The Blackburn Aeroplane Company was founded by Robert
Blackburn, who had designed and built his first aircraft in
1909. Throughout the company's history the emphasis
was on the design and production of naval aircraft; its first
for the Royal Navy was the twin-engined GP seaplane of
1916. A similar landplane, the Kangaroo, was supplied to
the RAF in 1918. Aircraft to serve with the Navy include
the Baffin, Blackburn,
B-24 "Skua"
Buccaneer, Dart, Firebrand, Ripon,
Roc, Shark and Skua. In 1930 acquired Cirrus Hermes
Engineering Co. Blackburn Aircraft Company founded
1936. In 1949 merged with General Aircraft Ltd. of Feltham, Middlesex. Latter company founded 1934 and
produced such aircraft as Monospar twin-engined lightplane,
Cygnet and Owlet. Built pressurized version of
Monospar, which was first pressurized aircraft built in U.K..
Built Hotspur and Hamilcar gliders during Second World
War. New 1949 company known as Blackburn & General
Aircraft Ltd. Company name reverted to Blackburn Aircraft
Ltd. in 1959, when Blackburn & General became the holding
company. Became part of the Hawker-Siddeley Group
in 1960, losing its individual identity in 1963.
