands Museum.

Brooklands and its volunteers have played an invaluable role in bringing the Kingston Aviation celebration to fruition. The Museum displays a wide range of Brooklands-related motoring and aviation exhibits ranging from giant racing cars, motorcycles and bicycles to an unparalleled collection of Hawker and Vickers/ BAC-built aircraft, including the First World War Sopwith Camel which will be on display throughout our Festival.

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 30,000 projects, allocating £4.7billion across the UK, with £868 million of that in London.

The Squadron can date its ancestry back to 1878 and the formation of a Royal Engineers Balloon Equipment Store, later No 1 Company of the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers, equipped with airships and balloons.

Number 1 Squadron was formed on 13^th May 1912 from No 1 Company RE as part of the newly established Royal Flying Corps, thus making it one of the oldest military flying squadrons in the world. 

The  battle honours it has since won reflect a rich history including the Western front 1914-18, Iraq 1921-26, Battle of France 1939-40, Battle of Britain 1940, Fortress Europe 1941-44, France and Germany 1944-45, the Falkland Islands 1982, Kosovo 1999 and Afghanistan 2009. The Squadron has operated some of the most iconic fighter aircraft in the world, including the Nieuport Scout, SE-5, Hawker Fury, Hurricane, Typhoon, Spitfire, Meteor, Hunter, Harrier the first and most successful VSTOL fighter in the history of military aviation and now the cutting edge Typhoon. 

Over the years the Squadron fought dog fights with the Red Baron and in the Battle of Britain, participated in the “D” day landings and in Operation Market Garden (“a bridge too far”), shot down doodlebugs, helped pioneer the jet age and played a vital role in the Falklands, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Among its ranks have been some of the most famous, colourful and decorated pilots and ground crew in the annals of air warfare. 

The objective of the Kingston Aviation Heritage Trust was to establish permanent visible commemoration of the historic achievements of Kingston’s Aviation industry between 1912 and 1992.

 This was to be achieved by the erection of a memorial to the four “Founding Fathers” (Sir T.O.M. Sopwith, Fred Sigrist, Harry Hawker and Sir Sydney Camm) and the workforce in general, by the mounting of plaques at significant sites, by the display of photographs, maps etc., in appropriate buildings to which the public have access and in such other ways as the Trustees may determine.

With grateful thanks to ModelZone who have shown support from the start of this project and have generously donated the majority of our competition prizes.