Scottish Aeroplane Syndicate Avis

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Scottish Aeroplane Syndicate Avis
Role Pioneering sport aircraft
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer Howard T. Wright
Designer
W.O. Manning
First flight March 1910
Number built 5

The Scottish Aeroplane Avis was a tractor monoplane built by Howard T. Wright in 1909. At that time Wright was one of England's foremost aircraft engineers, and had several monoplane aircraft under development. The Avis was shown at the 1910 Aero Exhibition in London and several examples were successfully flown during 1910.[1]

Design and development

The Avis was designed by Wright and

elevator.[3]

The prototype, known as the Golden Plover, was fitted with a 30 hp (22 kW) Anzani engine. It was finished in December 1909, but trials at Brooklands were unsatisfactory and the engine was replaced by a 35 hp (26 kW) Anzani driving a wooden propeller manufactured by Wright. The prototype was first successfully flown by Boyle in March 1910. It was sold to Mr Maconie, who used it at Brooklands in August 1910.[4]

Operational history

A second aircraft, now called the Avis and sometimes called the Avis II because it was the second built, powered by a 40 hp (30 kW)

J.A.P. was exhibited by the Scottist Aeronautical Syndicate at Olympia in Jan 1910.[5] This aircraft was bought by R.F. Wickham, who flew it at Brooklands, extensively damaging it after a forced landing caused by engine failure.[6]

The third built, which was powered by 40 hp (30 kW)

E.N.V. engine was officially named the Avis I and was used as a personal machine by Boyle, who confusingly gave it his personal number "3", which was painted on the tail. He gained his Aero Club certificate (number 13) in it on 14 July, but wrecked the aircraft at the Bournemouth Air display later that month.[7]

An example referred to as Avis III was bought by the racing driver John Herbert Spottiswode, who later sold it as a prop to the London photography studio Campbell–Gray .[6]

Another, Avis IV, was used by Boyle to replace the aircraft wrecked at Bournemouth, but when the Scottish Aeronautical Syndicate was dissolved at the end of the year this was sold at auction at Brooklands, going for £50 to Eustace Gray, the Brooklands press steward.[dubious – discuss][8]

Specifications

Data from Lewis 1962, p.314

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 27 ft (8.2 m)
  • Wingspan: 28 ft (8.5 m)
  • Wing area: 160 sq ft (15 m2)
  • Empty weight: 430 lb (195 kg)
  • Gross weight: 630 lb (286 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 ×
    J.A.P.
    8-cylinder, 40 hp (30 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed

Notes

  1. ^ Lewis 1962 p.313
  2. ^ Ransom 1987 p92
  3. Flight magazine
    , 3 March 1910
  4. ^ Ransom 1987, p.90
  5. Flight magazine
    , 3 March 1910
  6. ^ a b Ransom 1987 p. 90
  7. Flight Magazine
    , 29 October 1910
  8. Flight magazine
    , 24 December 1910

References

  • Lewis, Peter. British Aircraft 1809–1914. London: Putnam, 1962
  • Ransom, S. N. and Fairclough, F. English Electric Aircraft and their Predecessors. London: Putnam, 1987
    ISBN 0-85177-806-2
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