M.Goodall, A.Tagg British Aircraft before the Great War (Schiffer)
Deleted by request of (c)Schiffer Publishing
EVERETT-EDGECUMBE monoplane (Everett-Edgecumbe & Co., Colindale, Hendon)
E.I. Everett began the design of his monoplane in 1908, and constructed it in the wooden shed used by Paulhan in his flight from London to Manchester in April 1910, the area around which was later absorbed into Hendon aerodrome. The machine was assembled over a long period and C.R. Fairey was one who assisted in his spare time. It was finally ready for testing on 6-7 December 1910, when Bernard Clutterbuck was able to make short hops, also Everett himself in January 1911.
Although described as Bleriot-like, there were major differences, in particular the marked dihedral and camber and the end plates of the squarecut wings. The axle for the wheels was moved forward during the trials from the sprung trailing portion of the twin skids to a central position between the mounting struts.
The fuselage was originally covered throughout with fabric, but later was uncovered aft of the trailing edge of the wings. The fixed fin was triangular and mounted on top of the rear fuselage and carried a square shaped rudder the lower edge of which was cut at an angle to clear the one piece elevator. Separate fixed tail surfaces were attached to the lower longerons.
Power: 35hp JAP four-cylinder water-cooled vee driving a 6ft diameter propeller.
Data
Span 25ft
Area 140 sq ft
Length 16ft
Height 9ft 6in
Max speed 30 mph.
P.Lewis British Aircraft 1809-1914 (Putnam)
Everett Edgcumbe Monoplane
One of the earliest British tractor monoplanes was that designed in 1908 by E. I. Everett and constructed by Everett Edgcumbe and Co. Ltd., of Colindale, London, N.W.9.
The machine was reminiscent of the Bleriot Monoplane in lay-out, and was a single-seater powered by a four-cylinder 35 h.p. J. A.P. engine which drove a 6 ft. diameter propeller. The framework was of wood with fabric covering overall; the flying surfaces were double-covered. Warping was used for lateral control, and this was operated by turning the hand-wheel on the control column, the fore-and-aft movement of which actuated the elevators. Foot pedals controlled the rudder. The wings were given a generous dihedral angle, and at their tips were mounted end-plates.
In the course of tests, various alterations were made to the machine. The original undercarriage skids were curved along their length, the wheels' axle being sprung by the rear part of the skids. The arrangement of the supporting struts was altered to provide a more rigid fixing, with the transverse axle moved to mid-way on the new pair of skids' straight portion. The engine was water-cooled, its radiator being carried at an angle under the nose of the fuselage.
Tests of the Everett Edgcumbe Monoplane were carried out in a field at Colindale which was to become part of the London Aerodrome at Hendon. The wooden shed built to house the machine was used by Louis Paulhan for his Farman during his epic race with Grahame-White for the Daily Mail London-to-Manchester prize. The nickname "The Grasshopper" was applied to the monoplane, as it failed to fly properly and succeeded only in making hops from the ground during trials made on 6th and 7th December, 1910, by Bernard Clutterbuck and again during January, 1911, by E. I. Everett.
SPECIFICATION
Description: Single-seat tractor monoplane. Wooden structure, fabric covered.
Manufacturers: Everett Edgcumbe and Co. Ltd., Colindale Works, Colindeep Lane, Hendon, London, N.W.9.
Power Plant: 35 h.p. J.A.P.
Dimensions: Span, 25 ft. Length, 16 ft. Height, 9 ft. 6 ins. Wing area, 140 sq. ft.
Performance: Maximum speed, 30 m.p.h.