Gadfly HDW.1

The Gadfly HDW.1 (also known as the Thruxton Gadfly) is a 1960s British two-seat cabin autogyro.

Gadfly HDW.1
Role Autogyro
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer Gadfly Aircraft Company Limited
Designer E. Smith
Status On Display
Number built 1

Design and construction

The autogyro was designed by E. Smith and built by the Gadfly Aircraft Company Limited. It is of welded steel tube construction with tricycle landing gear, powered by a 165 hp (123 kW) Rolls-Royce Continental IO-346-A inline piston engine driving a pusher propeller. It has a two-bladed rotor that can be engine-driven for starting.

It was completed at Andover in 1967 and registered G-AVKE.[1] After retirement the Gadfly was initially exhibited at the Historic Aircraft Museum at Southend Airport. Latterly it has been displayed at The Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare.

The sole Gadfly displayed at Southend Airport in 1976 complete with main rotor and pusher propeller

Specifications

Data from [2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one
  • Length: 22 ft 0 in (6.71 m)
  • Main rotor diameter: 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m)
  • Gross weight: 1600 lb (726 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Continental IO-346-A, 165 hp (123 kW)

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 110 mph (176 km/h)
  • Range: 460 miles (740 km)

See also

Related lists

  • List of autogyro models

References

Notes

Bibliography

  • Jackson, A.J. (1973). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 2. London: Putnam. p. 382. ISBN 0-370-10010-7.}
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