Description

This book offers a significant contribution to the aeronautical historical record, describing the largely unknown aeronautical activities of motorcycle manufacturer Douglas Motors, Ltd., of Kingswood, near Bristol, England, and in particular, two of its staff, Cyril G. Pullin and George E. Walker, who went on to make pioneering contributions in rotary-wing aircraft development.

The emphasis in this book is on engines rather than aircraft, and it is with the former that his expertise lies. He has painstakingly researched each powerplant produced by Douglas Motors, Ltd., G&J Weir, Ltd., and Aero Engines, Ltd., and each aircraft type in which they were fitted. He details each engine with technical information, including diagrams and three view sections, many produced by Thorby, and pre-existing illustrations where available. The aircraft descriptions are not so detailed though sufficient information is given for comparison purposes.

The author’s appreciation for the brilliance of the men, particularly Pullin, who designed these engines, is manifest in this book, and the author’s presentation of their work provides appropriate recognition of their accomplishments.