Clydeside Aviation Volume One: The Great War

A detailed description of the history of Aviation on Clydeside from 1785 to 1919. Commences with the balloonist Vincent Lunardi of 1785 in Glasgow, then Percy Pilcher flying at Cardross. There are fresh details of Pilcher and his flights at Cardross and his death flight, A. B. Baird and his monoplane on the Isle of Bute and Harold and Frank Barnwell at Grampian Motor Works, Stirling. This is followed by the Denny Mumford Helicopter, the formation of the Scottish Aeronautical Society and the Ashton Lane murder, the Exhibition at Kelvingrove of 1911,with a description of the disastrous fire: the Lanark meeting of 1910 and the Scotstoun meeting of 1914. The activities of the society are covered in-depth. The Ewen School at Lanark is not neglected nor is the formation of the Scottish Aviation Company at Barrhead and Ewen's record flights across Scotland. There are fresh details of Beardmore and their plans to produce D.F.W. aircraft in Britain pre-1914. There are new facts concerning E.C. Kny, Beardmore and D.F.W. aircraft production in Germany supported by rare drawings and pictures. The Wartime Weir Scheme of aeroplane production is explored in - depth with histories of the scheme members and their ships, including Denny of Dumbarton, Weir, Barclay Curle, Stephen of Linthouse, Fairfield at Govan, The North British Locomotive Works at Springburn, Napier and Miller, Old Kilpatrick, Corporation of Glasgow Tramways Department and Bostock's Zoo at New City Road. Details of the Singer Manufacturing Company's wartime production including production figures and labour totals. (There are details of some of the Denny company's products such as Denny's, King Edward.) Each aircraft type has its own history and description. There are detailed accounts of the aircraft in service with the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Navy. Airship development is covered at Inchinnan with fresh details of Submarine Scouts and Balloons. The aircraft built on Clydeside were:- B.E.2c (BE series), F.E.2b, Airco DH9, Fairey Campania, Sopwith Pup, Sopwith Camel, Sopwith Cuckoo, Wight Seaplane, Nieuport XII, Handley Page V/1500, Fairey N4 "Titania" the biggest flying boat in the world and the Beardmore prototypes flown at Dalmuir. There is a chapter on cancelled projects such as the Sopwith Snipe, Nieuport Nighthawk and Flying Boats. The airships were:- No 24, No 27, R-34 and R-36. Airship components were manufactured by Beardmore for other companies and a list is provided in the appendix. The Beardmore Halford Pullinger (B.H.P.) aero engine was built by Weir and substantial details of it are included. Details are included for the Ferdinand Porsche designed Beardmore Austro Daimler There are maps and diagrams provided which have never before been published. The use of Belgian Refugees is included for the first time in any aeronautical publication, as is the successful introduction of women into the aircraft manufacturing process. Descriptions of their work are fully described. Aero-engine supply and development is explained as is the development of Renfrew airport by the Ministry of Munitions and the landing ground at Cumnock. The industrial situation of spring 1915, the strikes and the conflict with the trade unions is fully explained. This is an insight into the beginnings of "Red Clydeside." Clydeside Aviation is supported by an Appendix which includes Bleriot aircraft, Ewen across the Forth, the Wright brothers, lighter than air-craft and an accurate Bibliography Profusely illustrated with over 450 illustrations and drawings in 372 A5 pages on quality paper making it very heavy - Highly recommended. Published to commemorate Clydeside's involvement in the Great War of 1914-18. Any questions will be promptly answered - many thanks for looking. Recommend use offers "Beginning with an overview of the development of aviation in Scotland from the 18th century balloon flights of James Tytler and Vincenzo Lunardi, the glider designs of Percy Pilcher and the pioneering 1910 Scottish International Aviation Meeting held at Lanark, this book proceeds to record a very detailed account of the key contribution which Scottish companies (including Beardmore, J & G Weir, William Denny & Brothers, Barclay Curle and Fairfield) played in British aircraft, airship and aero engine production during WW1, including the major role that women played working in aircraft factories" Aero-Society