Type

Monument

Title / Name

South Marston Aerodrome

Summary

A World War II aircraft factory and airfield.

AIRCRAFT FACTORY; AIRFIELD; ANTI AIRCRAFT GUN EMPLACEMENT, Second World War (1939 to 1945)

Source Detail: Priddle, R., 2003

Title: Wings Over Wiltshire: An Aeronautical History of Wiltshire

Summary: Publication Source ID: SWI22354

Description: A World War II aircraft factory and airfield was constructed early in 1940. A spur from the GWR Railway was cut to the factory site with a station, it was known locally as the 'Vickers Branch'. The first aircraft rolled-off the assembly line at the end of 1940. Vickers Armstrong took over production in September 1942. The site had a main Assembly Shop, a Machine Shop and Tool Room, which incorporated the Press and Process Shops. Other buildings comprised the Pattern shop, Paint shop, Main Offices, Drawing Office and a large canteen. The Flight shed was connected to the north end of the North/South runway by a taxi track and dispersals. A Watch Office with a cupola added post-war stood by the taxi track. The building of two runways commenced after 1940, laid out North/South and NE/SW. At a later both runways were extended. The long runway was tarmac covered and the short one was constructed in concrete. Twin Vickers anti-aircraft guns were installed, each emplacement comprised a pair of Allan Williams steel gun turrets, traversing on rings and connected by a tunnel. The ring remain in place by the bridge. The building of sheds for Stirling bomber assembly commenced in 1940. The Paint Shop was built by summer 1943 and it remains unused in 2004; and the other two pairs of sheds are used, one as a furniture storage. The former Drawing Office has been converted into modern offices. The South Marston continued with aircraft work until the mid 1980s. Private flying continued for a while.

Source Detail: The Environmental Dimension Partnership, 2007

Title: Honda, Swindon, Wiltshire

Summary: Desk-Based Assessment. Source ID: SWI25342

Additional Information: The Environmental Dimension Partnership

Source Detail: Slocombe, P., 2008

Title: A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Wiltshire

Summary: Gazetteer Source ID: SWI28692

Additional Information: Association for Industrial Archaeology

Description: 'Shadow' aircraft and airfield constructed in 1940. Vickers Ltd used the site from 1942 until about 1982. Then it was used by the Swindon Gliding Club until 1985 when it was sold for the development of South Marston Industrial Estate. The largest occupier is Honda Car Co. with the runway used for car tests.