Short brothers. Seaplane Works !

[pete.mason]

I'm told that wings for the other (airfield) factory Stirling wings were lorried in over Rochester bridge. I particularly curious about what other local factories supplied Shorts.

According to an elderly neighbour of ours in the 1970s Reeds at Aylesford was a shadow factory producing fabric covered ailerons and rudders. She had worked there as a machinist

[castle261]

Very interesting, your two reports today. Interesting about Troutbeck Bridge.
I must have been about twelve, when we went by train, through the night.
I remember nothing about the housing estate, only the Sunderland on the lake.
My brother trained at Shorts Rochester. His `mate`at Windermere, he married her.
I have photo`s of the Maia & Mercury that I made out of old tins, while in the Dockyard.
I may be able to put them in the `Avatar ` section. ( cant do them any other way )

[Dave Smith]

[Dave Smith]

[castle261]

When we went to Jersey in May 1958 we visited the `Underground Hospital ` it was a shell then.
I have seen news reel of it now - it`s a money spinner.
We approached the entrance of the tunnel, it was deadly cold, we could have done with a jumper.

[Medway Born and Bred]

[castle261]

Bigger than I thought --- and I worked there --- I did not know of their existance.
I would think some one like - Medway Council - should put it on their agenda to
re-store it - for future generations - to come & see- ( like Jersey i.o.w. did )

[Smiffy]

Tunnel exploration from a couple of years ago...

[AlanTH]

30 quid to walk round a few mouldy old tunnels! I did that for nothing many years ago whilst an apprentice at Blaw Knox although of course we got in them despite the obstacles like shuttering to stop us doing it.
I doubt we saw the whole system though, just the parts out the back our factory and Burnett and Rolfe, Berry Ede and White etc.
AlanH.

[castle261]

Both photo`s returned today......

[epsom]

[castle261]

2 Photos from Smiffy, have been removed, from my computer ---- copyright --- ( one still there ? )

[castle261]

Very, very, interesting -- Dave Smith --- I have only just read your latest comments.
They are very detailed, thank you for that. As a boy of 14, my eyes sort out the finish Sunderlands.     I was not sure about the shops between No 3 shop and  No 17 shop, as my work probably, would
not take me into these shops, very often.


Cant vouch for those Sunderland`s being on No 18 slip -- Smiffy

[epsom]

[AlanTH]

Hi Dave Smith (and others of course).
My Dad worked in No.18 shop during those years you were there I'm sure. I vaguely remember him going on to work at Guildford Surrey when Shorts closed down in Rochester.
He died in 1952 (smoking diseases) and was very badly treated by Shorts with his pension entitlements.
I believe the last remnants of Shorts have now gone after Bombadier their last owner in Belfast recently sold off their assets their due to various problems.
AlanTh.

PS. I really must hunt down that pic I have of him and his fellow workers and psot it here.