From Lysander to Lightning

[MaxG]

The thread title is the title of a very readable book about Teddy Petter. It is by Glyn Davies and published by The History Press.
For those of you who may not have heard of him he designed the Lysander, Canberra, EE P1, became the Lightning, then finally the Folland Midge and Gnat. All very inovative designs.
Well worth the read with a sad ending.
Maxg

[Glyn44]

That’s a tenner you’ve just cost me!

[MaxG]

Oh dear. Still I am sure you will emjoy it. I did.

Maxg

[Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator]

Yes, I've read this, very good indeed.

BEB

[Cliff Bastow]

Daughter bought me this for Xmas, Very good read. A brilliant if sometimes difficult man. A sad twist at the end.

[David Holland 2]

This sound like a good read and I'm about to order it. While l'm at it I have been meaning for years to read some Antione de Saint-Exupery. If know of "the Little Prince" and wonder if that is the one to look for or if there are others that I should try. I have no idea if he will be easily available or whether specialist book shops are the way to go, but if I know what to Google that will be a start. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

David

[McG 6969]

Hi David,

If you'd like to have a go at Antoine de Saint-Ex's work, look for “Terre des Hommes” (Man and his world) and “Vol de Nuit” (Night Flight).

But of course, "Le Petit Prince" really is a 'masterpiece" in Antoine's work... simply still a pleasant lecture to mankind and humanity.

Cheers & enjoy

Chris

[TJ Alexander]

Thanks for this thread. That's a very varied portfolio of designs for one person (who, I am ashamed to say, I did not know of). I shall have to check out the book.

[Colin Leighfield]

Don’t forget that the plane he designed before the Canberra was the Welkin, quite a difference! There was actually a proposal to build a version of the Welkin with jets that didn’t proceed, probably a good thing! Although not a huge success, about 100 were built but didn’t see active service beyond combat testing with AFDU. Most were stored in MUs for some years and then scrapped. It’s Whirlwind heritage is obvious, also his design.

Edited By Colin Leighfield on 05/02/2018 19:54:01

[TJ Alexander]

Interesting. I hadn't been aware of the Welkin up to now. What a magnificent machine!

[Piers Bowlan]

The Welkin would make an excellent PSS subject with its high aspect ratio. It is not often modelled oddly enough but Colin, you build a very nice model of it I recall, is it still flying?

[Colin Leighfield]

Hi Piers. I never flew it! On the occasion I took it to the field I clumsily shorted out the battery and nearly blew myself up, no damage to the plane. I was relieved in truth because I knew that c of g was a bit rearward and the process of getting it right was adding weight, so I put it on one side to come back to one day. It’s currently sitting alongside my Hughes XF11,which did fly well but needs new motors. I still need to fully retire, keep on telling myself that I will.

[Colin Leighfield]

Here are the Welkins. The first is the 58” version that I originally designed and built, but gave to Dave Chinery to finish and fly when my late wife was seriously ill. He featured it in his “Flying Sparks” column in RCME. The next two pictures show the F1 and the single night Fighter two seater prototype. The next show the unflown 70” version. I probably need to re-make the tail to reduce the weight at the back, there’s scope to do that. A very interesting Petter design. The pressurised cockpit technology provided the foundation for the Normalair Garrett business that manufactured such systems for airliners around the world later..