Ken Wallis - Autogyros

Autogyros

Wallis produces autogyros for, in his own words, "reconnaissance, research & development, surveillance and military purposes", and his designs are not available for enthusiasts as he considers that although the design is simple it has to be built to the appropriate standards. His contribution to autogyro design includes the "offset gimbal rotor head".

Wallis flew one of his WA-116s named Little Nellie in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice.

Production was at Cambridge by "Wallis Autogyros Ltd." run by his cousin.

In 1970, Wallis provided camera footage from one of his autogyros in a search for the Loch Ness Monster.

In 1970 it was announced that Airmark would produce his autogyro design with a certificate of airworthiness (C of A), that being essential for commercial use of the autogyro. Expected price was around £3000.

Between 2006 and 2009, Wallis took part in filming for Into the Wind, a documentary by Steven Hatton featuring the experiences and memories of wartime members of Bomber Command. The film, due for release in 2011, features Wallis demonstrating several of his autogyro designs.

He is President of the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum, and Patron of the Wolf Preservation Foundation.

Read more about this topic:  Ken Wallis