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

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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

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Data from [2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one
  • Length: 22 ft 0 in (6.71 m)
  • Gross weight: 1,600 lb (726 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Continental IO-346-A , 165 hp (123 kW)
  • Main rotor diameter: 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m)

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 110 mph (176 km/h, 96 kn)
  • Range: 460 mi (740 km, 400 nmi)

See also

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Related lists

References

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Notes

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Bibliography

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