X-Nico

2 unusual facts about Isle of Grain


Isle of Grain

In earlier times the incidence of marsh fever (Malaria) was extremely high.

These proposals, called the Thames Hub Airport, would combine airport, flood protection and energy generation.


Allhallows, Kent

In the 1930s, the Southern Railway, in an attempt to develop the area around the estuary as a holiday resort, opened a short branch from the Hundred of Hoo Railway branch line to Grain.

Blackburn G.P.

After initial trials the first aircraft was moved to the Marine Aircraft Experimental Station on the Isle of Grain and moored out in rough seas in a destructive test of mooring performance.

Chalk, Kent

Current issues relating to the immediate environment around Chalk include a proposed new Lower Thames Crossing through Shorne Wood Country Park and across the estuary marshes at Chalk, being reconsidered in 2013, and a new Thames Estuary Airport resulting in low flying aircraft over the village from the Isle of Grain.

Geoff Wiles

He joined the local branch of the Youth Hostels Association and rode with enthusiasts there until a colleague at work at the BP refinery on the Isle of Grain in Kent, south-east England, persuaded him to join the Medway Road Club.

Port Victoria Grain Griffin

After its return from France, the prototype B.1 (serial no. N.50), was sent to the RNAS Marine Experimental Depot at Port Victoria on the Isle of Grain for conversion to a two-seat reconnaissance aircraft, to be fitted with folding wings for operation from the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers.

Short Springbok

The first of these S.3a Springbok IIs (numbered J7925-J7927) was flown by Shorts' Chief Test Pilot J. Lankester Parker at the Isle of Grain on 25 March 1925.


see also

Port Victoria Marine Experimental Aircraft Depot

As there was already a RNAS seaplane base on the Isle of Grain, the Depot was named Port Victoria, after the nearby railway station.

Thames Hub

Thames Hub Airport, a proposal for a new platform-based hub airport on the Isle of Grain