Current News
Cody Flyer Project - Progress Report June 2008
The last period has seen major activity preparing the replica
for the move out of the ‘Badger Works’ across to the Airshow site into
the Pioneers of Flight Pavilion which took place successfully on the
29th May.
For the move, thanks to application of the novel ‘transport
joints’ incorporated into the design, the replica was separated into
fuselage, port & starboard wing assemblies and transported individually.
The picture (below) shows the starboard wing assembly being towed along
the airport perimeter road with FAST volunteers at the helm. This piture
was taken at a spot very close to where Cody actually took off on his
historic first flight.
On the engineering side, considerable progress has been
made. As you can see in the picture (below) a number of ancillaries
have been test fitted including the control gate, fuel tank and propeller
assemblies.
The airframe structure is substantially complete and fully
wired with both port & starboard wing assemblies joined correctly
to the fuselage. Also achieved was the design and build of an electronics
assembly which will fit between the engine bearers to control an electric
drive system capable of turning the engine crankshaft, ancillaries
and propellers for demonstration.
There will also be a sound system
to mimic the noise of the big Antoinette V8.
The replica has now been re-assembled on the Farnborough
Airshow site and work is continuing at pace to make it ready for the
show in July (14th to 20th - Airshow Web Site HERE). As can be seen
in the picture (below) work has started to fit the wing coverings.
The
ladies in the project team have not only produced perfectly fitting
fabric but they are prepared to work at altitude to fit it!
We are
now well placed to have the replica substantially complete for the
show, which will form a wonderful centrepiece with a Wright Flyer and two
A V Roe replicas close by, an opportunity not to be missed for historic aircraft
enthusiasts.
We hope to have exciting news soon about the ongoing display of the Cody Flyer back at the FAST museum site after the airshow and things planned for the run up to the anniversary in October.
Cody Flyer Project - Progress Report May 2008
The last period has seen consistent progress across all aspects of the build programme including construction of the companion simulator. Various key parts and sub-assemblies continue to arrive at the museum for integration into the airframe. Preparations are in hand for the move of the replica to its new, but temporary, location on Farnborough airfield for subsequent display at the Air Show in July. Cody’s masterpiece will be displayed alongside a Wright Flyer and other replicas of the era in a special pavilion dedicated to 100 years of powered flight. Take a look at the beautiful replica engine being constructed for the simulator by FAST volunteers.
On the engineering side more key milestones have been achieved. The most significant of these was successful joining of the fuselage with the port and starboard wing assemblies to make a complete airframe. This has proven the design of the novel ‘transport joint system’ specially developed to allow the replica to be safely moved in sections. Other achievements include mounting of the two large aluminium radiators on the struts in the port and starboard wing bays, fitting of the wingtip wheel assemblies, test alignment of the propeller shafts and production of the electric drive system to animate the engine crank shaft, drive train and propellers. Fabric sections continue to be sewn and prepared for fitting and fabric ‘socks’ have been produced for the so called ‘front rudder’.
The replica will take its rightful place at the various centenary celebrations planned throughout this year. As media interest in the centenary grows watch out for TV and Radio coverage of the project helping to advertise FAST and our mission to conserve the rich aviation heritage of Farnborough over the years. Even at this stage we are still actively seeking more financial sponsorship as project costs currently exceed our project funds. Sponsors can be publicly recognised as helping us with this nationally important and historically significant event.
Larger copies of the images are included in our GALLERY
The FAST Cody Flyer Project
Mission
To build a (non-flying) full size replica of British Army Aircraft Number 1A in which Samuel Franklin Cody, on 16 October, 1908 made the first powered, controlled flight in the UK of a heavier than air machine.
The replica, to be completed in time for the 100th Anniversary of that historic flight in October, 2008, is to be built to the drawings prepared by John Roberts based on research over many years by Mrs. Jean Roberts.
The fundamental mandates of the project are authenticity & meeting the October 2008 deadline.
As such, funding and partnerships are being actively sought by the FAST team in order to meet these essential requirements.
Please see our sponsorship & donation pages.
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FAST Media contact:
Richard Gardner Tel 01252 515562 fast@richardgardenerassociates.com http://www.airsciences.org.uk
Project Leader:
David Wilson Tel 01420
23644 davanwilson@aol.com
Project Deputy:
Maurice Shakespeare Tel 01252 683773 m.shakespeare@codyflyerproject.com
Information on Samual Franklin Cody:
Jean Roberts Tel 01252 543740 jean@pinehurst112freeserve.co.uk http://www.sfcody.org.uk