As the aviation industry celebrates its centenary, Smiths Aerospace (Hall 2B H12-13) is showing its own slice of history by displaying a replica Boulton & Paul P6 using original Smiths' technology.
The aircraft, an exact copy of the 1917-vintage original, was used as a technology demonstrator and even made the first ever UK business flight.
"Smiths Aerospace has always been at the forefront of technology and I think displaying this aircraft shows this," said Dr. John Ferrie, president, Smiths Aerospace. "This aircraft comes from a time when Smiths was moving from being a watch maker into the aviation industry and it was put to good use by the sales team to demonstrate capabilities. The cockpit features Smiths equipment including the engine gauge."
Boulton and Paul's current guise is as part of Smiths' global actuation business. The aircraft is surrounded by the latest Smiths technology which is displayed in virtual reality around the stand.
"Though the aircraft is something from our past it shows that Smiths has always been forward looking for its time," said Dr. Ferrie. "The fact that it is surrounded by an array of cutting edge technology covering areas such as security shows we will continue to be forward looking in the future."
Source: Flight Daily News
