RFC Bembridge (Seaplane)

The Royal Flying Core (RFC) established a seaplane facility on the coastal side of Bembridge Point in 1915. The newly established 412 and 413 Flights were flown by four Short 184 aircraft. Short Brothers created the Short Type 184, a British two-seat reconnaissance, bombing, and torpedo carrying folding seaplane.

By 1918, the squadron had grown to twelve aircraft after absorbing several seaplanes from the 253 (Niazm of Hyderabad’s) Squadron, such as the Hamble Babies and Campanias.The entire structure crumbled at the end of World War I. By May 31, 1919, 253 had been dissolved, as the marine facility had steadily declined in importance, eventually closing as an operational base around 1919 and being disposed of during 1920.

The aircraft hangar was later demolished and sold to the private sector, where it became part of the Summerland Amusement Arcade on Shanklin’s seashore.