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Original Text (Annotation: EPW055296 / 496709)
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The distinctive saw-tooth roof ridges (with glazed skylights on the north facing slopes) of the 'Old Drill Hall' at 31 Townshend Terrace.
In 1912-13 this building was used by aviation pioneer R. L. Howard-Flanders as a factory to build his Flanders monoplanes.
In 1915 it was taken over by Mr. J. A. Whitehead, to found the Whitehead Aircraft Company. As the business expanded into adjoining properties, the original factory was repeatedly remodelled, as far as the footprint of the site allowed, and is referred to on the attached postcard issued by the company as 'the old works.'
In the 1920's it was used for manufacturing celluloid by Messrs. Greenhill & Sons Ltd.
The factory was severely damaged in the same fire in 1947 that and subsequently demolished. '