Davidson Air-Car monoplane and biplane gyropters

[Stingray]

The original 1897-1898 version was to have 22 lift-fans, however it was never built and only small model tests were done, as well as separate full-scale propeller tests.

The next design was still a monoplane, but had two large lifters instead of 22 smaller ones. It was built in 1906 (or '07?), but failed the test in 1908 because of only one underpowered 10hp Stanley steam engine, instead of the two 50hp engines.

Davidson returned to Britain and attempted another design based on the previous ones. This time it was a tandem biplane with two large lifters, similar to that on the 1906 model. A wooden frame was built with the lifters and one engine was installed, but the project was abandoned because of lack of sufficient funds.

 

[Stargazer]

Fascinating designs, really. Thanks for sharing!!

 

[Stingray]

No problem.

 

[Tophe]

Is the "Air-Car" name here related to a roadable ability?

 

[Stingray]

Is the "Air-Car" name here related to a roadable ability?

I doubt it. I think it was named as such for the sake of it being aerial transport, specifically regarding the third design.

 

[Avimimus]

Well it means "air carriage" (which is right for the era)
It would be fascinating if someone were to do estimates and figure out how far this was from feasible...

 

[hesham]

Hi,


I spoke before about this aircraft,here;
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,3564.msg40794.html#msg40794


it was anther aircraft designed by L.O. Davidson;


http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1936/1936%20-%201580.html?search=l.o.%20Davidson

 

[hesham]

Anther drawing to Davidson flying machine.

http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-flying-machine-designed-by-mr-glo-davidson-aircraft-air-flight-plane-41574961.html?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid=69BB0A0C-D594-40BC-8F78-C57925A9CE84&p=147702&n=0&orientation=0&pn=1&searchtype=0&IsFromSearch=1&srch=foo%3dbar%26st%3d0%26pn%3d1%26ps%3d100%26sortby%3d2%26resultview%3dsortbyPopular%26npgs%3d0%26qt%3dfixed%2520air%26qt_raw%3dfixed%2520air%26lic%3d3%26mr%3d0%26pr%3d0%26ot%3d0%26creative%3d%26ag%3d0%26hc%3d0%26pc%3d%26blackwhite%3d%26cutout%3d%26tbar%3d1%26et%3d0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3d0%26loc%3d0%26imgt%3d0%26dtfr%3d%26dtto%3d%26size%3d0xFF%26archive%3d1%26groupid%3d%26pseudoid%3d%26a%3d%26cdid%3d%26cdsrt%3d%26name%3d%26qn%3d%26apalib%3d0%26apalic%3d%26lightbox%3d%26gname%3d%26gtype%3d%26xstx%3d0%26simid%3d%26saveQry%3d%26editorial%3d1%26nu%3d%26t%3d%26edoptin%3d%26customgeoip%3d%26cap%3d1%26cbstore%3d1%26vd%3d0

 

[csefi]

The original 1897-1898 version was to have 22 lift-fans, however it was never built and only small model tests were done, as well as separate full-scale propeller tests.

The next design was still a monoplane, but had two large lifters instead of 22 smaller ones. It was built in 1906 (or '07?), but failed the test in 1908 because of only one underpowered 10hp Stanley steam engine, instead of the two 50hp engines.

Davidson returned to Britain and attempted another design based on the previous ones. This time it was a tandem biplane with two large lifters, similar to that on the 1906 model. A wooden frame was built with the lifters and one engine was installed, but the project was abandoned because of lack of sufficient funds.

I have some of the original hand-drawn drafts for this. Davidson was my GG Uncle.

 

[csefi]

Here you go!

 

[csefi]

(there are many more)

 

[csefi]

Apparently he hired Alliot Roe as his draftsman (who went on to found Avro)... he was clearly a visionary, just with the wrong design!

 

[hesham]

From, Steam in the Air - Maurice Kelly