Blue Plaques Commemorating Aviation Pioneers
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Blue Plaques Commemorating Aviation Pioneers
Travelling along Alexandra Road near the junction of Lynchford Road in Farnborough North Camp I was intrigued by this blue plaque installed on the front of a house by the Farnborough Society commemorating Geoffrey de Havilland who lived there 1910 – 1913. Doing a bit of research the Farnborough Society also arranged for a plaque to be installed commemorating Beatrice (Tilly) Shilling as having lived in a house in Ashley Road, Knellword Road, Farnborough.
The first I know of, but Beatrice was a complete mystery. However a little research shows she was quite a character e.g
“Beatrice Shilling is most known for her engineering ideas for the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine in 1940 fighter planes. When either the Spitfire or Hurricane would perform a nose dive the engine would cut out due to the flooding of the carburettor. Shilling innovated a small metal disk, similar to a washer, which would regulate the fuel flow, resulting in prevention of stalling. This invention was named the ‘RAE restrictor’, however while touring RAF bases and meeting various officers it soon got the nickname ‘Tilly’s orifice’, for various reasons other than it has a small puncture in the centre of the disk.”
More details here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrice_Shilling
The ‘Tilly’s Orifice’ I like (no laughter in the back please!).
I should add that Wetherspoons have named one of their Farnborough pubs after her ‘The Tilly Shilling’ in Victoria Road, Farnborough.
However, are there any other Blue Plaques installed to commemorate aviation pioneers that readers know of?
Some photos.
Alexandra Road' Farnborough
Outside Wetherspoons Pub, Farnborough
The Tilly Shilling in Victoria Road, Farnborough
The first I know of, but Beatrice was a complete mystery. However a little research shows she was quite a character e.g
“Beatrice Shilling is most known for her engineering ideas for the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine in 1940 fighter planes. When either the Spitfire or Hurricane would perform a nose dive the engine would cut out due to the flooding of the carburettor. Shilling innovated a small metal disk, similar to a washer, which would regulate the fuel flow, resulting in prevention of stalling. This invention was named the ‘RAE restrictor’, however while touring RAF bases and meeting various officers it soon got the nickname ‘Tilly’s orifice’, for various reasons other than it has a small puncture in the centre of the disk.”
More details here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrice_Shilling
The ‘Tilly’s Orifice’ I like (no laughter in the back please!).
I should add that Wetherspoons have named one of their Farnborough pubs after her ‘The Tilly Shilling’ in Victoria Road, Farnborough.
However, are there any other Blue Plaques installed to commemorate aviation pioneers that readers know of?
Some photos.
Alexandra Road' Farnborough
Outside Wetherspoons Pub, Farnborough
The Tilly Shilling in Victoria Road, Farnborough
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I think it was actually Miss Shilling's Orifice.
That's certainly what I've read in many books and publications, although there's no guarantee that they haven't all been repeated from the same, potentially unknown, source.
That's certainly what I've read in many books and publications, although there's no guarantee that they haven't all been repeated from the same, potentially unknown, source.
There was another blue plaque installed outside Sam Cody's house in Ash Vale, just across from the railway viaduct but I think it was removed some time ago; don't know why; haven't been there since before I retired in '08..
It's still visible on Google Streetview August 2021 imagery.
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https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/...yBP=&catBP=261
Scroll down a little.......
Finally one from Norwich:
Scroll down a little.......
Finally one from Norwich:
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/...yBP=&catBP=261
Scroll down a little.......
Finally one from Norwich:
Scroll down a little.......
Finally one from Norwich:
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There's a blue plaque on the Alverbank Hotel in Gosport to the memory of Major Robert Smith-Barry RFC. The dedication reads:- "Established a system of pilot training which is still in use now and developed the Gosport Tube for communications in aircraft". Apparently the house was used as the Officer's Mess for Grange airfield in WW!..
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Correct, postitioned next to the balloon hangar. It was formally unveiled by HRH Prince Michael of Kent on 10 February 2020.
Photos here: https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/abo...oklands-museum
Photos here: https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/abo...oklands-museum
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I was a bit miffed when BA moved it to their HQ so it wasn't on public display.
Also, why was there no "big do" 3 years ago to comemorate the first Atlantic crossing? I'll bet the Americans will celebrate the centenary of Charles Lindburg's crossing.
When I worked with Americans some years ago they hadn't heard of Alcock and Brown and thought the first crossing was by Lindburg.
I was a bit miffed when BA moved it to their HQ so it wasn't on public display.
Also, why was there no "big do" 3 years ago to comemorate the first Atlantic crossing? I'll bet the Americans will celebrate the centenary of Charles Lindburg's crossing.
When I worked with Americans some years ago they hadn't heard of Alcock and Brown and thought the first crossing was by Lindburg.
Also, why was there no "big do" 3 years ago to comemorate the first Atlantic crossing? I'll bet the Americans will celebrate the centenary of Charles Lindburg's crossing.
When I worked with Americans some years ago they hadn't heard of Alcock and Brown and thought the first crossing was by Lindburg.
Then it realised that it is the original - a bit the worse for wear, it looks like it's been over-enthusiastically sand-blasted.
By my reckoning, the statue must have clocked up nearly as many miles in its moves over the years as A&B did in their Vimy.
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Found another one.
Sir Alan Cobham,
Plaque address: 78 Denman Road, Peckham, London, SW15 5NR
Notability: Aviator and pioneer of in-flight refuelling
Date of birth: 1894 Date of death: 1973
Year plaque erected: 2003
Plaque erected by: English Heritage
Plaque address: 78 Denman Road, Peckham, London, SW15 5NR
Sir Alan Cobham,
Plaque address: 78 Denman Road, Peckham, London, SW15 5NR
Notability: Aviator and pioneer of in-flight refuelling
Date of birth: 1894 Date of death: 1973
Year plaque erected: 2003
Plaque erected by: English Heritage
Plaque address: 78 Denman Road, Peckham, London, SW15 5NR
