Britain’s first seaplane, Waterbird, has made its first public flight since Beatrix Potter complained of its “intolerable noise” a century ago.
Its take off at Windermere marks 28 years since any seaplane has flown at the Cumbria lake and 111 years since the original flew for the first time.
Children’s author Potter opposed the noisy test flights of the seaplanes near her home and was involved in a campaign to have them banned.
She said that "those who want noise go to Blackpool" and enlisted ramblers, schools and nurses to protest.
A trip to London's main "aviation ground" at Hendon was organised for the Cumbrians opposed to the trials so they could assess the noise of the planes.
Potter wrote from Hilltop, her home overlooking the lake: "I think I may speak as a seasoned judge of noise; I am accustomed to sleep soundly, with an open window, fronting a constant service of motor omnibuses.
“I consider the Hendon noise nothing 'out of the way', but the Windermere noise is intolerable.”
The campaign was overruled by the Government, including First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill, who regarded the test flights as vital to developing the nation's air forces.
Friday's event in the Lake District marks the climax of a 13-year-project to create an exact copy of the 35ft-long aircraft. Her original historic flight was on November 25 1911.
Apart from having a modern engine, it faithfully recreates the detail of the original and has been constructed from wood, bamboo and wires.
In June, display and test pilot Pete Kynsey took the replica on its maiden flight, at first attempt, in secret trials on Windermere.
On Friday it was repeated for public viewing in two demonstration flights.
Special permission was granted by the Lake District National Park Authority, including an exemption from the normal speed limits on the lake.
A crowd of 500 lined Rawlinson Nab and applauded as the plane, piloted by Mr Kynsey, lifted some 40ft above the water and reaching a speed of about 40mph.
Speaking ahead of the flights, Ian Gee, director of organisers Wings Over Windermere, said: "It's a thrilling opportunity to step back in history to the very earliest days of aviation when pioneers pushed the boundaries of what was possible through innovation and imagination.”
The ultimate aim of Wings Over Windermere is to display Waterbird in a heritage centre on the lake shore, where it is hoped that regular flights might be arranged.
