PICKERSGILL monoplanes (James Thompson Pickersgill, Park Lane, Longlee, Keighley, Yorkshire)

   Patent No.307/1909 was applied for in January 1909, for a machine with a near circular wing, below which hung the tubular steel airframe, balanced so that, in the event of engine failure, the machine would descend as a parachute. The patent shows a twin-engined pusher with coupled drive by chains, with a front biplane elevator and twin rear rudders, mounted on a four wheeled undercarriage.
   The local press reported that Pickersgill made three machines, one of which he assembled in 1909 in a marquee on a farm near Harden, with the intention of entering this for the Blackpool Meeting, to be held from 18-23 October 1909, but he was unable to complete the aircraft in time. He appears to have abandoned the circular wing by this time, for the only illustration found, is of a high wing, parallel chord monoplane with single acting ailerons, hinged at the trailing edges, but based on an airframe similar to that in the patent. The front and rear control surfaces were different and the power was provided by a single JAP vee-twin engine driving the propeller direct. However, it would seem that the machine was originally fitted with a chain drive to the propeller and this broke on test on 16 December 1909. This prevented any attempt to fly at a meeting arranged by the Northern Aero Syndicate (J.W. House a Bleriot owner) at Halifax, which was to be held over the Christmas holiday. The machine was, however, exhibited at Halifax Zoo unflown instead.
   On 4 and 5 January 1910 the machine was being towed back to Pickersgill's home at night by horses, when it slid off the bogie, which had shed a wheel. The effort was too much and it was decided to store the machine in the yard of the 'T'Gawmless Inn' at Cullingworth, to be collected the following day. However a gale destroyed the machine in the night and it never did fly.
   Another version, probably a reconstruction, was fitted with two JAP vee-twin engines. The two engines drove separate propellers from countershafts, but were coupled together to give 16hp. A Mr. Taylor of the Central Motor Co. of Keighley supervised the preparation of the power.
   Two 6ft 8in diameter propellers are known to have survived until at least 1971. It is unclear which power came first, but no doubt, it was one based on the scheme shown in the patent sketches. Patents 307/1909 and 21411/1910, which appear not to have been accepted, are relevant.