Abbott-Baynes Sailplanes Ltd
Encyclopedia
Abbott-Baynes Sailplanes Ltd was a 1930s glider manufacturing company based at Wrecclesham
, near Farnham, Surrey. It was founded as a subsidiary of E. D. Abbott Ltd
in 1931 by L. E. Baynes
and E. D. Abbott to build the Scud, a glider designed by Baynes in 1930, the prototype of which was built by Brant Aircraft Limited at Croydon Airport
. The Scud was popular, and in 1932 a development of it, the Scud II model was launched. In 1935, a Scud II flown by Mungo Buxton took the British Height Record for a glider to 8,750 ft (2,666 m).
Also in 1935, the Scud III was rolled out, though only one was built. Sir John Carden requested a sailplane that could be launched unaided, and suggested a retractable engine. When fitted with such an engine, the glider was called the Auxiliary. Baynes later went into partnership with Carden as Carden-Baynes Aircraft Ltd of Heston Aerodrome
, Middlesex
to build the Carden-Baynes Auxiliary
and the Carden-Baynes Bee
.
In 1935, Abbott-Baynes Sailplanes took part in the Flying Flea
craze by launching the Baynes Cantilever Pou, which Baynes designed to address some of the aerodynamic problems of the original Mignet HM.14
Pou du Ciel. A series of fatal accidents led to restrictions on aircraft of this tandem wing type, ending the company's interest.
A Scud II built in 1935 (ex-BGA 231/G-ALOT) is still airworthy, and is believed to be the oldest flying glider in the United Kingdom
. In December 2009, it became part of the Shuttleworth Collection
.
Wrecclesham
Wrecclesham is a village on the outskirts of Farnham in Waverley a borough of the county of Surrey, England.Farnham Pottery is located here, as is the Wrecclesham recreation ground which caters for the local cricket, football, rugby and tennis clubs and it is where Jonny Wilkinson and Graham Thorpe...
, near Farnham, Surrey. It was founded as a subsidiary of E. D. Abbott Ltd
E. D. Abbott Ltd
Abbott was a British coachbuilding company based in Farnham, Surrey.Edward Dixon Abbott had been employed in the design department of the Wolseley car company before joining the coachbuilders Page and Hunt which had started operations in 1920...
in 1931 by L. E. Baynes
L. E. Baynes
Leslie Everett Baynes, AFRAeS was an English aeronautical engineer.-Early life:Born at Barnes, Surrey, on 23 March 1902 the son of James and Florence Baynes. Baynes was educated at Gresham's School, Norfolk, leaving school at the age of sixteen to join an aircraft company...
and E. D. Abbott to build the Scud, a glider designed by Baynes in 1930, the prototype of which was built by Brant Aircraft Limited at Croydon Airport
Croydon Airport
Croydon Airport was an airport in South London which straddled the boundary between what are now the London boroughs of Croydon and Sutton. It was the main airport for London before it was replaced by Northolt Aerodrome, London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport...
. The Scud was popular, and in 1932 a development of it, the Scud II model was launched. In 1935, a Scud II flown by Mungo Buxton took the British Height Record for a glider to 8,750 ft (2,666 m).
Also in 1935, the Scud III was rolled out, though only one was built. Sir John Carden requested a sailplane that could be launched unaided, and suggested a retractable engine. When fitted with such an engine, the glider was called the Auxiliary. Baynes later went into partnership with Carden as Carden-Baynes Aircraft Ltd of Heston Aerodrome
Heston Aerodrome
Heston Aerodrome was a 1930s airfield located to the west of London, UK, operational between 1929 and 1947. It was situated on the border of the Heston and Cranford areas of Hounslow, Middlesex...
, Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
to build the Carden-Baynes Auxiliary
Carden-Baynes Auxiliary
The Carden-Baynes Auxiliary was the first motor glider with a retractable engine and propeller; it is known as the Abbott-Baynes Scud III when engineless...
and the Carden-Baynes Bee
Carden-Baynes Bee
The Carden-Baynes Bee was a 1930s British two-seat aircraft, with twin engines in pusher configuration buried in the wings. The wings rotated for storage. Financial problems limited the Bee to a single flight.-Design and development:...
.
In 1935, Abbott-Baynes Sailplanes took part in the Flying Flea
Flying Flea
The Flying Flea is a large family of light homebuilt aircraft first flown in 1933.-Development:The Flying Flea family of aircraft was designed by Frenchman Henri Mignet....
craze by launching the Baynes Cantilever Pou, which Baynes designed to address some of the aerodynamic problems of the original Mignet HM.14
Mignet HM.14
The Mignet HM.14 Flying Flea is a single-seat light aircraft first flown in 1933, designed for amateur construction. It was the first of a family of aircraft collectively known as Flying Fleas....
Pou du Ciel. A series of fatal accidents led to restrictions on aircraft of this tandem wing type, ending the company's interest.
A Scud II built in 1935 (ex-BGA 231/G-ALOT) is still airworthy, and is believed to be the oldest flying glider in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. In December 2009, it became part of the Shuttleworth Collection
Shuttleworth Collection
The Shuttleworth Collection is an aeronautical and automotive museum located at the Old Warden airfield in Bedfordshire, England. It is one of the most prestigious in the world due to the variety of old and well-preserved aircraft.- History :...
.
Aircraft
Source: Ellison- Abbott-Baynes Scud I
- Abbott-Baynes Scud II
- Abbott-Baynes Scud III
- Carden-Baynes AuxiliaryCarden-Baynes AuxiliaryThe Carden-Baynes Auxiliary was the first motor glider with a retractable engine and propeller; it is known as the Abbott-Baynes Scud III when engineless...
- Baynes Cantilever Pou
External sources
- The SCUD Sailplanes
- Britain’s Flea Craze (Archived 2009-10-24)