Horatio Frederick Phillips

Horatio Frederick Phillips (born 1845 in Streatham[1] - 1924) was an early aviation pioneer from the United Kingdom. He was famous for building multiplane flying machines with many more sets of lifting surfaces than would be normal on modern aircraft. However he made a more lasting contribution to aeronautics in his work on aerofoil design.[2]

Aerofoils

Phillips devised a wind tunnel in which he studied a wide variety of aerofoil shapes for use in providing lift. The tunnel was unusual in that the gas flow was provided by steam rather than air.[2]

By 1884 he was able to register his first patent, and more were to follow. He demonstrated the truth of George Cayley's idea that giving the upper surface greater curvature than the lower accelerates the upper airflow, reducing pressure above the wing and so creating lift.

Multiplane flying machines

Phillips believed that multiple stacked wing planes (or "sustainers" as he called them), in "Venetian blind" configuration, offered advantages.

Though successful, the 1907 model showed poor performance compared to more conventional contemporary types. This caused Phillips to end his attempts at manned flight.[6]

References

  1. ^ Dictionary : Horatio_Phillips
  2. ^ a b Wragg, D.W.; Flight before flying, Osprey, 1974
  3. ^ A History of Aeronautics, by E. Charles Vivian
  4. ^ a b Aerospaceweb.org | Ask Us - Horatio Phillips & Multiplanes
  5. ^ http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1959/1959%20-%200938.html
  6. ^ Angelucci, E. and Matricardi, P.; World Aircraft - Origins-World War 1, Sampson Low, 1977.