Spitfire Birthplace

[EchoTango]

In 1966 I visited an IBM research facility in the UK.

I travelled by train more or less south for an hour to get to a "stately home" which was reputed to be the birthplace of the Spitfire.

It had obvious Spitfire memorabilia in the foyer.

I need confirmation confirmation of

The name of that place

If IBM gave it a different name, then the IBM name

ET

This is a worry. I meant to say ... more or less south from London ....

[This message has been edited by EchoTango (edited 05 December 2000).]

[Arkroyal]

Supermarine were based at Woolston, on Southampton water, and the spitfire made its first flight from Eastleigh, now Southampton Airport.

Its about an hour south of London by train, so it's a fair bet its in that neck of the woods.

edited due further research.

From the IBM website:

<A HREF="http://www.hursley.ibm.com/HampshireMaps/directions" TARGET="_blank">http://www.hursley.ibm.com/HampshireMaps/directions</A>

Seems likely thats the place you seek.

[This message has been edited by Arkroyal (edited 05 December 2000).]

[Mycroft]

Yes, it probably was Hursley, near Winchester; still an IBM site (it was involved with PS2 design but is now software/education). When the Supermarine factory was dispersed in 1940/41, Hursley was used for design work, principally PR marks.

[EchoTango]

Doctor ArkRoyal, Doctor Mycroft

Thank you. Thank you. I am so relieved.

I am not suffering from alcoholism or Altzheimers (at least not yet). That is what I had said, but my unkind colleague said otherwise.

[Arkroyal]

My pleasure ET.

How's the flooding?