Wings on Windermere – The History of the Lake District’s forgotten flying boat factory

Author: Allan King
Published: Mushroom Model Publications www.mmpbooks.biz
Price: £24.99 (£27.50 with postage, UK)
White Series No 9105
160 pages profusely illustrated throughout, mainly black and white images plus colour profiles of Short Sunderland aircraft

I have to say that I for one hadn’t realised the fact that there was once a huge flying boat factory on the shores of Lake Windermere – how extraordinary! Short Sunderland aircraft were produced there in quantity during WWII, needing to be beyond the range of most intruders. This book is absolutely absorbing and an excellent read. I was a little sceptical when I first saw this new text, but I can promise the reader a fascinating insight into the logistical problems that faced everyone concerned before, during and after WWII.

Perhaps what is also so interesting is that Lake Windermere was the birthplace of British maritime aviation. When few had even seen an aeroplane and every flight was newsworthy enough to be reported in the journals of the day, a small group of pioneers turned to Windermere as a testing ground for the first flight from water in Britain.

This book then traces the whole story and is an impressive text in every sense of the word, for which the author, Allan King can be justly proud.

For scale modellers?
Well I think so – absolutely. From the profiles to the unique images it contains this book will be attractive to all those interested in RAF and maritime aviation. Lots of Sunderland aircraft under construction and some close up images will reveal good detail for scale modellers.

Verdict: Highly recommended.