Granville Bradshaw
Encyclopedia
Granville Eastwood Bradshaw OBE
, AFRAeS
(1887–1969) was an English engineer and inventor who designed motorcycle and aero-engines.
Bradshaw's early work was involved with the early pioneers of flight, which led him to become an expert on stressing. He designed the Star Monoplane including the engine for Star Aircraft when he was 19, which he later flew. He then started to work on aero-engines and was the co-founder of the All-British Engine Company (later ABC Motors
then Walton Motors).
The ABC radial aero-engines designed and built during the First World War were extremely advanced and the government placed large orders for the Dragonfly
. A number of aircraft were designed to use the Dragonfly, but the engines were plagued by problems and failed to live up to the promises. The design was taken over by the Royal Aircraft Establishment
at Farnborough
to try to resolve the issues, but with the end of the war, it was abandoned.
He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire
for his war work in 1918.
Following the war, the company and Bradshaw concentrated on motorcycles. When the company re-organized in 1920, Bradshaw became a consultant which allowed him to sell his designs to other companies. He designed a number of engines for Panther motorcycles
. His biggest seller was selling patents for gambling machines, although he lost all the money he made in further business deals. He later concentrated on torodial internal-combustion engines
. Bradshaw produced a long list of inventions and designs, although very few achieved commercial success.
A biography Granville Bradshaw: a flawed genius? by Barry Jones was published in 2008.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, AFRAeS
Royal Aeronautical Society
The Royal Aeronautical Society, also known as the RAeS, is a multidisciplinary professional institution dedicated to the global aerospace community.-Function:...
(1887–1969) was an English engineer and inventor who designed motorcycle and aero-engines.
History
Bradshaw was born in Preston, Lancashire in 1887 as the son of William and Annie Bradshaw. His father was a jeweler and optician.Bradshaw's early work was involved with the early pioneers of flight, which led him to become an expert on stressing. He designed the Star Monoplane including the engine for Star Aircraft when he was 19, which he later flew. He then started to work on aero-engines and was the co-founder of the All-British Engine Company (later ABC Motors
ABC Motors
ABC Motors Limited of Hersham, Surrey, England was a manufacturer of cars, aircraft, motor scooters, and engines for road and air. Established by Ronald Charteris in Hersham, Surrey in 1912, its chief designer was the young and talented Granville Bradshaw...
then Walton Motors).
The ABC radial aero-engines designed and built during the First World War were extremely advanced and the government placed large orders for the Dragonfly
ABC Dragonfly
-Bibliography:* Bruce, J.M. "Sopwith Snipe...:...the RAF's First Fighter. . " Air Enthusiast International Volume 6 Number 6, June 1974. Bromley, UK: Fine Scroll....
. A number of aircraft were designed to use the Dragonfly, but the engines were plagued by problems and failed to live up to the promises. The design was taken over by the Royal Aircraft Establishment
Royal Aircraft Establishment
The Royal Aircraft Establishment , was a British research establishment, known by several different names during its history, that eventually came under the aegis of the UK Ministry of Defence , before finally losing its identity in mergers with other institutions.The first site was at Farnborough...
at Farnborough
Farnborough Airfield
Farnborough Airport or TAG London Farnborough Airport is an airport situated in Farnborough, Rushmoor, Hampshire, England...
to try to resolve the issues, but with the end of the war, it was abandoned.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for his war work in 1918.
Following the war, the company and Bradshaw concentrated on motorcycles. When the company re-organized in 1920, Bradshaw became a consultant which allowed him to sell his designs to other companies. He designed a number of engines for Panther motorcycles
Phelon & Moore
Phelon & Moore manufactured motorcycles in Cleckheaton, Yorkshire, England from 1904 to 1967 particularly those under the Panther marque. They became identified with one particular design of motorcycle which had a large sloping 40-degree single-cylinder engine as a stressed front frame member...
. His biggest seller was selling patents for gambling machines, although he lost all the money he made in further business deals. He later concentrated on torodial internal-combustion engines
Swing-piston engine
A swing-piston engine is a type of internal combustion engine in which the pistons move in a circular motion inside a ring-shaped "cylinder", moving closer and further from each other to provide compression and expansion. Generally two sets of pistons are used, geared to move in a fixed...
. Bradshaw produced a long list of inventions and designs, although very few achieved commercial success.
A biography Granville Bradshaw: a flawed genius? by Barry Jones was published in 2008.