H. M. Balloon Factory
British Military Aeronautics
Also the location of:
- School of Ballooning ( -1908)
- H. M. Balloon Factory (1908-11)
- H. M. Aircraft Factory (1911-12)
- Royal Aircraft Factory (1912-18)
- Royal Aircraft Establishment (1918-88)
- Royal Aerospace Establishment (1988- )
1908 April 1st. School of Ballooning renamed as H. M. Balloon Factory.
1909 April. All aeroplane experiments were stopped after a report by the Committee of Imperial Defence on the future of aviation.
1909 May. The second experimental dirigible Baby was launched.
1909 August. The re-worked airship baby was re-launched as Beta
1909 August. The Balloon Factory was separated from the Balloon School.
1910 February. The airship Gamma was launched
- Colonel Capper continued as commander of the Balloon School
- Mervyn O'Gorman managed the Balloon Factory.
1910 A building for housing balloons was erected by Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Co in close proximity to the balloon factory at Cove Common, South Farnborough[1][2]
1911 April 1st. The Balloon School was renamed as the Air Battalion of the Corps of Royal Engineers.
1911 April 26th. H. M. Balloon Factory was renamed as H. M. Aircraft Factory