‘The combined efforts of designers, aviators, ship and boat builders-turned aircraft manufacturers at Barrow-in-Furness and Windermere during 1908-1914 justify the area’s claim to be the birthplace of British naval and civil marine aviation.’

– Triplane to Typhoon by J H Longworth.

‘It was Captain Wakefield’s [Waterbird] which made the first successful flight in November 1911 and Windermere thus gave birth to the age of the seaplane.’

– The Great Age of Steam on Windermere by G H Pattinson.

‘Edward Wakefield’s ideas were scorned, but he never lost faith in the hydro-aeroplane, and Waterbird was a successful expression of that faith.’

– Historic Military Aircraft by J M Bruce.

‘I come of many generations of Westmorland men, and yield to no one in love for the scenery and loyalty to the interests of my country.’

– Extract from a letter from Edward Wakefield to The Times, 9 January 1912 in reply to Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley protesting against hydro-aeroplanes at Windermere.

Concerning flight from water, Edward Wakefield described it as ‘Something that beckoned…’.
– Aeromarine Origins by H F King.

By way of an introduction to the book Aeromarine Origins, H F King, MBE formerly editor of Flight magazine, chose 4 quotations. From Sir George Cayley [‘the father of aviation’] in 1809, Lawrence Hargrave [‘one of the great pioneers of aviation’] in 1902, Dayton Daily News in 1907 and from Edward Wakefield in 1912 when he described Waterbird: ‘… like a fine bird, between water and sky in the changing lights.’

‘Aviators, especially in the fledgling stage, are not down-hearted as a rule; in fact they are usually a lot of harum-scarum young devils, much addicted to high spirits and high-powered motorcycles. They live, move, and have their being in oil-besmeared clothes, astride of something over 7 horse-power.’ – At School in the Sky by Clifford Fleming-Williams, which ‘describes the training of the airmen who are learning to fly at Windermere’. – The Royal Magazine, January 1916.

‘The effort to create in replica form the Lakes Flying Company’s Waterbird, Britain’s first successful ‘hydro-aeroplane’, and to emulate the 1911 original in flying it from Windermere has been among the most enthralling on the UK’s aviation heritage scene in recent years.’

– Ben Dunnell, Editor of The Aeroplane magazine, June 2023.

‘Waterbird, the only flying replica of a primordial seaplane.’

– Seaplane Operations by Cesare Baj.

‘I have used the story of Waterbird as an example to us today in UK Defence. The belief that those developing it had must have been enormous in what was then only really a notion that aeroplanes would become so centrally important to warfare. At the time they must have fought through bureaucracy, secured funding and batted off the disbelievers. That is important to us now as we experiment with new technologies and grapple with the future!’

– Air Vice-Marshal Fin Monahan.

‘I’m incredibly proud to fly this delightful aircraft and be a part of the wonderful team who are showing the public a key part of UK naval aviation heritage and history.’

– Lt Cdr Chris Götke RN AFC.