Richard Leonard Howard-Flanders FRSA AMIMechE (1882 – 1939) was an early British aircraft designer and manufacturer.
Richard Leonard Howard-Flanders | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 September 1882 |
| Died | 12 August 1939 (aged 56) Bristol, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Aeronautical Engineer |
| Known for | Aircraft designer |
Early life
editRichard Leonard Flanders (later Howard-Flanders) was born in Italy to British parents in 1882. He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge and then served an engineering apprenticeship at Brazil Straker and Company of Bristol.[1] In 1909 he joined A.V. Roe before forming his own company (L. Howard Flanders Limited) at Brooklands Aerodrome in 1910.[1]
Aircraft designer
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He designed a built a series of monoplanes including the Flanders F.4 that was entered in the Military Trials of 1912.[1] It was damaged and unable to compete in the trials.[1] A small number of his aircraft were built for the British Army. Howard-Flanders had a serious motorcycle accident and during his convalescence his company had to close down.[1] He joined the aircraft department of Vickers Limited and later in 1917 moved to the engine section.[1] After he left Vickers he worked for a number of companies including English Electric and the Bristol Aeroplane Company.[1] In 1921 he was registered with the Teachers Registration Council when he was Assistant Master at the Regent Street Polytechnic from 1920 to 1923[2] In the 1930s he was secretary of the British Gliding Association.[3]
Family life
editHoward-Flanders married Millicent Franks in 1914. He died in 1939 in Bristol aged 56.[1]