Hendy Hobo

Hobo
Role Single-seat light monoplane
Manufacturer Hendy Aircraft Company
Designer Basil Henderson
First flight 1929
Introduction 1929
Retired 1940
Produced 1929
Number built 1

The Hendy 281 Hobo was a British single-seat light monoplane designed by Basil B. Henderson and built by the Hendy Aircraft Company at Shoreham Airport in 1929. Only one aircraft was built, registered G-AAIG, and first flown in October 1929 by Edgar Percival.

It was a small low-wing cantilever monoplane with a fixed tailskid landing gear and powered by a 35 hp ABC Motors Scorpion II engine. It was rebuilt in 1934 with a 90 hp Pobjoy Cataract, mass balance ailerons and a modified landing gear.

Operational life

Under the ownership of Lord Patrick Stuart[1] it was entered in many races in the 1930s and in 1934 won a race between Hatfield and Cardiff at 125.4 miles per hour (201.8 km/h). In the summer months of 1935 the Hendy Hobo was operated out of Hall Caine Airport, Isle of Man.[1] Under the control of Flight lieutenant R. Duncanson,[1] a former Chief Flying Instructor at the London Air Park[1] and who had recently set up a flying school at Hall Caine.[1] The Hendy Hobo captivated visitors and locals alike by performing a series of aerobatics over Ramsey Bay.[1]

Loss

On 30 August 1940 it was destroyed by German bombing at Lympne Aerodrome.

Specifications (Hobo)

Data from A.J. Jackson, British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 3, 1974, Putnam, London, ISBN 0-370-10014-X, Page 252

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 19 ft 6 in (5.94 m)
  • Wingspan: 32 ft 0 in (9.75 m)
  • Gross weight: 650 lb (295 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pobjoy Cataract , 90 hp (67 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 130 mph (210 km/h, 110 kn)

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f The Ramsey Courier. Friday 2 August 1935 (p.4).

References

  • A.J. Jackson, British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 3, 1974, Putnam, London, ISBN 0-370-10014-X, Page 252