Rochester is today a flourishing general aviation aerodrome but it has a long and busy history. The land aerodrome was for many years linked with Short Brothers manufacturing and testing. In 1937 is was busy enough to have a control office and a flying control officer. On the Medway was a second Shorts facility, their flying boat works with an associated water aerodrome.
a second aerial view below for a more sinister purpose
and finally the water aerodrome
De Havilland D.H.61 Giant Moth G-CAJT is readied for trials on the slipway at Short Brothers’ Rochester works in May 1928. Hubert Broad is in the cockpit.
Short S.17 Kent flying boat G-ABFB “Sylvanus” at Rochester
Short R24/31 Knuckleduster, K3574
Short Kent
Short Shetland Mk1 and prototype DX166
Short S26 G class
Short S.8 Calcutta G-EBVG. Our marine aviation guru tells us that “This was the one Sir Alan Cobham used to survey routes to South Africa”.
Rochester 1930 Short Calcutta G-AATZ belonging to Imperial Airways.
Short S1 Satellite/Cockle G-EBKA
Short C Class “CANOPUS”, G-ADHL at Rochester
atchistory 