Project News
August 2009: The Cody Flyer gets a Cody Tree
Famously, Cody tethered his aircraft to a tree to test his engines and propellers - the same tree every time. It suffered a bit from the ill-treatment and then from old age.
It still exists thanks to the efforts, over the years, of RAE apprentices making "artificial limbs" and other imaginative repairs. Today, a replica of the tree stands at the QinetiQ site not only for its historical significance but also as a tribute to their efforts.
The Volunteers get busy
Thanks to FAST
volunteers the replica of the Cody Flyer on
display in the Pavilion at the Museum now has its own "tree".
The tree stands in its own piece of Farnborough Heath and gives visitors a chance to think about the historical context of Cody's early development work. To the right of the tree can be seen the screen of the Flyer Simulator.
The Volunteers hard at work
Left, we see the
"tree" under construction. From left to right: Mike
Drew, Les Coleman and Dave Ford.
Right, now comes the "artwork": Alan Ryder preparing to paint the tree.
Cody Flyer Project Team
The Cody Flyer project team has been running its own website for the duration of the design and build. You will find more background and pictures on the website and an archive of the construction, too.
What does the Flyer look like?
The picture shows a model of the British Army Aeroplane No:1A
that was the first aircraft to fly in the UK – piloted by Mr
Cody – on October
16th 1908.
We believe the model was made by the RAE Apprentices around 1964 and
was made of brass/copper.
100th Anniversary
The replica was built on time for the Farnborough International air show and it it was on display in the pioneers of flight pavilion.
Back at the Museum, a new display hall has been built and the Flyer has safely made its journey back thanks to some kind weather. A set of display panels have been designed giving information on Cody, the Flyer, the history of Farnborough and the FAST organisation and they will in place on the day to complete the display.
99th Anniversary
There was already plenty to show in time for the 99th anniversary of Cody's first powered flight (October 16th). By taking an engineering approach to filling the gaps in the knowledge of how Cody built his aeroplane, the team have made some significant discoveries. The team will be posting more on this on their website soon.The press release on the launch:
FAST has launched a project to build a full-size replica of British Army Aeroplane No1A, the aircraft in which Samuel Franklin Cody made the first successful powered flight in Great Britain, at Farnborough on 16th October 1908.
The project is aimed at becoming the focus for centenary celebrations of this important historical event in 2008, and will also include a unique educational aspect bringing together organisations which will be offered the opportunity to participate. The project has already received enthusiastic support from Rushmoor Borough Council and local MP, Gerald Howarth, and a major partnering and fund-raising effort will be launched.
The non-flying replica will be built full size, and with a 52ft wingspan will be impressively large. Designed to look as authentic as possible in appearance, using representative materials, including some original Cody bamboo, it will be unique as after the first flight, the actual aircraft crashed and its design was subsequently modified. The design chosen by FAST will be based on detailed plans researched by local historian and Cody expert, Jean Roberts, and drawn by John Roberts, depicting the configuration as flown on 16th October 1908. It is intended to allow the public to see progress on the replica in the FAST Museum, on Farnborough Road, when the components begin to take shape. It is hoped that a public preview might be possible in time for the 2008 Farnborough International Air show.
The project team is led by FAST member David Wilson, who before retirement was responsible in MOD for Eurofighter. He is one of many team members who are also members of the Farnborough Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Members of the project team have extensive aeronautical knowledge and skills, many being ex-RAE specialists, and some are employed at QinetiQ and other aerospace organisations. Work has already started on the preparation of lists of materials and components needed, and detailed drawings and patterns. All work is on an unpaid voluntary basis though some components are expected to be bought in or donated by partner companies.
Education
Exciting re-use of R52
One of the key pieces of the FAST strategy is education. An exciting project already in planning will bring a "hands-on" science education centre. The target group is school students at the stage of making their mind up about A-levels, particularly those not yet fully convinced about doing science subjects.
The Trustees have plans to reactivate a historic wind tunnel in the refurbished R52 structure as part of this ambitious educational project.
Trenchard House
There are initiatives under way to improve the facilities both for the visiting public and for the staff of FAST. The Museum Shop is having a make-over with new display cabinets and a carpet in FAST colours.
Behind the scenes: for the first time the Trustees have their own office with enough space for filing, also the catering kitchen is steadily being refitted with fridges, microwaves, crockery etc. and much of it by generous donations from FAST members
Display Aircraft
There is project in planning which will be very visible. Plans are being drawn up to repaint the aircraft on display. There are exciting possibilities to choose historically fitting colour schemes, possibly bringing some of the aircraft back to the colours in which they originally flew.
There will be more details soon. There is much knowledge and many skills among the FAST members and look forward to a truly professional result.
Registered Charity 1040199
http://www.farnboroughairsciences.org.uk
Version: 1.04 date: 19 August 2009