FAST Cody Flyer Project News Archive

Cody Flyer Project - Progress Report MARCH 2008

Firstly, two new pages have been created featuring the names & roles of the invaluable Cody Flyer Project Team and a list of Supporting Organisations
Both pages have been added to the navigation bar above:
Cody Team & Support Team.

The period starting in January 2008 has seen the project move into the most exciting phase of all; the construction! With the background research, planning, and production methods now largely complete we have moved smoothly into the actual build. We are pleased to report that to date everything is going very much to plan leading towards a roll out in time for Farnborough International in July 2008. In addition to the core project team working in the ‘Badger Works’, numerous FAST members, individuals, small engineering companies and supporting organisations are currently busy fabricating a host of fittings and subassemblies off site.

From an engineering point of view progress has been good. We are proud to confirm important milestones have been achieved. These include construction of port and starboard wing assemblies and the front rudder (actually an elevator) assembly. The fuselage has also been fabricated and is now integrated with the undercarriage assembly and tail wheel to achieve ‘weight on wheels’. All these assemblies include wire bracing, turn buckles, and the use of the famous Cody Knots. Fabric sections have also been prepared and stitched ready for application to the wings. We will now soon be in a position to fit the wing assemblies to the fuselage to form the first complete airframe structure.

The risk to successful completion is diminishing daily and we are now more confident than ever of completion in time for the replica to take its rightful place at the various centenary celebrations taking place later this year. One thing is sure; as the structure takes shape we have been reminded how impressively large Cody’s aircraft was and what a magnificent achievement he made back at the turn of the century.
We are still actively seeking financial sponsorship in return for being listed and recognised as helping us with this nationally important and historically significant event.

December 2007 - January 2008

As we approach the new year we are reminded of the main objectives of the project, to have completed a faithful replica of British Army Aeroplane No 1A in time for the many planned centenary celebrations around 16th October 2008 including the Farnborough International Air Show in July 2008. The last period has been a time of consolidation, completing drawings, ordering further parts and materials and conducting further painstaking research into the unique construction techniques used by Cody on the 1A. Through the dedicated efforts of the project team and prolific use of the full size mock-up assemblies described in earlier reports many of the design mysteries have now been solved and the final configuration is now frozen.

From an engineering point of view the project team are now well established in their new home, the ‘badger’ works (see image below), having set up and moved benches, storage, jigs, materials, machine tools, etc, from the main museum complex. This area is providing an excellent covered space for the safe storage of major components and for the final construction phase of the project. The project team would particularly like to acknowledge the owners of the ‘badger’ works and the enormous additional support provided by museum staff, FAST trustees and members during this move.

On the construction side all but a few minor components and materials have now been ordered. On a weekly basis finished components and assemblies are starting to arrive at the ’badger’ works. Items already received include the impressively long wing spars (over 26 ft long) precision castings and numerous hand crafted wood components both for the wings and fuselage. Considerable work has been conducted on the wing spars machining and profiling them to the right length and shape and they are currently being fitted with their relevant castings. All the wing fabric has been procured and dedicated FAST members are currently sewing the complex sections, pockets and seams required. Several major sub-assemblies are being constructed off-site by various engineering companies supporting the project and the largest and most complex of these, the undercarriage, is now complete and delivered.

In summary the project is still on schedule and due to complete in time for the important celebrations next year. Finance still remains an issue although we are getting a steady flow of donations for the project. Check the project website www.codyflyerproject.com for up to date news on sponsorship. However if not already please consider becoming an official sponsor and be recognised as helping this nationally important and historically significant event. No amount is too small!.

Finally please see below a recently discovered painting of the first flight of the 1A. We have found out that it is by a French artist, Paul Langelle. If anybody recognises this picture, or has any information about it, please contact the museum on 01252-375050 or via our CONTACTS page and let us know.

It just remains on behalf of the entire project team, trustees and members of FAST to wish all our sponsors and supporters a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2008.

November 2007

Cody Flyer project –Thames Valley Tonight Television News Article - mpg video

Below is a link to our MULTIMEDIA page for an MPG video clip from Thames Valley Tonight Television news report on the Cody Flyer Project.

If you cannot view the clip, you may need to download the Quicktime player HERE

October 2007

Cody Flyer project – BBC Southern Counties Radio interview

Please find below an MP3 audio clip of a recent BBC Southern Counties Radio interview with Cody Flyer Project Leader, David Wilson.
(If you can't see the player bar below, you may require the Flash Player Plugin, which can be found HERE)

September 2007

Cody Flyer project – Second Progress Report

Following months of hard work by the design team the outline drawings by John Roberts have been turned into design drawings for the manufacture of all the parts needed to build the replica of the 1A. The full sized mock-up of the cockpit and flight control system constructed in the FAST museum during the summer has proven the operation of all the flight controls including the feasibility of using bicycle brake cable which appears to have been a feature of the original Cody design.

A full scale mock-up of a section of wing has been completed and trials of methods for fabric covering has begun. Both the cockpit mock-up and the partial assembly of the wing section have given the design team considerable insight into Cody’s design detail and have served to demonstrate the huge size of the original aircraft. Wood for the Main Spars and new Main Wheels, said to have been made for a rickshaw, have also been obtained.

All the drawings for the castings on the wings and fuselage have now been completed using modern CAD techniques from which it is planned to produce castings without the need for hand built patterns. A company in the Midlands has agreed to undertake the work and another company in Surrey has agreed to make several of the aircraft’s major sub-assemblies such as the main undercarriage and work has already begun.

To support the design research several scale models are being built. Andrew Rae has built a flying model with a wing span of 5 feet, similar in design to the 1A, but modified slightly to be practical and to have flying characteristics somewhat better than those of the original aircraft. Also a small flying model made by Jim Morley was recently demonstrated successfully flying ‘downhill’. Jim is also constructing a 5 foot wing span, accurate, highly detailed non-flying model of the 1A for ultimate display in the museum.

A flight simulator for museum visitors to try and fly the 1A is being developed by the Merlin Flight Simulation Group and is well under way. We currently expect the simulator to be operational before the replica is ready. Also within the museum complex a new display area has been created with photographs and information describing project progress. Media items about the project have also been broadcast on both local TV and Radio.

In summary the project has moved forward significantly and is still on course for completion prior to the first scheduled public appearance of 1A at the Farnborough International Air Show in July next year. However we urgently need more funds towards the cost of building and housing the replica so please go to the donations page on the project website www.codyflyerproject.com to become an official sponsor and share in this historic event.

12th June 2007

Cody Flyer project – First Progress Report

It is now some six months since the start of the project and formation of the project team. During this period many meetings have taken place to discuss detailed design issues with a view to taking firm decisions regarding choice of materials, construction techniques and health and safety issues. Of particular importance has been the generation of modern drawings and CAD representations from old photographs, other historic data only available to FAST and input from our Cody advisors John and Jean Roberts. It remains a firm aim that the project will construct a faithful replica of British Army Aircraft No 1A which is near as possible to the original aircraft both in choice of materials, construction techniques and dimensions.

On the engineering side the drawings and CAD stages are almost complete and various parts have already been manufactured for mock-up assembly in the museum at Farnborough. In particular the flight control system is a bit of a mystery as no detailed photos and/or drawings have survived so we are producing a full size mock-up based on what evidence we have to check our understanding of the rigging of the flight controls and to test how they actually work in practice.

On the construction side various wooden ribs and spars have been produced full size for use in the mock ups and also to confirm the woodworking practices and skills necessary to manufacture the real parts for the replica. Various materials and hardware for the rigging and wing coverings have been specified, sourced and ordered where necessary.

A full size ‘test’ wing panel has been constructed to investigate chord and camber adjustments, stiffness, fabric sewing and various fixing issues.

In summary the project is progressing well and currently on plan for completion and display next year. As a charitable trust we still need donations towards the cost of building the aircraft and any contribution would be gratefully received. This is a unique opportunity for you to become personally involved with this historic project. Just go to the donations page for details of how to become a sponsor and associated benefits.

11th March 2007

CODY FLYER Appeal Launched

The FAST Cody Flyer Project, aimed at building a full size non-flying replica of the first British aeroplane to make a successful powered flight on October 16, 1908, has progressed to the point where many details of the design have been prepared and manufacture is now at the advanced planning stage. Work has already begun to make the first components and assembly of the aircraft will start later in the year.

Most importantly, the appeal for funds is now underway. A generous donation of £1,000 from an individual has been received and the first company sponsor has come forward with a major contribution, details of which will be announced later.

FAST needs to raise around £30,000 to complete the project in time for next year’s 100th Anniversary celebrations, and it is expected the Cody Flyer replica will attract considerable international attention and interest.

More donations, large and small, are required and a “menu” of components is being prepared, so that donors can, if they wish, offer to sponsor specific parts. A scale of possible charges is being prepared. This might range from £10 for parts of the bracing wires through to £100 for a wing strut and up to £1,000 for a major structural component.
These cost cover materials only with all other effort being given on a volunteer basis. Donors who contribute to the project will have their names entered into a roll of honour, which will eventually be displayed alongside the replica when it goes on public display. Donors will also be able to apply for exclusive free tickets to the historic roll-out ceremony and other commemorative events in 2008.

The aircraft parts which will have to be bought, rather than made by the FAST construction team are being investigated and companies are being approached seeking sponsorship. They will be given publicity priority as the project develops.
The FAST project team now comprises over 30 members, nearly all of whom have extensive engineering and aeronautical experience and other key skills.
A small team of engineering students from Farnborough College of Technology are also taking an active part in the design and build of the replica, and it is planned to extend the educational aspect of the project as it grows.

15th January 2007

FAST Launches CODY FLYER Project

Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST), the conservation and heritage group dedicated to safeguarding Farnborough’s aviation history, has launched a project to build a full-size replica of British Army Aeroplane No1A, the aircraft in which Samuel Franklin Cody made the first successful powered flight in Great Britain, at Farnborough, Hampshire, on 16th October 1908.

British Army Aeroplane No.1A 'Cody Flyer'

The project is aimed at becoming the focus for centenary celebrations of this important historical event in 2008, and will also include a unique educational aspect, bringing together organisations which will be offered the opportunity to participate.
The project has already received enthusiastic support from Rushmoor Borough Council and local MP, Gerald Howarth, and a major partnering and fund-raising effort will be launched.

The non-flying replica will be built full size, and with a 52ft wingspan will be impressively large.
Designed to look as authentic as possible in appearance, using representative materials, including some original Cody bamboo, it will be unique as after the first flight, the actual aircraft crashed and its design was subsequently modified.

The design chosen by FAST will be based on detailed plans researched by local historian and Cody expert, Jean Roberts, and drawn by John Roberts, depicting the configuration as flown on 16th October 1908.
It is intended to allow the public to see progress on the replica in the FAST Museum, on Farnborough Road, when the components begin to take shape. It is hoped that a public preview might be possible in time for the 2008 Farnborough International Airshow.

The project team is led by FAST member David Wilson, who before retirement was responsible in MOD for Eurofighter. He is one of many team members who are also members of the Farnborough Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Members of the project team have extensive aeronautical knowledge and skills, many being ex-RAE specialists, and some are employed at QinetiQ and other aerospace organisations. Work has already started on the preparation of lists of materials and components needed, and detailed drawings and patterns. All work is on an unpaid voluntary basis though some components are expected to be bought in or donated by partner companies.

Over the coming months, FAST will be appealing to companies and organisations willing to join the project as a successful outcome will require sponsorship and assistance, both financial and practical. There will be an opportunity for schools and colleges to participate and for anyone willing to offer specialist skills and some time. Aeroplane Magazine is to help publicise the project, and FAST is confident that the programme will achieve its aim of creating a worthy centrepiece for the centenary celebrations.

FAST’s Chairman, Richard Gardner, said, “ This will become a high-profile national project, and will generate not only increased knowledge of Cody’s success, and Farnborough’s place in aviation history, but should attract active involvement by young people and we hope that this will continue well beyond 2008.”