Rolls-Royce Thrust Measuring Rig (1953)
The first Flying Bedstead was the British Rolls-Royce Thrust Measuring Rig which flew in 1953 at Hucknall aerodrome, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom, which was developed to research the use of direct lift through the use of engine power alone, along with the associated methods of controlling the aircraft, with a view to use in further VTOL aircraft such as the later Hawker P.1127 and Short SC.1.
A pub close to the aerodrome in Hucknall is named The Flying Bedstead and its pub sign is a painting of the Thrust Measuring Rig. It can be found at 397 Watnall Road, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire NG15 7NJ, it is currently owned by Greene King brewery with a tenant landlord and is due for refurbishment as of August 2012
In 1957, test pilot Air Commodore Larsen failed to check the fuel tank levels with a dipstick, resulting in a fatal accident.
Read more about this topic: Flying Bedstead
Famous quotes containing the words thrust and/or measuring:
“God grant we may not have a European war thrust upon us, and for such a stupid reason too, no I don’t mean stupid, but to have to go to war on account of tiresome Servia beggars belief.”
—Mary (1867–1953)
“By measuring individual human worth, the novelist reveals the full enormity of the State’s crime when it sets out to crush that individuality.”
—Ian McEwan (b. 1938)