Market Drayton flying sites
Note: This map only shows the position of Market Drayton within the UK.
MARKET DRAYTON see also SYCH FARM
MARKET DRAYTON: Early experimental flying site
NOTES: I have to thank Mr Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide' for pointing this out.
It appears that in 1908 Arthur Philips had patented his first flying machine. It was made in wood on a treadle lathe and later in metal and the later version was called the 'British Matchless Flying Machine'.
in 1910 it seems he built a scale model with a 12ft wingspan to prove the design and tested it out on the cricket field in Market Drayton, powered by single cylinder Douglas motorcycle engine, and tethered by a rope. Did it fly? Quite likely it did, vertically at least, as it seems he later built a much larger version, presumably to be piloted (?) powered by a Gnome rotary engine. Did that fly? Almost certainly not.
What is most extraordinary is that he had invented a design so way ahead of its time, that it wasn't until Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey first flew in March 1989, with a programme cost of 35.6 billion US$ dollars that the concept was finally achieved. The principle is simple enough, to convert a vertical take-off into forward flight using controllable pitch propellers, and then allowing a swinging-wing to aid lift in normal flight.
It appears the Wright brothers met Philips in London and later visited his workshop in Market Drayton. Surviving relics of this once unique machine have been donated to the Shuttleworth Collection,
MARKET DRAYTON: Private airstrip
NOTES: The evidence of this "farmstrip" came from the AAIB report EW/G2018/07/36 where the location was given as "near Market Drayton". A good search around the area on Google Earth (image date 2018) appeared to reveal no evidence. But, this can often be the case, especially if the airstrip hasn't been mown in a way which would define it.
If anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be most welcome.
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