| Terrence I. Murphy, e-mail, 10.02.2012 19:21 The Buzzard was a single-seat ultralight of wooden construction, fitted with split flaps and an all-flying tailplane, and powered by a 35 hp Anzani inverted Vee air-cooled engine. The Buzzard was designed by C.H. Latimer-Needham, and built by Luton Aircraft at Barton-in-the-Clay, Bedfordshire in 1936. The only Buzzard, registered G-ADYX and designated the Buzzard I first flew in 1936. On 16 November 1936, it was damaged during landing at Christchurch, Hampshire.
In 1937, it was rebuilt as the Buzzard II with short-span wings, enclosed cockpit and an orthodox tailplane. On 8 May 1938, it was damaged beyond repair while being demonstrated at a Royal Aeronautical Society 'garden party' at Great West Aerodrome.
General characteristics
• Crew: 1
• Length: 21 ft 6 in ()
• Wingspan: 35 ft 6 in ()
• Height: ()
• Empty weight: 400 lb ()
• Max. takeoff weight: 600 lb ()
• Powerplant: 1 × Anzani inverted twin, 35hp ()
Performance
• Maximum speed: 95 mph
• Range: 180 miles () reply |
| Alan Gregory, e-mail, 09.02.2012 07:39 As a schoolboy living in Chichester I was lucky enough to see the Buzzard 2 on a number of occasions . It would fly as I remember West to East passing just North of the City centre and return later in the day . It was probably in the late Summer of 1937 because the weather was always fine and good for my ' spotting ' . This wss the time of No's 1 and 43 at Tangmere and Furys and Gladiators . I now wonder why the coastwise trips were so regular and where they began and ended . I would love to know as it is just as interesting as the regular Singapore flying boats that we saw at that time . Hope you have some records which show a light on the subject . Yours , Alan Gregory . reply |
