The Main Hanger Doors of GKN Westland Aerospace

Visitors arriving at East Cowes will find it hard not to notice the worlds largest Union Jack.  The flag was initially painted in 1977 on the main hanger doors of what is now known as GKN Westland Aerospace to mark the anniversary of the Queens jubilee.

This hanger is also world famous for many other reasons but one in particular was the roll out of the worlds first Hovercraft SRN 1 in 1959. The company in those days was known a 'Saunders Roe'  but soon to become (BHC) Brithish Howercraft Corporation. From the SRN 1 soon to follow was the SRN 4 followed by the streched version know as the Super 4 which began service in July 1968. Designed for ferry and passenger service across the English Channel, the craft can carry 30 cars and 250 passengers. These are still in service today.