Researching the past while recording the present An informal group of aviation enthusiasts and historians have established the Society to organise and co-ordinate their activities in researching and recording Shropshire’s aviation past and present and making the results widely accessible. A key aim of the Society is to provide a focus and support for the widespread and growing interest in Shropshire’s aviation past and present. There is a growing recognition that the county’s major contribution, in both World Wars, to flying and other aviation training, as represented by their structures, should remain accessible through sensible and sensitive conservation ‘lest the memories fade’ . There is also much interest in civil aviation which awaits further research and publication, from early balloon, airship and glider flights to contributions to pioneering helicopter development, while present day activities range from historic aircraft restoration and hot air balloon manufacture to sport and commercial flying. The Society provides a forum and mutual resources, through its membership, for collective and individual research projects and the recording of current aviation activities within the county The outcomes can be made available more widely through a variety of media, determined by the subject and the breadth of interest. The Society is presently considering a wide range of projects including: A review of Shropshire’s military airfields to assess their present state and potential for conservation of buildings and other structures as inputs and updates to more detailed historical and current studies. Was Ernest Maund of Craven Arms the first British national to design, construct and fly a powered aircraft in Britain? Identification and description of all significant locations of aviation interest, past and present, within the historic and current county boundaries, keeping this up-to-date as an ongoing project and resource: significant’ will require clear definition. Did a missing Lancaster bomber disappear into a north Shropshire Moss or Mere? What contributions did Arthur Phillips of Market Drayton make to vertical powered flight in 1908 and later. So if you:are interested in researching Shropshire’s aviation history and making the results widely availablewould be interested in recording Shropshire aviation in all forms‘as it happens’ or can contribute information or memories of any aspect of past or present aviation in Shropshire or would enjoy being involved in these activities with other enthusiasts by joining the Society. Then please contact our Co-Ordinator John Wright. email [email protected].
