Granger Archaeopteryx

[cluttonfred]

Not a secret project, rather a one-off homebuilt inspired by the Westland Pterodactyl designs...

I have quite a bit of info on the Granger Archaeopteryx, an interesting little homebuilt that first flew in 1930 and was long part of the Shuttleworth Collection in England. In fact, they used to fly it now and again, though I think not anymore. It is now under restoration by Richard Granger, the son/nephew of the Granger brothers that built it.

As you can see, this unusual little plane is essentially a swept, tapered flying wing with wingtip, all-moving elevons attached parasol-style to an ordinary fuselage with a rudder. So its not quite tailless, but not quite tailed, either.

I have pics and specs and pilot's reports, but I don't have a 3-view or any other drawings. Can anyone help?

Cheers,

Matthew

 

[Apophenia]

Matthew,

Bill Young offers scale drawings of the Granger Archaeopteryx for sale.

http://billyoungdesigns.wordpress.com/publications-catalog/

Alternatively, you might try contacting Gabriel Stern. He scratch-built a beautiful 1/72nd scale model of the Archaeopteryx.

info@luchina.com
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal6/5901-6000/gal5935_Granger_Stern/00.shtm

 

[Jemiba]

According to Aeroplane Monthly 2/2001, restoration should be finished, as
the date for the second maiden flight was given as "in 2 to 3 years"
On the photo it already looks quite complete ...

 

[VictorXL188]

Well I found this on https://forums.modelflying.co.uk/index.php?/topic/27847-granger-archaeopteryx/
and 9 years ago this was the state of it. Apparently somewhere on the web someone stated that the wings were covered by 2016, but no more known as yet. Oh and in case people think that the Granger family have taken this off Shuttleworth, it is apparently only to do the rebuild, and then it will be returning to Old Warden. Oh and one other thing, this is the original scheme the aircraft wore in the 1930s. The blue one was applied by Shuttleworth apparently. It first flew in a gold scheme which unfortunately turned into a baby poo colour after exposure to the elements, hence the adoption of this colour.