Classic Lecture: From Sopwith Aviation to Hawker Siddeley Aviation at Kingston by John Crampton

Summary: Hawker Siddeley Aviation executive Sqn Ldr John Crampton takes listeners through the aircraft and designers that made up the fascinating history of aircraft manufacturing at Kingston-upon-Thames. He begins with its origins in Sopwith Aviation and continues with the role of Hawker Siddeley Aviation to 1971, when this lecture was given. The talk includes audio recordings featuring several of the famous names involved, including Bill Humble and Philip Lucas. The lecture includes discussion of many Sopwith and Hawker types including the Pup, Cygnet, Hart, Typhoon, Hunter and Sea Hawk. The achievements of the firm in air races and aircraft export campaigns are also portrayed, culminating in the story of the Harrier which proved so successful in both. Sqn Ldr Crampton gave his lecture to a meeting organised by the Royal Aeronautical Society’s Historical Group on 19 January 1971. The recording was digitised thanks to a grant from the RAeS Foundation and the podcast was edited by Eur Ing Mike Stanberry FRAeS.