This is the story of Frederick Sage & Company of Walton, Peterborough who were established as shop fitters in London in 1860. They also feature in Ron Smith’s book reviewed above, as the Company moved its manufacturing base to Peterborough at the beginning of the twentieth century. They were approached by the Admiralty in the Spring of 1915 to make seaplanes, and eventually designed their own, none of which achieved great commercial success, as well as manufacturing Short 184s, Avro 504s and BE2s. Their first order was for ten Short 184s received on 28 October and completed by 17 November 1915. And this without any plans available. After the War ended they sensibly went back to shop fitting.

This is good local history, with many fine photographs.

A donation from each sale of the book will be made to the RAFA Wings Appeal.