Gustavus Green
Encyclopedia
Gustavus Green was a British
engineer
who made significant contributions to the design of early aircraft engine
s. Born in Hounslow
on 11 March 1865 Green opened a bicycle
factory in Bexhill-on-Sea
, and in 1905 built his first lightweight, water-cooled aircraft engine and soon established the Green Engine Co
to produce them. Green engines were much used by the pioneers of British aviation, for example Alliott Verdon Roe
and Samuel Cody
. His later engines were too heavy for the aircraft of the time, but were used to power torpedo boats
during World War I
.
In 1909, Green was awarded a £1,000 prize by the British government for his work on aero engines, and another £5,000 in 1914.
After World War II, Green became involved in the development of the 'flexible deck' concept for aircraft carriers, his ideas for such a deck culminating in the successful landing of a de Havilland Sea Vampire
flown by Eric "Winkle" Brown on an experimental rubber deck installed on HMS Warrior
.
Green became an honorary companion of the Royal Aeronautical Society
in 1958 and he died in December 1964 at his home in Twickenham, a few months before what would have been his hundredth birthday.
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...
engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
who made significant contributions to the design of early aircraft engine
Aircraft engine
An aircraft engine is the component of the propulsion system for an aircraft that generates mechanical power. Aircraft engines are almost always either lightweight piston engines or gas turbines...
s. Born in Hounslow
Hounslow
Hounslow is the principal town in the London Borough of Hounslow. It is a suburban development situated 10.6 miles west south-west of Charing Cross. It forms a post town in the TW postcode area.-Etymology:...
on 11 March 1865 Green opened a bicycle
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
factory in Bexhill-on-Sea
Bexhill-on-Sea
Bexhill-on-Sea is a town and seaside resort in the county of East Sussex, in the south of England, within the District of Rother. It has a population of approximately 40,000...
, and in 1905 built his first lightweight, water-cooled aircraft engine and soon established the Green Engine Co
Green Engine Co
The Green Engine Co was an early British aero engine manufacturer. It was founded by Gustavus Green in Bexhill to produce engines of his design during the first two decades of the 20th century. Actual manufacturing was carried out at the Aster Engineering Company of Wembley...
to produce them. Green engines were much used by the pioneers of British aviation, for example Alliott Verdon Roe
Alliott Verdon Roe
Sir Edwin Alliott Verdon Roe OBE, FRAeS was a pioneer English pilot and aircraft manufacturer, and founder in 1910 of the Avro company...
and Samuel Cody
Samuel Cody
Samuel Franklin Cowdery was born in Birdville, Texas, USA. He was an early pioneer of manned flight, most famous for his work on the large kites known as Cody War-Kites that were used in World War I as a smaller alternative to balloons for artillery spotting...
. His later engines were too heavy for the aircraft of the time, but were used to power torpedo boats
Coastal Motor Boat
During the First World War, following a suggestion from three junior officers of the Harwich destroyer force that small motor boats carrying a torpedo might be capable of travelling over the protective minefields and attacking ships of the German Navy at anchor in their bases, the Admiralty gave...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
In 1909, Green was awarded a £1,000 prize by the British government for his work on aero engines, and another £5,000 in 1914.
After World War II, Green became involved in the development of the 'flexible deck' concept for aircraft carriers, his ideas for such a deck culminating in the successful landing of a de Havilland Sea Vampire
De Havilland Vampire
The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Following the Gloster Meteor, it was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. Although it arrived too late to see combat during the war, the Vampire served...
flown by Eric "Winkle" Brown on an experimental rubber deck installed on HMS Warrior
HMS Warrior (R31)
HMS Warrior was a Colossus-class light aircraft carrier which served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1946 to 1948 , the Royal Navy from 1948 to 1958, and the Argentine Navy from 1959 to 1969 .- History :Built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, she was originally to be called HMS Brave; the Royal...
.
Green became an honorary companion of the Royal Aeronautical Society
Royal Aeronautical Society
The Royal Aeronautical Society, also known as the RAeS, is a multidisciplinary professional institution dedicated to the global aerospace community.-Function:...
in 1958 and he died in December 1964 at his home in Twickenham, a few months before what would have been his hundredth birthday.