Felixstowe joins quest to uncover history of flying boats

It was back in February that Lieutenant Commander Philip Boak first put out a plea for anyone who remembered the flying boats kept at Felixstowe Ferry to come forward.  

For anyone unfamiliar with them, a flying boat is exactly as you might expect – these were aircrafts which could land and sail on water.  

Between the World Wars, Felixstowe was used as the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment.  

Here, flying boats would be tested and evaluated before they could be used by the Royal Air Force.  

Flying boats were mostly used in reconnaissance exercises, and would be flown over the sea, scanning the water for surface ships and U-boats. 

Mr Boak has made it his mission to trace what happened to the flying boats stationed at Felixstowe after 1945, when they were no longer needed. 

Over the summer, Mr Boak met with several people who reached out after reading about his efforts to learn more. 

• READ MORE: How much do you know about these former Suffolk RAF airbases?

Martin Vince lived in the Supermarine Southampton flying boat as a young man during the late 1950s. His parents had owned the vessel (affectionately known as ‘the Kyte’) after purchasing it for the princely sum of £160 in 1951. 

Martin Vince lived in the Supermarine Southampton flying boat during the late 1950s. Image: Martin Vince collection (Image: Martin Vince collection)Martin Vince pictured with Philip Boak during their meeting over the summer. Image: Philip Boak (Image: Philip Boak)

One of the most bizarre accounts Mr Boak has heard was the case of this Felixstowe F5 nose, which was repurposed as a potting shed in Seaton Road. Credit: Philip Boak One of the most bizarre accounts Mr Boak has heard was the case of this flying boat, which was of this Felixstowe F5 nose, which was repurposed as a potting shed in Seaton Road. Credit: Philip Boak (Image: Philip Boak)

Philip Boak remembers spending many a happy summer in Felixstowe with his grandparents, who used to own the chocolate shop and café on Hamilton Road, Bonnets. Picture: Philip Boak (Image: Philip Boak)

Two years later, the Great Flood of 1953 hit East Anglia, and the Southampton was flooded and nearly wrecked.  

The family carefully cleaned the cast amounts of mud from the Southampton to make it habitable once more, and it was sold to a Mr Keith Coombs around 1959 for £70. 

In 1967, the aircraft was purchased by the RAF Museum and is now on display at Hendon. 

The Felixstowe F5 nose restored at Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum. Picture: Philip Boak (Image: Philip Boak)

The Vickers Valentia flying boat. Credit: Philip Boak (Image: Philip Boak)The Vickers Valentia flying boat repurposed as a houseboat. Credit: Philip Boak (Image: Philip Boak)

Ray Wade lived just down the road from the garden in Seaton Road where the Felixstowe F5 nose had been preserved.

In later years, he oversaw a fire crew load it onto a truck, and it was taken to the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum for preservation. A brand-new JCB had been brought in to assist, but six firemen proved more than adequate for the task of moving the F5 nose. 

Meanwhile, Dave King remembered family holidays at Felixstowe Ferry in the 1940s as a child and believes he may have stayed in the Supermarine Southampton.

He also has a distinct memory during the wartime years of a V1 ‘Doodlebug’ flying bomb passing overhead. His father grabbed him and ran for the nearest cover as the flying bomb continued its path, later exploding near the vicinity of Hadleigh. 

Felix Newson also met with Mr Boak. Having been born and raised at the ferry, Mr Boak said he was a “real mine of knowledge”, and instrumental in bringing the stories of the ferry to life. 

L-R: Dave King, Ray Wade and Felix Newson at Felixstowe Ferry, during their meeting with Philip Boak in August. Image: Philip Boak (Image: Philip Boak)

 Mr Boak’s final meeting before he returned to the navy was with Ron Abbott, who now lives in Ipswich.  

He said: “I remember seeing Sunderland’s on the Orwell around 1946 – there were only Sunderlands left at that time. There were still lots of Navy ships present, I distinctly remember counting 18 or so Destroyers one day.  

“There were lots of fish to be had off the piers. I believe it was from the Navy ships throwing all the waste food overboard and attracting all the fish. We would catch all types, trying to get cod, but might get flatfish or dabs instead. After the days fishing, we would leave the rods in an air raid type building at the end of the piers. The rods would always be totally safe from theft. 

 I was only 8 to 11 at the time (I was born in 1941). I went fishing with my older brother and local friends. We aways took the Eastern Counties Bus from Ipswich to go fishing. Once I left the bait on the bus and we couldn’t go fishing. I was none-too-popular with the lads that day!” 

The Fairey Atalanta, which in 1923 was the world's largest flying boat. Credit: Philip Boak (Image: Philip Boak)The Fairey Atalanta at Felixstowe. Credit: Philip Boak (Image: Philip Boak)

Mr Boak is still eager to hear from anyone who remembers the flying boats, particularly the Fairey Atalanta, which first took to the skies in 1923. At the time, the Atalanta was the world’s largest flying boat with a wingspan of 139 feet. It was later converted into a houseboat. 

Do you remember the flyinboats? Contact Philip Boak at: swordfish200@aol.com