February 1st and to another excellent attendance at our monthly meeting, Chris Turland gave an illustrated talk, "World War One Aircraft Production in Ipswich".
Christ described how Ransomes, Sims and Jeffries, as it was know in those days, played their part in producing aircraft and armaments during WW1. Some 790 aeroplanes were manufactured here. Mostly Royal Aircraft Factory BE2's. Armaments manufactured here included many shells and other ordnance. Other factories in East Anglia produced aircraft and parts for aircraft. These included Boulton and Paul at Norwich and Mann Egerton, both at Norwich and Ipswich. Tibbenhams in Ipswich produced mahogany propellers that all aircraft of that era used.
After the break Chris gave another illustrated talk featuring the aviation history of Felixstowe, which became home to the Marine Experimental Establishment.
Left - Aircraft production at Ransome, Sims and Jeffries during WW1