Airframe Assemblies is a company on Sandown Airport which restores classic aircraft. They focus mainly on Spitfires though when we visited, they had a pair of Hawker Tempest wings and a Focke Wulf 189 (look it up) tail as well as three Spitfires in work. When I say ‘restore’ that largely means ‘build’ given the condition of surviving parts. The craftsmanship on display is amazing – and continuing. The company takes on one apprentice at a time for three-years’ training’ This being the Island there are some eccentricities. Sandown is the only active airport I know with a footpath across the runway. Luckily, we didn’t force anyone to abort a landing. It would have been embarrassing to meet them in the bar afterward. Speaking of the bar, it doubles as air traffic control.
After Airframe Assemblies and an excellent lunch we moved on to the Isle of Wight Aviation Museum. It’s hard to miss the full-size replica of a Black Arrow rocket as you drive in but the museum has a lot more information about the early British space industry. It also serves as a reminder of the Island’s involvement in pioneering developments from string-and-hope aircraft to flying boats (including the amazing double-decker Saunders Roe Princess), helicopters and hovercraft.
Those of us following local news will know that production of the Britten-Norman Islander has returned to Bembridge. Originally certified in 1967 the aircraft has been in continuous production since.
Our thanks to Nick for coming up with a splendid idea for what was threatening to be a fallow September. For future attractions please see our Events page.