insideKENT Magazine Issue 31 - October 2014 | Page 11
NEWS
ROCHESTER BRIDGE TRUST GRANT RESTORES ICONIC SHORT
BROTHERS’ FLOATPLANE
In their heyday, the six-passenger
Scions flew pleasure trips from
Medway to Ramsgate and
Southend.
The G-AEZF was last seen flying at
White Waltham in 1963. The
Medway Aircraft Preservation
Society discovered remains of the
plane at Redhill Aerodrome and
brought it back to the county.
Once complete, the Scion
Floatplane will be an eye-catching
addition to redevelopment plans for
Rochester Airport, signifying the
importance of the airport to Medway
and beyond.
Russell Race, senior warden for the
Rochester Bridge Trust, said: “We
are delighted to support the
restoration of this historic aircraft
which has returned to Kent.
Russell Race, Senior Warden, for the Rochester Bridge Trust, and Rob Rogers, a MAPS volunteer,
examine the framework of the Scion Floatplane
“Short Brothers and their aircraft
are an important part of the county’s
heritage.
A rare Scion Floatplane built in Kent by Short Brothers – the aviation pioneers
– is being restored, thanks to the Rochester Bridge Trust.
The Trust, one of the oldest charities in the country, has presented Medway
Aircraft Preservation Society’s team of volunteers with a grant of £40,000
to bring the historic aircraft back to its former glory.
“The restored Scion Floatplane will
serve as a reminder of the great
contribution Shorts made to Kent,
and in particular Medway, and the
development of our county’s
reputation for engineering
excellence.”
The Scion Floatplane G-AEZF, one of only five of Shorts’ 22 Scions with
floats, was built in 1933. It saw service in the UK and Sierra Leone before
returning to Shorts at Rochester to be converted into a land plane.
Malcolm Moulton, chairman of
Medway Aircraft Preservation
Society, said: “Our members, who
hold the Queen’s Award for
Voluntary Service, are honoured to
receive this support.
“The five-year project will display to
the public this one remaining
example of the many seaplanes
and flying boats built on the River
Medway since 1913.”
The Rochester Bridge Trust,
founded at the end of the 14th
century, is responsible for providing
a crossing over the River Medway
between Rochester and Strood at
no cost to the public.
The Trust uses its original
endowments to support its current
three bridges, and local
conservation and engineering
projects.
Last year, following approval from
the charity commissioners, the Trust
also took responsibility for
distributing outstanding funds from
the now defunct Medway Heritage
Trust. These funds are now part of
the Trust’s longstanding community
support and grants programme.
www.rbt.org.uk
BOYS & MAUGHAN CONVEYANCERS NAMED AMONG
COUNTRY’S TOP 10
Local solicitors, Boys & Maughan, has been shortlisted in the prestigious
Law Society Excellence Awards. The firm, which has offices across Thanet
and in Canterbury, is one of 10 finalists in