Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment (MAEE) Helensburgh

The Air Ministry’s Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment (MAEE) was relocated from Folkestone to Helensburgh/Rhu early in World War II, during the period of the Phoney War of 1939/1940. Classified Top Secret at the time, the move north was motivated by the need to ensure the establishment did not attract the attentions of German spy planes or bombers. MAEE had been established at Folkstone since 1924.

MAEE was partnered with the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment (AFEE), which began life at Ringway (now Manchester airport) in 1940, and was also to move, first to Sherburn, near Leeds in 1943, then Beaulieu in 1945.

Little detail was known of MAEE’s activities, and no pictures were known of when we first learned of the establishment in 2005. However, we are grateful to the generosity of Robin Bird, who has given permission for us to include details and images from his book TOP SECRET WAR BIRD OF WORLD WAR TWO, which tells the story of of his father, Bob Bird, who was “A Government photographer taking top secret pictures of weapons to sink U-Boats and experiments by airborne forces preparing for the D-Day Invasion”.

Published as a memorial, Top Secret War Bird is no longer available, however Helensburgh Library has retained a copy for reference.

Information Appeal

Robin Bird is still seeking details regarding MAEE, and would be grateful for any information that may be available. He may be contacted directly by email at robinbird@lordbirdforth.wanadoo.co.uk

If you do not have email, you may also use our Contact Form to pass any details, or leave a comment below, and we will forward them on your behalf.