First World War Aircraft Production

Clayton & Shuttleworth's initial entry in to aviation was in 1915 with a contract to make empennages (tail surfaces) for Admiralty Submarine Scout Airships.  These airships had a gondola underneath the balloon envelope that was a fuselage from a Be2 aircraft and the tail surfaces were attached to the balloon.

When the Company was awarded a contract for aircraft, they were fortunate to already have a building suitable for their manufacture in the form of the finished traction engine and thrashing machine store, known locally as the Titanic Works.  The building was 1000ft by 75ft with a gallery down both sides.  This building was used for the construction of Sopwith Triplane and Sopwith "Camel" Scout aircraft.

When the contract for Handley Page O/400 bombers was awarded, there was a need for a new factory to be constructed due to the size of these aircraft.  On land already owned by the company on the north bank of the river Witham, a new factory was constructed, National Aircraft Factory No.4, Monks Abbey, Lincoln.  This construction started at the end of October 1917, with the first completed aircraft coming of the line on in the middle of April 1918.  The O/400 and Vimy aircraft were flown off the field to the east of the factory.

[1] Manufactures of Clayton & Shuttleworth Ltd.  Defence, Offence.  No.3857

[2] A visit to the Stamp End Works, Lincoln by the Foreman's Mutual Benefit Society (Lincoln District)

[3]  http://www.airhistory.org.uk/rfc/aircraft.html 

[4] National Archives, Kew.   MUN4 6650 

[5]  Clayton & Shuttleworth and Marshall aircraft production, John Walls