• Source: Arthur Davenport (aeronautical engineer)

Arthur Davenport F.R.Ae.S (9 July 1891 – 31 August 1976) was a British aircraft engineer working for Westland Aircraft in Yeovil, Somerset.
When the Westland Aircraft Works was created by the Petter twins in 1915, Arthur was one of the first draughtsman to be recruited from Petter's Ltd. He was chief designer from 1919, working under the direction of Teddy Petter from May 1934 until 1944, when Petter left (to join English Electric) and Davenport became technical director. According to Harald Penrose, he was made the scapegoat for the late delivery of the Wyvern and headed into retirement in March 1952.
In the 1920s, when most aircraft were biplanes, Arthur was a strong proponent of the monoplane. Most of his monoplane designs were high-winged or parasol, culminating in the Lysander. During his career he was involved in the design of the following fixed-wing aircraft.

Westland Limousine Chief draughtsman
Westland Wagtail Chief draughtsman/Designer
Westland Weasel Chief draughtsman/Designer
Westland Woodpigeon
Westland Widgeon Chief designer
Westland Wizard
Westland Wapiti/Wallace
Westland Interceptor
Westland Wessex
Westland PV.3
Westland Wallace
Westland PV.7
Westland F.7/30
Westland Lysander
Westland Whirlwind
Westland Welkin
Westland Wyvern Technical director
In the early 1930s he worked with Juan de la Cierva to develop the Cierva C.29 and Cierva CL.20 autogyros. It was this interest in rotary winged aircraft that would lead Westland to manufacture Sikorsky helicopters in the early 1950s.




Patents


GB patent 742240, Arthur Davenport, "Improvements in or relating to apparatus for facilitating landing of aircraft", issued 1955-12-21, assigned to Westland Aircraft Ltd




Notes






References


James, Derek N (1991). Westland aircraft since 1915. Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-847-X.
Penrose, Harald (1984). Adventure with fate. Airlife.

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