Ken Wallis BBC One Show Tonight

Autogiro is the term trademarked by Cierva. Configuration (pusher as Buhl Autogiro or tractor as in C.30) is irrelevant.

Autogyro, gyroplane, gyrocopter, rotaplane, are all generic terms defining Autogiro-type aircraft.

“Autogyro” is an alternate spelling of “Autogiro” to avoid violating Cierva’s trademark.

“Gyroplane” appears very soon after after Cierva’s 1925 demonstrarton of the C.6 at Farnborough as will be verified by perusing official reports available at the UK National Archives.

“Gyrocopter” has been around for a long time and predates Bensen’s use. E.B. Wilford of rigid feathering rotor – equipped WRK gyroplane fame used the term in the 1940s.

“Rotaplane” was used by the Air Ministry to avoid appearance of favouritism towards any particular manufacturer, e.g. Cierva Autogiro, Hafner Gyroplane, Wilford Gyrocopter, etc.

Good point, the autogyro you can spin up the rotors while stood still on the ground?

The Wallis machines I worked on while at Beagle, had a rubber wheel driven by the engine which pressed into contact with a drum on the rotor head to spin up the rotor to about 90% flying speed prior to take off. Its primary purpose was, I believe, to enhance the short-field take off performance.

I dunno. A Ken Wallis/Little Nelly looking thing anyway. Should have thought that if it autorotates the blades, then it´s an autogyro?

Cierva named his invention ‘Autogiro’, spelt with an (i), and this he patented or trademarked or whatever you need to do to protect your intellectual rights
The rest of us had to make do with ‘Autogyro’.
There is a trend to call all of them ‘Gyroplanes’ and personally I can live with that, I don’t think it matters whether it is powered by a propeller (pusher or tractor) or jet thrust or even rocket!

What I hate, and here I’m just being a ‘Grumpy old man’, are the terms ‘Copter’ and worse still ‘Chopper’.

As they are powered by piston engines, perhaps they could be invited to “Flying Legends”

Unfortunately it wouldn’t be flown with Ken in control as he is not currently able to display. When I last spoke to him about this he was reluctant to spend time and money on something that would not be used to any great extent, a real shame.

Yes, have been thinking about this one, since I wrote my original remark. Autogyros have tractor mounted engines, prop pulls you through the air. Gyrocopters have pusher mounted engines, prop pushes you through the air. Agree with your comments pagen. Autogyro: British pre WWII term. Gyrocopter: American post WWII term.

Planemike

Ken, cool as a cucumber says, ”my dear, i’m a ex night bomber pilot”
You could have head a pin drop,…………………respect.

Paul
XS186 CREW

Marvellous!! :D:D:D

Looks like you’re basically right James, Gyrocopter was the name applied to the now familiar Bensons and Wallis’ types etc when they came out and have stuck since, the older type distinguished by their aircraft style fusalages & usually with short or stub wings (Cierva, Avro Rota, Pitcairn, DH C.24 etc) were known as Autogyros.
There dosen’t seem to be any difference between the theories on how they work, ie relying on forward propulsion from an engine and propeller with the unpowered rotors working and giving lift once enough speed has been reached.

An airworthy autogyro………??? More likely a gyrocopter, methinks.

Planemike

I dunno. A Ken Wallis/Little Nelly looking thing anyway. Should have thought that if it autorotates the blades, then it´s an autogyro?

Good point, the autogyro you can spin up the rotors while stood still on the ground?

An airworthy autogyro………??? More likely a gyrocopter, methinks.

Planemike

Curiously, I saw an Autogyro over Lee on Solent on Monday. Can´t even remember the last time I saw one.

Many thanksfor your corrections, the old memory is getting less accurate as time goes on. I was involved with Leo Smith on the Documentation of the engine cowlings and mountings for a radio to be fitted. I believe he may have had a patent for his rotor spin-up device which started the rotor turning before take off to improve field performance

I have not seen the programme. Over the years I have met Ken Wallis a couple of times, a real gentleman and an inspiration.

During the time of his collaboration with Beagle five machines were produced.
Serial nos: B.201 B.202 B.203 B.204 B.205.

B.201 This had military serial XR242 (the first) and was written off after two days at Shoreham. 12 May 62. It is reported the serial no: B.201 was tranfered to Ken’s second machine G-ARRT, built while he was still in the RAF.

B.202 Registered G-ARZA. F/f Shoreham 06 July 62. Tranferred to XR242 (the second) for evaluation by AAC at Middle Wallop. It later returned to civilian life.

B,203 Registered G-ARZB. Tranferred to XR243 for evaluation by AAC at Middle Wallop. It was later used in a Bond film in 1966.

B.204 Initially registered G-ARZC (the first) then to XR244 for evaluation by AAC at Middle Wallop. F/f at Shoreham Aug 62. Later registered G-ASDY. Used for engine evaluations.

B.205 Registered G-ARZC (the second).

The normal power plant at this time was the 72 HP McCulloch 4318A, a four cylinder two stroke.

Re: an appearance at Leg Ends. Not impossible, G-ARZB & G-ASDY are still owned by Ken but neither appears to have a current CoA. Interestingly the last owner shown for G-ARZA is Nigel de Ferranti with the a/c being transferred to Portugal in 1988. Wonder if it is still there?

Pee Wee Judge was flying G-AXAR when it crashed. This was not a Beagle built machine.

Hope the above helps……..

Planemike

Ken Wallis Autogyros

It was memorable seeing Ken WAllis’s Autogyros, and took me back to 1961 when Beagle-Miles built three WA116’s for evalation by the Army Air Corps. They were registered as G-ARWA, B & C, and I believe Whiskey Bravo was used to create “Little Nellie”

Pee-Wee Judge was flying one of the other two when he had his fatal crash at the Farnborough Airshow in 1970

As they are powered by piston engines, perhaps they could be invited to “Flying Legends”

Don’t forget that Ken is the chairman of the Norfolk and Suffolk aviation museum at Flixton and they are currently at the finishing stages of completing an autogyro museum extension at the museum showing Kens many achievements. Free entry too.

Graham

I’ve met Ken a few times over the years (usually at Bond events), and I always find that he is a joy to listen to. As already mentioned he is a lovely guy and he did leave Russell Brand in awe.

The video Born to Bond is well worth the price, very interesting and for non-Bond fans, not too much 007 😡

re;

why on earth dont they get chaps like Ken into schools, to encourage kids to be interested in something? can you imagine little Nelly arriving on a school field? Would beat the drivel we had to listen too.

An aerial legend – his life would make a great movie/documentary. Lovely guy, too!

he appears in several,

this one, http://vimeo.com/14486022 ..nothing to do with me.

and this one.. http://www.intothewind.co.uk/#/trailer/ which is my own.

There are others out there including some clips on youtube etc.

best wishes

Steve

Just watched it on iplayer, Ken is brilliant, shame there were 2 of my most hated “personalities” sharing the stage with him.

My thoughts entirely!

Loved it when they asked if he had ever crashed [an autugyro] he miss heard and thought they meant ever in his aviation career , he mentioned he had been through 5 Wellingtons !