We’ve had an amazing response to the petition: 46,216 signatures at the time of writing this - on the 81st anniversary of the bombing of the Supermarine Works in Southampton.

We’ve yet to establish a definite date for its construction but more information is coming to light all the time about the Flight Shed’s use over the years.

For 60 years, from 1953 to 2013, the Ford Motor Company made Transit vans in the former Cunliffe Owen Aircraft factory and we know they used and maintained the Flight Shed building that was next to it.

Even when production stopped, Ford continued to use the Flight Shed building as a Car Conditioning Centre until December 2019. We’re contacting some of these former Ford staff who were working there until less than two years ago as well as Supermarine staff who remember it from the late 40s and early 50s!

The best of the information will be collated and presented to the Southampton City Council Planning Meeting next month.

It has been great to hear so many supportive comments on the petition and to have been approached directly by several key individuals who want to help us see a successful outcome to this protest.

Former Ford worker Gary Appleton has got in touch and donated his copy of the painting of the original Cunliffe Owen Aircraft Factory which once hung in the Plant Manager’s office. The Supermarine Flight shed is clearly visible beyond the main factory, standing where it has been for over 80 years.

The photos show Gary holding the framed print of the original factory, a close up of the painting itself and an aerial photo commissioned by Gary in 2000 with the Flight Shed circled. The photo of the Supermarine workers and several Spitfires just outside the Flight Shed was taken for a Flight Magazine article: “Spitfires for the Squadrons” published on 9th February, 1939. (Photo from heritageflightsim.com)

Please keep sharing  –  not far till we reach 50,000!