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Reaching a height of 150 feet, that pioneering flight was the start
of a fascinating journey that has seen the West of England become
one of the world’s leading centres of aerospace engineering
and technology.
The British & Colonial Aeroplane Company
and the Bristol Aeroplane Company Ltd, were registered on the
same day in 1910, but the business initially only traded under
the first name. Its aircraft were universally known as ‘Bristols’ and
the firm adopted the latter name in 1920, becoming just ‘the
BAC’ for generations of local people. Out of BAC came Bristol Cars Ltd, among many other business ventures.
BAC's engine department went on to become Bristol Siddeley and later merged with Rolls-Royce to form that company's Bristol division. BAC also contributed to the formation of the British Aircraft Corporation and can be linked to BritishAerospace (Filton), BAE Systems, Airbus and other aviation companies in the West of England.
In 2010 the centenary of the birth of aircraft
production in Filton offers
an opportunity to celebrate a century of innovation, risk-taking
and adventure, as well as to look to future challenges and aspirations
in aviation design, travel and the wider role of technology in
creating
prosperity and quality of life in the city-region.
In 2006 Brunel 200 celebrated the bicentenary
of the birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel with exhibitions, educational
programmes, publications, arts projects, competitions, debates
and talks. In 2010 how should we mark the 100th anniversary of
the birth of the aviation industry in the West of England which
has transformed our means of travel in ways Brunel could never
have imagined?
Please see the column opposite for current proposals
and how you can get involved.
This website will develop into an extensive resource
about BAC and the 2010 events. In the meantime visit the Aviation
Archive to find out more about this remarkable company.
The Bristol Aero Collection is on display at Kemble. For visitor
information, news of activities and links, visit the museum website.
Download the 2008 BAC 100 brochure here in PDF or Word format
for further details of the proposals to date. You may need Acrobat
Reader to open the PDF. Download here.
BAC 100 is a partnership initiative including:
Sponsors:
Funders:
Community and Heritage Partners:
Other Partners:
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Official launch event in February 2010.
Extensive website providing background information, news of what's on, online games and puzzles, film and audio clips, children's activity sheets.
Community play coordinated by acta performed at Bristol Old Vic in April.
Creative workshops for children in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
Resource packs for schools, including display material.
Children's street parade in early summer.
Major exhibition at Bristol's City Museum and Art Gallery from September to November.
Other exhibitions organised by local heritage groups.
New publications including a Book of Aviation Wonder featuring comic strips, puzzles, illustrated stories, and things to make and do.
A mass-reading project on an aviation theme.
Family days at Rolls-Royce and Airbus featuring vintage aircraft and vehicles.
Centenary dinner.
Multi-faith service of celebration at Bristol Cathedral.
Talks, debates and conferences.
Volunteering opportunities.
Engineering challenges and competitions.
Film shows.
Flight-themed activity at Bristol Zoo Gardens, At-Bristol and Ashton Court, among other sites.
(final programme subject to ongoing funding applications and sponsorship raising)
To be added to the BAC 100 mailing list
and to
contribute your suggestions please complete the registration
form.
We look forward to hearing from you.
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Education
For further details of the proposed education programme along with downloads of activity material follow this link.
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Photograph of Sir George White, courtesy
of Airbus. Photograph of the Bristol Flying School at Larkhill
by T L Fuller (c) J T Fuller. Mercury engine installation diagram,
courtesy of BAC/Rolls-Royce. Selection of old postcards from the collection of Jackie Sims. Photograph of A380 over Clifton Suspension Bridge courtesy of Airbus SAS 2006. Computer generated image of A350 XWB courtesy of Airbus. Artist's impressions of main exhibition by Simon Gurr. |
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