Hubert Scott-Paine was born in Shoreham in 1891. As a young man he developed an interest in aviation engineering and in 1913 he set up the Supermarine aviation works at Woolston with his close friend Noel Pemberton-Billing, with the intention of designing and manufacturing flying boats. When Pemberton-Billing left in 1916 to pursue a political career, Scott-Paine took over the running of the factory and engaged R. J. Mitchell as his assistant. After World War One, during which the company was involved in building military aircraft, they pioneered the building of flying boats for civilian passenger services. Scott-Paine also entered Mitchell-designed flying boats in three Schneider Trophy contests, winning in 1922.
In 1923 Scott-Paine sold Supermarine for the then massive sum of £192,000. In 1924 he helped create Imperial Airways, one of the first long-range air transport companies. It established services between Great Britain and the Empire, particularly South Africa and the Far East. In 1927 he established the British Power Boat Company at Hythe, where he developed high-speed craft for both military and civilian use. He broke the world water speed record in 1933. After World War Two he moved to the USA and became an American citizen. He settled in Greenwich, Connecticut and died there in 1954.
Scott-Paine, Hubert
Undated photograph.
Scott-Paine, Hubert×
see also
Further reading:
Familiar and Forgotten, by Southampton Art Gallery. (HS/t)
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