East
Works
(Watch a Video at the end
of the article)
East Works was a Shadow Factory and work on the building started in
1936. It produced Stirling & Lancaster Bombers in kit-form, but
also produced complete Fairey Battle and Hurricane aircraft that
took off from the works airfield. Click here for more
info
It had many roles after the War, Truck production along with Austin
Champ, Austin Gipsy. Its main role in the late 50s was the
production of the engines and gearboxes (A series) for the
front-wheel range of cars. At the height of production in the mid
60s weekly production was running at 15,000
units.
Its next major change was the production of the all new 'K' series
engine.
'K' series production line off
to China
Click on the Play Button to see a Video
Cofton Factory
This was built to produce
the 'E' series engine, on a green field site next to East Works.
When the engine was discontinued, the factory produced Mini
suspensions and also the R65 gearbox.
Canteen