NI Receives First Heritage Award

Northern Ireland has received its first ever Engineering Heritage award.

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IME) announced Northern Ireland would be the recipient of its 76th award in recognition of an experimental aircraft built in Belfast.

The award is given in recognition of significant engineering achievements.

The SC1 was constructed by Shorts and was the first British fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing aeroplane.

First flown in 1957, the aircraft can currently be viewed by the public at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in County Down.

The SC1 and its autostabiliser control system were developed at Shorts in Belfast.

It was a forerunner of the famous Harrier Jump Jet family. The techniques used in the design, construction and testing of the SC1 would be applied to the building of later aircraft.

Vertical take-off and landing crafts such as these were of particular value to the UK given their ability to operate without the need for airbases or runways.

They were also useful for operations on sea-based carriers.

The award was presented by Professor Isobel Pollock, President of IME to Dr Jim McGreevy, a Director at National Museums Northern Ireland.

Professor Pollock, who originally hails from Ballymoney, said:

Coming from Northern Ireland, I am particularly delighted to present this award – as this is the first ever Engineering Heritage Award for Northern Ireland.

"Engineering Heritage Awards recognise great engineering achievements, with previous winners including Tower Bridge, the E-Type Jaguar and the Falkirk Wheel."

She added: "The SC1 is an equally worthy recipient and a truly magnificent example of engineering which was integral to the research and development of vertical take-off and landing technology."

The SC1 provided the first British transition from vertical to horizontal flight and back again on 6 April 1960 and crossed the English Channel in May 1961.

(IT/GK)