M.Goodall, A.Tagg British Aircraft before the Great War (Schiffer)
Deleted by request of (c)Schiffer Publishing
PORTER helicopter (J. Robertson Porter, 9 Gray's Inn Square, London EC)
Porter exhibited his direct lift machine at Cordingley's Motor Car Exhibition at the Agricultural Hall, Islington in March 1908 and again at the Sports and Travel Exhibition at Olympia in July 1909.
The design was covered by patent No.21261 /1908 and consisted of two ducted fans in a frame, driven through shafts, gearboxes and a chain drive from the motor mounted on the base. Each fan had four separate stages and was enclosed in a cowl to direct the air pressure downwards. A pusher propeller was mounted on an extension of the horizontal main shaft; a rudder was provided at the rear and was controllable from the operator's station at the front of the machine.
A similar but smaller machine with a single two-stage ducted fan was also proposed.
Power: 6hp JAP two-cylinder air-cooled
Data
Length 16ft
Width. 8ft
Height 14ft
Weight 200 lb.
P.Lewis British Aircraft 1809-1914 (Putnam)
Porter Helicopter
J. Robertson Porter was an exponent of the direct-lift aircraft, and his first machine was shown at Cordingley's Motor Car Exhibition held from 21st until 28th March, 1908, at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, London. A ducted fan system consisting of 5 ft. diameter propellers and eight vanes drew air downwards through a cone structure with an upper opening of 5 sq. ft. Drive from the air-cooled two-cylinder 6 h.p. J.A.P. engine was by means of a clutch and belt transmission over pulleys. It was displayed again in July, 1909, at the Travel Exhibition held at Olympia. Height, 14 ft. Weight empty, 200 lb.
