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Aviation History
1955
1955 - 1024.PDF
136 FLIGHT FAMILY OF FAIREYS . . . ROTARY WINGS Gyrodyne Fairey's entry into the rotary-wing field was markedby the first flight of the Gyrodyne on December 7th, 1947. This was a high performance 4/5-seater, designed along novel lines, andon June 28th, 1948, flown by S/L. Basil Arkell, it established a helicopter speed record of 124.3 m.p.h. Powered with an AlvisLconides engine, the Gyrodyne had no anti-torque rotor, but instead a two-blade airscrew was mounted at the end of thestarboard stub-wing. This same screw enabled the machine to be flown as an Autogiro and, as the main blades were alwayswithin the auto-rotative pitch range, engine failure would not entail rapid action on the pilot's part. The first prototype wasdestroyed in an accident and the second was converted to the Jet Gyrodyne (see below). Rotor diameter of the Gyrodyne was52ft, empty weight 3,450 lb, gross weight 4,800 lb. yet Gyrodyne This conversion of the second Gyrodyne hasbeen built to investigate problems associated with tip-jet propul- sion. The original three-blade rotor has given place to a largetwo-blade structure, and the Leonides engine drives compressors which supply air through the hollow metal blades to Fairey pres-sure-jets at the tips. For cruising, the greater part of the power is transferred to two pusher airscrews at the tips of the stub wings.Rotodyne The Rotodyne is expected to offer "a direct trans- portation challenge to the Douglas Dakota." Two prototypes areunder construction and each will be powered by two Napier Elands. The single rotor will be of 90ft diameter and have four bladeswith Fairey pressure-jet units. The fixed wing will be of 47ft span, economical speed at least 150 m.p.h., and still-air range Jet Gyrodyne. Above, FJ).1. Model of Rotodyne. .- -.- about 250 nautical miles. It should be possible to maintain heightat maximum weight with one engine stopped. DELTAS FOR RESEARCH F.D.I This tiny delta, first flown at Boscombe Down on March12th, 1951, by G/C. R. Gordon Slade, was built to investigate the possibilities of V.T.O. fighters, though the F.D.I itself has aretractable-wheel undercarriage. Powered with a single Rolls- Royce Derwent engine, it has provision also for rocket power,though this has never been fitted. A tailplane is carried on top of the large fin; elevons and air brakes are mounted on the wing;there is a drogue parachute to reduce landing speed; and provi- sion for anti-spin parachutes at the wing-tips. An extremely highrate of roll is attained, due in part to the span of only 19ft 6|in. Length is 26ft. 3 in. On page 119 is a picture of the Fairey V.T.O.model, in all essentials a replica of the F.D.I. Power is supplied by two chambers of a Fairey Beta I liquid-fuel rocket unit.F.D.2 Another research delta, though differing sharply in layout from the F.D.l, this machine has no tailplane, has a fuselage ofextremely fine aerodynamic form, and is powered with a Rolls- Royce Avon turbojet with provision for reheat. Remarkable arethe hinged nose (by means of which the pilot is assured of a good forward view for take-off, landing and taxying) and the retractionof the wheels into the extremely thin wing. The F.D.2 is capable of high supersonic speeds and at the moment is almost ready tofly again after an emergency landing by its pilot, Mr. Peter Twiss, at Boscombe Down in October last year. '; Below, F.D.2.
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