Farnborough Air Show

Farnborough International Airshow 2008

14th to 20th July 2008

www.farnborough.com

Historic Moments at Farnborough

Farnborough Aerodrome is renowned for its long-standing aviation links. No other site in the United Kingdom, possibly the world, can claim a closer, more continuous association with the history of man's conquest of air than the airfield at Farnborough.

Aircraft and, before that, man-carrying kites, airships and balloons have taken from the grasslands since the early days of the century. Virtually every major development in aerospace technology since Orville Wright flew from Kitty Hawk in 1903 has, in some way, been linked with the pioneers who have researched on the airfield and in the clusters of laboratories and test centres that lay amongst the Farnborough runways.

• 1906
The first wind tunnel was built at Farnborough.

• 5 October 1907
The beginning of powered flight being associated with Farnborough. The British Army's new airship, the Nulli Secundus, set a new record for a non-rigid airship when it flew for over 50 miles in three hours and 20 minutes from Farnborough.

• 16 October 1908
Expatriate American Franklin Samuel Cody achieved what is now recognised as the first sustained powered flight in the UK. He started from just below the Black Sheds and travelled at 20 miles per hour for 1,390ft before the tip of the port wing hit a tree and the plane crashed. Cody was uninjured but the aircraft was badly damaged. He became the first true test pilot at Farnborough.

• 1 April 1911
The first Royal association with Farnborough. The site's Balloon Company was renamed "His Majesty's Aircraft Factory".

• 1912
The Royal Aircraft Factory (as the Balloon Factory was renamed) had grown to employ over 5,000, and was tasked with supporting the newly-formed Royal Flying Corps.

• 7 August 1913
Cody was killed when he crashed his 'Waterplane' in the northwestern corner of the current airfield site. The foundations were laid for a national reputation of aviation development and production.

• 1918
The Royal Aircraft Factory was renamed the Royal Aircraft Establishment to avoid confusion over the initials with the newly formed RAF. The RAE concentrated on aviation research.

• September 1940
Control of the airfield was transferred to the Ministry of Aircraft Production and the RAE's mandate was widened. Development of the Airfield was completed in 1941 and covered 800 acres.

• 1991
The name of the RAE was changed to the Defence Research Agency (DRA).

• 1995
The DRA's name was changed to its current title of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA).

• 2001
DERA split into two organisations, DSTL and QinetiQ Group plc. DSTL remains part of the MOD and continues to handle the most sensitive areas of research.

From the beginning – 1932 – 1974

• 1932 - Hendon (June 27th)
The first SBAC Display was at Hendon. Thirty aircraft from 13 constructors were on show plus six companies exhibiting their engines.

• 1933 - Hendon
Over 800 guests came to see 45 aircraft from 16 constructors with a further 39 companies in a static exhibition.

• 1934 - Hendon
More than 1,100 guests attended and saw the flying display in the morning.

• 1935 - Hendon
The last Show at Hendon. This was not a vintage year as no significant new aircraft or engines had come along.

• 1936 - Hatfield (de Havilland's Aerodrome)
The Exhibition had grown too large for Hendon and could not expand due to the encroaching built-up areas around the site. This year's event featured the Battle, Blenheim, Hampden, Hurricane, Lysander, Spitfire and Whitley.

• 1937 - Hatfield
This Show was the biggest and best so far and was extended to two days - the first dedicated to viewing the Static Display and the second for the Flying Display. Thirty-nine aircraft types were on view.

• 1938
The Show was cancelled due to the worsening political situation. There was no SBAC Display for nine years.

• 1946 - Radlett (Handley Page's airfield)
Although the success of this Show indicated how healthy and prosperous the Industry was, the location was not quite right. The site was the wrong shape, had a public footpath running through it, inadequate road approaches, and insufficient parking. The search was on.

• 1947 - Radlett
The Display was moved to September for the first time, where it has remained for 51 years, and was extended to three days with a fourth non-flying day for technicians. A new location had not been found as satisfying the criteria did not prove easy: reasonably close to London; away from main airport flightpaths; not a company airfield; good road and rail access; ample space for parking and spectators; the capability for expansion and development of the Show, etc.

• 1948 - Farnborough (Royal Aircraft Establishment airfield)
This was a Show of firsts: the first at Farnborough Aerodrome; the first that lasted a week; and the first that admitted the public. The Show had 187 exhibiting companies with 70 aircraft on display.

• 1962
The last of the annual Shows. From now on the Show was biennial.

• 1972
The Show became European.

• 1974
The Show became fully international with 31 foreign aircraft. Farnborough International was born.