He found a railway arch on Walthamstow Marsh to use as a base for his flying experiments. It was close to the Tottenham base of JAP (J A Prestwich), the motor manufacturer whose engine powered his first flight.
Although his money was exhausted he managed to continue thanks to the financial support of his brother Humphrey. At the age of 32 (in July 1909) he became the first Britain to fly an all British machine in Britain. It was the birth of one of the great names in British aviation (AVRO) and the start of the British aerospace industry.
See also A V Roe on the marshes.
