‘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.

‘The great tradition of innovation and successfully overcoming the severe and unique difficulties of operating aircraft on water all stemmed back to Waterbird and the pioneering designs and spirit that she represented.’ – Navy Wings.

‘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 in 1809, Lawrence Hargrave 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.’

’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.