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Ken Wallis

PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 8:30 am
by ozzy72
So much for no old bold pilots, I hope he achieves his goal! Go Ken!!!!!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-17677669

Re: Ken Wallis

PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 12:28 pm
by Fozzer
A grand old Fellow!... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]...!

I've always got; "Little Nellie" in all my Flight Sim Hangars....

...but I have yet to master her!.. ;D...!

Paul.... 8-)...!

Re: Ken Wallis

PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 1:20 pm
by C
A grand old Fellow!... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]...!


Indeed!

I had the pleasure of visiting his home in Norfolk a few years ago. His collection is immense! :)

Re: Ken Wallis

PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 1:49 pm
by Hagar
I remember watching Wing Commander Wallis' first attempts at flying his prototype gyrocopter from our spotting point* on the river bank at Shoreham. These test runs took place in the evening after the airport was closed. The problem was in winding the rotor fast enough for lift in calm conditions, all done by hand while charging flat out across the airfield. This clip was shot some time afterwards when he'd sorted the bugs out with a flexible drive from the engine connected to the rotor via a clutch. [url]http://www.britishpathe.com/video/air-news-shoreham-aka-home-made-gyrocopter-is-big/query/shoreham+airport
[/url]

*You can see our spotting point in the clip - the old gun emplacement behind him when he takes off. It's still there today. Note that there were no fences round the airfield in those days.

Re: Ken Wallis

PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:29 pm
by Flying Trucker
Thanks for the Links...wonderful reads... ;)

Re: Ken Wallis

PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:49 pm
by Steve M
He is just cool. A great mind!  8-)

Re: Ken Wallis

PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:12 pm
by beaky
:)  :)  :)