Airspeed Courier - Fast Retractable Long Distance Pioneer
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- Опубликовано: 4 янв 2024
- The Airspeed Courier first flew in April 1933. Only sixteen were built but it was an successful design, being the first aircraft with retractable undercarriage in UK production and RAF service.
Music: ‘Honeysuckle’ by Honeyroot.
Maps: National Museum Of Scotland and my own collection.
Photos: Various. Contact me if you want a credit in the description.
Newspapers and Journals: British Newspaper Archive and others.
Aerial photos: ‘Britain From Above’ and others.
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The Courier had very lovely lines indeed.
Yes, ninety years later it's still a modern looking machine with reasonable performance. The Art Deco trim and lettering are very appealing too.
I never knew that Neville Shute was involved with airspeed . I recently read “around the bend” By mr Shute an aviation yarn circa 1930’S again thanks for posting
Nevil Shute's autobiography 'Slide Rule' is well worth reading. He was quite an accomplished man and will be subject of a future bio on this channel. Lots of his books and information at www.fadedpage.com/sc/shute.php
I’ve flown RC sailplanes for 30 years. The Tern is a Beautiful sailplane. Looks ahead of it’s time with those sleek lines. Would love to build a model of it.
Sadly, there are lots of aircraft bonfire lovers in history.
Last owners could've just ask someone if they want a free hen house or shed.
This signature Airspeed nose would've been lovely in someones garden.
I don’t think there was much sentiment in post war Britain. Rationing, fuel shortages etc. It would have made an excellent hen house!
I once knew a chap who worked at Airspeed. He was none other than the inspiration for Nevil Shute's main character in "The trustee from the toolroom". His name was Fred Lindsley; I'm curious if anyone here knew him too. He used to accompany Alan Cobham with the Ferry which he frequently had to dismantle and reassemble.
I know of Fred Lindsley; have a copy of his article ‘Daylight On Dreamships’ on my laptop. Interesting that he was the inspiration for the Leslie Stewart character 👍
Fred (actually Forester) was my father. I have put his writings on his time at Cobham's up in Flickr. For some reason, YT doesn't allow me to display url links.
@@pinkharrier47 That’s wonderful, I found your Flickr page a while ago and enjoyed ‘The Topless Big Top’. Would you object if I used some of that information for a film about the National Aviation Day Displays?
@@FlyingForFunTrecanair no, go right ahead.
@@pinkharrier47 Thank you!
I’ll wear my high speed tweed suit next time I’m flying the Tiger Moth😊
Anybody have a link to Savile Row suppliers of high speed tweed - I desperately need one to improve the top end speed of my roadster.
@@kenphillips5221 Possibly a second hand shop?
Great! I'm a retired airline pilot. Somewhere, I still have my Father's book of collected Players Cigarette Cards, including that same Airspeed Courier card. I used to pour over that book as a boy. Seems like I'll have to dig that out tomorrow!
I have an original set too, all pasted in the book. Not sure where they came from, possibly grandpa.
No doubt about it Airspeed were suitable competition for de Havilland in producing good looking aircraft. The Courier, Envoy and Oxford were all attractive.
Both companies turned out magnificent aeroplanes. I logged about 500 hours in a Rapide and never tired of flying it. Airspeed’s constant problem was lack of capital; ironically, this was only solved when the majority shareholding was bought by de Havilland in 1940. Isn’t the Horsa attractive too? Even a baby warthog must be loved by its mother!
Very much enjoyed the Airspeed Courier story, which is far more fascinating than I would ever have imagined. Interesting to learn about the Alan Cobham connection, too. Those really were the days.🤗
Yes, it's an aeroplane that deserved some attention.
Perhaps an episode on strut-less Sail Planes - and the 16 cylinder Napier?
The ‘H’ configuration Napier is certainly an interesting engine although none were as successful as the earlier Lion series.
Impressive cockpit/cabin and vis. on the Courier
I rather like the cockpit design; all flat panels but very stylish.
Excellent Film Nick. Chris in Devon.
Thanks Chris 👍
Sad end to a fine ship. Spiritual cousin to the TSR2 in that.
Which one? The Fairey Swordfish was officially the TSR2 and far more successful than the post war offering.
Nice video
Thank you 👍
Think of moving a factory back then from York to Portsmouth. That's halfway across Great Britain! Rail?
Yes, it must have been quite an effort, although the original bus garage factory in York was small.
Excellent video. I’ve just read Nevil Shute’s Wikipedia entry . His expertise in Stress Analysis is overshadowed by Nevil Shute the novelist.
I believe you are right 👍
Shute wrote ''No Highway'' which was filmed as ''No Highway in the Sky'' with Jimmy Stewart. The picture's hero airplane looked a lot like a Brabizon, but the story was really about the Comet. As an American, I apologize for the studio's sticking Stewart in as protagonist instead of a proper Brit. I know you guys are sensitive about that. Good flick for its period.
In his nonfiction book: "Slide Rule," he covers a lot of his work with Airspeed and also at Vickers on the R-100.
@@spaceranger3728 Just ordered a copy. Now where did I put my trusty slide rule 🙀
There is a memorial and cemetery for the R101 in the village of Cardington
@@HootOwl513 Prophetically, Shute wrote 'No Highway' before the Comets failed. I rather like Jimmy Stewart as Dr. Honey. When I first read the book, I imagined my balding bookish grandpa as Honey, probably because grandpa worked at RAE Farnborough. The Rutland Reindeer in the film is quite magnificent!
After looking at the Tern some more….does it look like to you it has some general lines as the Spitfire? Maybe Mitchell got some ideas from it…
Maybe?
G'day,
Um,
Why did ye not mention that the
Courier was the
First Civil Aircraft in the then
British Empire to have a
Retractable Undercarriage...?
Neville S(hute) Norway made a big point of that, in
"Slide Rule",
His
Autobiography...
I first read it in 1976, at age 15.
When I read his 22 published
"Collected Works".
It made a big impression on me.
At 17, what took me for my
First Solo may be giggled at by searching YT for
"National Transportation Museum ; Visiting My First Aeroplane...!".
The papertrail is showcased in an older upload,
"The 8-Hp, 1975, Red Baron Skycraft Scout ; World's 1st Legal Minimum Aircraft...!".
I blame/credit
Neville S(hute) Norway at least as much as
Captain W.E. Johns...(!).
Such is life,
Have a good one...
Stay safe.
;-p
Ciao !
Have a good one
I did mention that it was the first British production aircraft to have retractable undercarriage. ‘Slide Rule’ is in my bookcase too. Go to the back of the class 🤣
Mentioned around the 1:50 mark
High speed tweed😂. I cant stop thinking there is a marketing opportunity here. You should patent the expression before I do - calling all venture capital investors 🤔. A Goodwood tent at the very least.
Carefully crafted from Air Ministry approved string!