Saunders-Roe, Beaumaris, North Wales - March 2009
The name was adopted in 1929 after Alliot Verdon Roe (see Avro) and John Lord took an interest in the boat-builders S.E. Saunders.
Prior to this (excepting for the Sopwith/Saunders Bat Boat) the products were Saunders, the A4 Medina for example dating from 1926. Details can be found in the hardcover "A Solent Flight" by Ivor J. Hilliker.
Saunders Roe, commonly abbreviated Saro, concentrated on producing flying-boats, but none were produced in very large quantities..
(the longest run being 31 Londons).
They also produced hulls for the Blackburn Bluebird.
During the Second World War Saro manufactured Supermarine Walrus and Supermarine Sea Otters.
Their works at Beaumaris, Anglesey, modified and serviced Catalinas for the Royal Air Force.
In 1952 they flew the prototype Princess, but the age of the flying-boat was over.
The two further aircraft were completed but not flown.
No further new seaplanes were produced here.
Modification work on Short-built flying boats continued at Cowes until 1955."
"Laird (Anglesey) Ltd was formed in 1968 and incorporated the Beaumaris and Llangefni factories of Saunders-Roe and the engineering business of Birkenhead shipbuilders Cammell Laird. Laird developed the Centaur, which was half Land Rover and half light tank.
The company was last known as FAUN Municipal Vehicles Ltd, having been taken over yet again."
The Pics
The name was adopted in 1929 after Alliot Verdon Roe (see Avro) and John Lord took an interest in the boat-builders S.E. Saunders.
Prior to this (excepting for the Sopwith/Saunders Bat Boat) the products were Saunders, the A4 Medina for example dating from 1926. Details can be found in the hardcover "A Solent Flight" by Ivor J. Hilliker.
Saunders Roe, commonly abbreviated Saro, concentrated on producing flying-boats, but none were produced in very large quantities..
(the longest run being 31 Londons).
They also produced hulls for the Blackburn Bluebird.
During the Second World War Saro manufactured Supermarine Walrus and Supermarine Sea Otters.
Their works at Beaumaris, Anglesey, modified and serviced Catalinas for the Royal Air Force.
In 1952 they flew the prototype Princess, but the age of the flying-boat was over.
The two further aircraft were completed but not flown.
No further new seaplanes were produced here.
Modification work on Short-built flying boats continued at Cowes until 1955."
"Laird (Anglesey) Ltd was formed in 1968 and incorporated the Beaumaris and Llangefni factories of Saunders-Roe and the engineering business of Birkenhead shipbuilders Cammell Laird. Laird developed the Centaur, which was half Land Rover and half light tank.
The company was last known as FAUN Municipal Vehicles Ltd, having been taken over yet again."
The Pics
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