Replica marks aircraft centenary

The triplane initially flew 900ft (274m) in July 1909

The 100th anniversary of the first all-British aeroplane has been marked with an exact replica in east London.

Sir Alliott Verdon-Roe built the Roe I Triplane in a workshop under railway arches at Walthamstow Marshes. He went on to build thousands of RAF aircraft.

His grandson, Eric Verdon-Roe, unveiled "as exact a replica as possible" at the same location.

Mr Verdon-Roe said: "Everything is designed to work and is as close to period as possible."

'Inspired'

He said his grandfather entered a Daily Mail aircraft design competition at Alexandra Palace in 1907, where he won first and second prize.

"That inspired him to really go on and start building aeroplanes," Mr Verdon-Roe said.

With an engine the size of a lawnmower, the Roe I Triplane flew 900ft (274m) in July 1909, when short hops were officially recognised as flights.

Sir Alliott, from Salford, Greater Manchester, was later recognised as the first Englishman to design, build and fly an all-British aeroplane. His previous biplane had a French engine.

Mr Verdon-Roe described the replica aircraft, built by ex-BAE Systems workers and the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, as "superb".

It went on display at Walthamstow Marshes, now part of Lee Valley Park, on Sunday.

The Historical Group of the Royal Aeronautical Society plans to take the replica plane on a short flight at RAF Woodvale near Southport later this year.