M.Goodall, A.Tagg British Aircraft before the Great War (Schiffer)
Deleted by request of (c)Schiffer Publishing
BRITISH MATCHLESS convertiplane (Arthur Phillips, Market Drayton, Shropshire)
This machine was the invention of Phillips, an engineer and cycle maker, and was covered by Patent No.28 119/1908. It consisted of a rectangular tubular structure, which tapered down to the base where the operator was placed. The biplane wings were mounted on large bearings and could pivot through 90 degrees in unison with the four fanlike propellers. The propeller shafts and wing chord line would be vertical for takeoff and turned to horizontal for forward flight. The propeller shafts were fitted with universal joints to enable the thrust to be deflected for control purposes.
The machine was built in scale form with a Douglas motor cycle engine and was flown on several occasions tethered by a rope. A seven-cylinder two-stroke engine of 12hp was to be fitted and this, together with the structure of the machine, are still to be seen in the Shuttleworth Collection. Phillips was said to know the Wright brothers and to be esteemed by Moore-Brabazon and other enthusiasts.
Data for model.
Span 14ft 6in.
Chord 3 ft 6in.
Gap 2ft 6in.
Length 6ft 2in.
Height 6ft 6in.
