Overview

A prolific sub-contractor building airframes during the First World War, Boulton & Paul entered the field of design and manufacture in 1917 with the formation of an Aeronautical and Research Division under John Dudley North. Never destined to be one of the big players, they produced a relatively modest output of prototype aircraft and then in 1937 a series of bombers and a small batch of civilian two seaters. The relatively unsuccessful Defiant was their best known aircraft. However, hidden from public view was a prolific output of proposals, trials and inventions. From biplane fighters through the novel turret fighters and into the supersonic age with VTOL lift-fan jets, Boulton Paul were always at the forefront of development. Based upon over 60 years of research, this book recounts many of these radical and innovative projects using development layouts, final schemes, drawings and photographs of mock-ups, models and prototype airframes. Many projects are recreated in CAD and other drawings by the author previously an apprentice and a technical engineer with the company and archivist of the Boulton Paul Association. This book sheds much new light on the activities of a hitherto often overlooked company which was in many respects at the forefront of aeronautical innovation in Britain for several decades.

Full Product Details

9781910809488

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

"Les Whitehouse first showed an interest in Aeronautics and Astronomy at five years old, building his first aircraft model at eight. With relatives at the factory, inevitably BPA would become a key interest. Not selected to fly in the RAF when completing O-levels, he fell back on an apprenticeship with BPA subject to obtaining A-levels. On completion of this student apprenticeship with BPA and the re-named company Dowty Boulton Paul, a career in technical/project engineering wales and marketing followed. This covered many Industrial, Aerospace, Naval and Military electro-hydraulic systems projects and their post-sales support. Because of his historical knowledge and ability, he was tasked by the managing Director with becoming volunteer advisor on company history. He was responsible for saving many documents from destruction and marshalling them into safe storage well before the Historical Association was conceived and formed, and in rescuing and adding to the original company records from his town personal collection. He is currently a life member of the Boulton Paul Association and archivist for the Association's collection, while retaining his own personal archive. A lifetime member of the International Plastic Modelers Society, this volume has been a long awaited attempt to accurately document the airframe ""own design"" projects of the two companies. He is currently part time Technical Manager of the UK design and installation division of a world renowned environmental netting and play equipment company."

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available