Henderson-Glenny Gadfly

H.S.F.II Gadfly
Role	Single-seat monoplane
National origin	United Kingdom
Manufacturer	Glenny and Henderson Limited
Designer	K.N. Pearson
First flight	1929
Retired	1934
Number built	3

The Henderson-Glenny H.S.F.II Gadfly was a British single-seat low-wing monoplane designed by K.N. Pearson and built by Glenny and Henderson Limited at Byfleet, Surrey, England in 1929.[1]

Design and development

The Gadfly was a low-wing monoplane with a fixed conventional landing gear and an open single seat cockpit.[1] The first aircraft, powered by a 35 hp (26 kW) ABC Scorpion II engine, first flew at Brooklands in April 1929.[1] It was designated the Gadfly I and was registered G-AAEY.[2] It was fitted with Pearson rotary ailerons and re-designated Gadfly II when it achieved a world altitude record of 3,021 m (9,911 ft) in the 200 kg class on 16 May 1929 piloted by G.L.P. Henderson.[1]

The second aircraft was a Gadfly II G-AARJ[3] which first flew in August 1929 and was exported to Canada, where it was damaged beyond repair at Kitchener, Ontario, on 25 August 1931.[1] The final aircraft was Gadfly III G-AARK[4] which was the same as the Gadfly II but fitted with a 40 hp (30 kW) Salmson A.D.9 radial engine.[1] It was withdrawn from use in 1930.[1] The first aircraft G-AAEY was last based at Wolverhampton when it was scrapped in June 1934.[1]

Variants

Gadfly I

ABC Scorpion II powered, one built later converted to Gadfly II.[1]

Gadfly II

Same as Gadfly II but fitted with Pearson rotary ailerons, one conversion and one built.[1]

Gadfly III

Salmson A.D.9 radial-engine-powered, one built.[1]

Specifications (Gadfly II)

Glenny & Henderson Gadfly 3-view drawing from Aero Digest January,1930

Data from [1]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 17 ft 10 in (5.44 m)
• Wingspan: 25 ft 10 in (7.87 m)
• Empty weight: 455 lb (206 kg)
• Gross weight: 750 lb (340 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × ABC Scorpion II , 35 hp (26 kW)

Performance

• Cruise speed: 72 mph (116 km/h, 63 kn)
• Range: 350 mi (560 km, 300 nmi)

References

Notes

1. Jackson 1974, p. 251
2. "Registration Document - G-AAEY" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 15 November 2009.
3. "Registration Document - G-AARJ" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 15 November 2009.
4. "Registration Document - G-AARK" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 15 November 2009.

Bibliography

• Jackson, A.J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 3. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-10014-X.