Reports

Ian Gee "Wings over Windermere" 20th September 23

Ian Gee has been closely involved with the ‘Wings over Windermere’ project for many years. The Windermere ‘Waterbird’ is a faithful replica of the original hydro-aeroplane created by Edward Wakefield in 1911, only eight years after the Wright brothers made the world’s first successful engine-powered flight.

Wakefield’s innovative design was intended to reduce the risks of taking off from, and landing on hard surfaces, and Windermere was the ideal location for test flights. The first Waterbird was used in a variety of operations during Wrld War One, but was not universally popular – Beatrix Potter was a fierce opponent!

Ian outlined the lengthy process of assembling original drawings and turning them into a working replica, constructed with the same materials – wood and bamboo – with over 250 wires which had to be correctly tensioned to support the biplane’s wings. The replica made its first flight from the lake in September 2022, travelling at just 45 m.p.h. and a few hundred feet above the water. Ian is working with a team of enthusiasts to establish a Heritage Centre in the Windermere area, and has written a book about the project, ‘Wings over Windermere’.