Poole Flying Boats Celebration, is set up as a Charity (No.1123274,) to progress the epic history of Flying Boats and Seaplanes when based here from 1939, with the arrival of Imperial Airways (IAL), and the onset of the war. During the period, until April 1948 when services returned to Southampton, Poole was the UK’s Flying Boat Hub for civil aviation with British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) which had been formed for 1st.January 1940. Recovering from WW2, the networks of Flying Boat routes extending from Poole reached across the world - with connections to the continents to usher in a final flourish of this fascinating branch of aeronautics and mode of travel.
Our emphasis is also upon Celebration, as we make contacts today with all those interested in this superb subject and we look forward to building upon these contacts, develop reciprocations/friendships and of cooperation. We seek to relate with others who share in our interests, and who promote understanding amongst the wider public of how significant Flying Boats, Seaplanes etc have been in the story of a Century of Flight and Transport in general. To explore the realm of the Flying Boats, is to learn more about a Golden Age of Travel, wartime exigencies - with austerity extending post-war well into peacetime: Leading to a final hurrah for BOAC's Flying Boats with its Solent Classes; and beyond Poole - the unfilled promise of the Princess Flying Boat; and Aquila's last throw of the dice.
The Flying Boats both civil and military ultimately had ‘their day’ - and with something of a memorable swansong. Yet, we all at Poole Flying Boats Celebration (PFBC) are determined that these will not be forgotten or overlooked. Their successes were outstanding, operation/service inspirational - in many ways an adventure of epic proportions: Heroism, courage and an engaging human spirit; a wealth of experience, knowledge, expertise and dedication to duty which transcended national boundaries to reach the farthest horizons possibly attainable at that the moment of history! Those left who recall this era readily share their experiences, so that there an air of great enthusiasm amongst the Authors, the Archivists, Charities, Associations and other organisations, the web wizards and all FB enthusiasts.
PFBC's Celebrations are orientated from Poole, as our links spread ever-outwards to reach out farther in gathering vital information with material, which might otherwise be lost forever, or left to fade in some undisturbed corner! We welcome interest from all quarters and we certainly endeavour to respond positively to all forms/types of enquiry.
PFBC is growing at a pace, with the formation of a strong section of PFBC Friends - as an ‘entity’ in its own right; providing support, making arrangements for Events, together with a circuit of PFBC presenters and guest speakers. Further, ensuring that the subject of Flying Boats/ Seaplanes is enjoyed as PFBC constructs an impressive Archive. Our public-access Archive is a key component in moving the organisation forward in marking its charitable remit, and to these ends it covers a mass of information which is then collated, with a wide spread of supporting material.
Our Charity is run and supported by a number of PFBC Charity Trustees.
One of the objectives of the Charity is to locate individuals, Captains/Navigators and others connected with Flying Boat services. To this end, we have created a number Honorary Life Members of the PFBC organisation.
We also have a number of other individuals who contribute or provide other valuable supporting roles within the organisation PFBC Charity Personnel.