Saunders and Saro Aircraft since 1917

Saunders-Roe, or Saro as it was generally known, is probably best remembered for its very large SR.45 Princess flying-boats. Not so well known is the fact that the company's origins go back more than 150 years, that it made major contributions to the design and construction of boats and marine aircraft hulls, was involved in rotating wing and rocket development, and played a major role in the development of the air cushion vehicle - the hovercraft.

As SE Saunders the company built seaplane floats and flying-boat hulls before the First World War and in 1917 completed the T. 1., the first aeroplane of its own design. After the war Saunders designed and built a number of different aircraft but none proved commercial successes.

Then, in 1928 Alliott Verdon Roe (founder of Avro) and John Lord acquired a controlling interest in the reorganised company which became Saunders-Roe. The Cutty Sark, Cloud and Windhover monoplane amphibians were then produced followed by London and Lerwick flying-boats for the Royal Air Force.

During the 1939-45 War Saro also built Walrus and Sea Otter amphibians. Among postwar products were the A/1 jet flying- boat, the Princess, SR.53 mixed-power aircraft, and numerous examples of the Skeeter helicopter.

Peter London traces the entire development of Saunders and Saunders-Roe aviation activity, gives details of all production, and reviews some unbuilt projects. Saunders-Roe took over production of Spartan aircraft in 1933 and details of all Spartan aeroplanes have been included in this work.

There are more than 250 photographs and numerous line drawings including aircraft general arrangements.