The team behind the flying of the replica of the UK’s first successful seaplane are holding an exhibition of artwork by local schoolchildren.
In celebration of Waterbird’s latest flight over Windermere in May, local schools were invited to submit entries for an art contest, Flying Yesterday and Tomorrow.
The competition was arranged by aviation author, Anne Hughes, a trustee of Lakes Flying Company, the charity behind the Waterbird project.
More than 100 entries were submitted to the art competition by pupils from five schools.
A representative of The Guild of Aviation Artists did the final judging and prizes of art materials and certificates were awarded to all schools.
Now an exhibition of the children’s aviation art is to be held at Windermere Public Library on Friday September 22 and Saturday September 23, along with information about the Waterbird project.
There will also be artwork by Katie Hounsome, used in promotion of the Waterbird events, and representations of the original Waterbird by Phil Hadley, from the Guild of Aviation Artists.
Chairman of LFC trustees, Ian Gee, said: “We are keen to promote to young people the history and technology of Waterbird.
“Art is a good way of developing their interest and allow them to use their imagination to depict aviation of the past, present and future.”
The Lakes Flying Company plans to continue working with the local schools for further art competitions, including a Christmas card competition later this year, and also plans an Aviation Activities Day next spring at the Marchesi Centre in Windermere.
The original Waterbird, using a step float patented by Captain Edward Wakefield, was the first hydro-aeroplane to make a successful flight in Britain.
It took off from a hangar at Hill of Oaks, Windermere, on November 25, 1911. It was written off by a hangar collapse the following year.
The replica based on drawings found in 2008 took 14 years to complete and is made of the same materials as the original.
The project has won several national awards from the aviation heritage world.
Ian and Anne also collaborated on a book Waterbird – Wings over Windermere, which tells the two stories: the history of the original plane and how the replica was made and flown.
