X-Nico

6 unusual facts about Society of British Aerospace Companies


Beagle Airedale

A single Airedale, the prototype (registration G-ARKE) was refitted with a Rolls-Royce-built Continental GO-300 so that it could be part of the SBAC Display at the 1961 Farnborough Airshow, as the standard Airedale was not eligible on account of its US-built engine.

Blackburn Firecrest

The Blackburn B-48 Firecrest, given the SBAC designation YA.1, was a single-engine naval strike fighter built by Blackburn Aircraft.

Fairey FB-1 Gyrodyne

The second prototype, basically similar to the first but with more comfortable interior furnishings befitting its role as a passenger demonstrator, was flying by the time of the next SBAC Display, in September 1948, at Farnborough.

Farnborough International Airshow Radio

The station is overseen by Farnborough International Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of British aerospace industry's body the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC).

Short Scion

The first production aircraft (G-ACUV) was flown at the SBAC's airshow at Hendon in 1934.

Short Sturgeon

Two prototypes ordered with the first flying on 12 August 1950 and then demonstrated at the 1950 Society of British Aerospace Companies' (SBAC) Farnborough Airshow; the second example was completed but never flown.


Cunliffe-Owen Concordia

A second aircraft G-AKBE was displayed at the 1947 SBAC Show at Radlett and made an extensive European sales tour.


see also