Hillington, Glasgow
Encyclopedia
Hillington is a residential suburb and an industrial estate on the southwestern edge of the Scottish
city of Glasgow
. Whilst the residential area is wholly within Glasgow, the greater part of the industrial estate falls under the jurisdiction of neighbouring Renfrew
, although for business purposes, the area uses a Glasgow postcode.
, the Shadow factory plan was managed by industrialist Herbert Austin
, with the aim to create nine new factories, and invest in enabling existing motor vehicle manufacturing plants to expand capacity and make the switch to aircraft production more easy.
Rolls-Royce
were key to the plan, and specifically production of their Merlin
engine. Having developed a new facility themselves in Crewe
, production director Ernest Hives was looking for a northern-based greenfield site with easy transport access, an available skilled workforce, and a local authority willing to build the required associated housing: Rolls had been let down in Crewe, and didn't want to repeat the experience. With its ready-built housing areas, easy access to the Glasgow to Paisley railway line
, and in need of commercial activity, Hillington proved an opportunity not to be missed.
The Air Ministry funded the factory construction, with the facility opening in 1937. The industrial estate was opened in 1938 by HRH Queen Elizabeth
, and was the first of its kind in Scotland. The first Merlin engines were produced two weeks before the start of World War II
. By 1943, output had reached 400 engines each week, with production peaking at 100 engines in one day, and 1,650 a month. By the end of the war, the plant had manufactured 23,500 new engines during the war, 14% of the total Merlin production worldwide.
engines as well as producing spare parts. Increased requirement for the Avon
turbojet for the Korean war
meant that it switched totally to fanjet production, and in 1965 became a specialist compressor component manufacturing facility.
The factory closed in October 2004, with all production moved to either the new facility at Inchinnan
, or the redeveloped East Kilbride
plant next to Glasgow International Airport
.
and Hillington West railway station
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
city of Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. Whilst the residential area is wholly within Glasgow, the greater part of the industrial estate falls under the jurisdiction of neighbouring Renfrew
Renfrew
-Local government:The town of Renfrew gave its name to a number of local government areas used at various times:*Renfrew a town to the west of Glasgow*Renfrewshire, the present unitary local council area in which Renfrew is situatated....
, although for business purposes, the area uses a Glasgow postcode.
World War II shadow factory
With the developing political situation in Europe in the mid-1930s, the British Government set up a plan to treble the output of the British aircraft industry. Under a plan managed by the Air MinistryAir Ministry
The Air Ministry was a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force, that existed from 1918 to 1964...
, the Shadow factory plan was managed by industrialist Herbert Austin
Herbert Austin
Herbert 'Pa' Austin, 1st Baron Austin KBE was an English automobile designer and builder who founded the Austin Motor Company.-Background and early life:...
, with the aim to create nine new factories, and invest in enabling existing motor vehicle manufacturing plants to expand capacity and make the switch to aircraft production more easy.
Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce Limited
Rolls-Royce Limited was a renowned British car and, from 1914 on, aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce on 15 March 1906 as the result of a partnership formed in 1904....
were key to the plan, and specifically production of their Merlin
Rolls-Royce Merlin
The Rolls-Royce Merlin is a British liquid-cooled, V-12, piston aero engine, of 27-litre capacity. Rolls-Royce Limited designed and built the engine which was initially known as the PV-12: the PV-12 became known as the Merlin following the company convention of naming its piston aero engines after...
engine. Having developed a new facility themselves in Crewe
Bentley Crewe
Bentley Crewe serves as the headquarters, design and manufacturing centre of Bentley Motors Limited, located on the outskirts of Crewe, Cheshire, England.-History:...
, production director Ernest Hives was looking for a northern-based greenfield site with easy transport access, an available skilled workforce, and a local authority willing to build the required associated housing: Rolls had been let down in Crewe, and didn't want to repeat the experience. With its ready-built housing areas, easy access to the Glasgow to Paisley railway line
Inverclyde Line
The Inverclyde Line is a railway line running from Glasgow Central station through Paisley and a series of stations to the south of the River Clyde and the Firth of Clyde, terminating at Gourock and Wemyss Bay, where it connects to Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services...
, and in need of commercial activity, Hillington proved an opportunity not to be missed.
The Air Ministry funded the factory construction, with the facility opening in 1937. The industrial estate was opened in 1938 by HRH Queen Elizabeth
Queen mother
Queen Mother is a title or position reserved for a widowed queen consort whose son or daughter from that marriage is the reigning monarch. The term has been used in English since at least 1577...
, and was the first of its kind in Scotland. The first Merlin engines were produced two weeks before the start of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. By 1943, output had reached 400 engines each week, with production peaking at 100 engines in one day, and 1,650 a month. By the end of the war, the plant had manufactured 23,500 new engines during the war, 14% of the total Merlin production worldwide.
Post war
Taken over by Rolls-Royce themselves directly on 1 April 1947, the factory initially repaired and overhauled both Merlin and GriffonRolls-Royce Griffon
The Rolls-Royce Griffon is a British 37-litre capacity, 60-degree V-12, liquid-cooled aero engine designed and built by Rolls-Royce Limited...
engines as well as producing spare parts. Increased requirement for the Avon
Rolls-Royce Avon
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopaedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9-External links:**** a 1955 Flight article on the development of the Avon...
turbojet for the Korean war
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
meant that it switched totally to fanjet production, and in 1965 became a specialist compressor component manufacturing facility.
The factory closed in October 2004, with all production moved to either the new facility at Inchinnan
Inchinnan
Inchinnan is a small village in Renfrewshire, Scotland. The village is located on the main A8 road between Renfrew and Greenock, just southeast of the town of Erskine.-History:...
, or the redeveloped East Kilbride
East Kilbride
East Kilbride is a large suburban town in the South Lanarkshire council area, in the West Central Lowlands of Scotland. Designated as Scotland's first new town in 1947, it forms part of the Greater Glasgow conurbation...
plant next to Glasgow International Airport
Glasgow International Airport
Glasgow International Airport is an international airport in Scotland, located west of Glasgow city centre, near the towns of Paisley and Renfrew in Renfrewshire...
.
Transport
The area is served by two railway stations, Hillington East railway stationHillington East railway station
Hillington East railway station is located in the Glasgow district of Hillington, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and is on the Inverclyde Line.- History :...
and Hillington West railway station
Hillington West railway station
Hillington West railway station is located in the Hillington district of Glasgow, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and is on the Inverclyde Line.- History :...
.