Blackburn Sidecar

Blackburn Sidecar
Role Ultra-light aircraft
National origin England
Manufacturer Blackburn Aeroplane & Motor Co. Ltd.
Introduction 1919
Number built 1

The Blackburn Sidecar was a two-seat ultra-light aircraft built by the Blackburn Aeroplane & Motor Company at Brough in 1919. There is no evidence that it ever flew.

Development

The side-by-side two-seat Sidecar was built by the Blackburn Aeroplane & Motor Co. Ltd. at Brough in 1919 for Mr.K.M Smith.

It was a small mid-winged aircraft,[1] with wings and other flying surfaces of constant chord. It had no fixed tail surfaces. The triangular cross-section fuselage was unusually deep, such that the undercarriage cross-axle was attached to the keel or bottom longeron.

The sole Sidecar, eventually registered G-EALN on 26 August 1920, was exhibited at Harrods Department store in Knightsbridge during March 1919. It did not fly with the low-powered Gnat.[1] About July 1921 the aircraft was sold to Mr. Haydon-White, Blackburn's London manager who had it re-engined with a 100-horsepower (75-kilowatt) Anzani radial.[1] By October 1921 it was logged as unairworthy. There is no record of it flying during these four months.[1]

Specifications (Gnat)

Data from Janes 1919.

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 20 ft 6 in (6.25 m)
  • Wingspan: 27 ft 3 in (8.31 m)
  • Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) [1]
  • Wing area: 123 sq ft (11.43 m2) [1]
  • Empty weight: 392 lb (178 kg) [1]
  • Gross weight: 850 lb (386 kg) [1]
  • Powerplant: 1 × ABC Gnat flat twin[1] , 40 hp (30 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 83 mph (134 km/h, 72 kn) (estimated)
  • Range: 300 mi (480 km, 260 nmi) (estimated)[1]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Blackburn Sidecar.

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Jackson 1968, pp. 135–8

Bibliography

  • Jane's All the Worlds Aircraft 1919
  • Jackson, A.J. (1968). Blackburn Aircraft since 1909. London: Putnam Publishing. pp. 135–138. ISBN 0-370-00053-6. Retrieved 8 September 2024.