Edgerley Optica
Just been watching a programme from 2015 and it briefly shows a taxiing Optica.
I know moves were afoot to try again with these but didn't know they were so advanced. Google not much help. Are we to see more of these curious beasts soon? |
Originally Posted by Tashengurt
(Post 9668559)
Google not much help.
Are we to see more of these curious beasts soon? |
There's still just the one flying about.
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Maybe only one in the UK, but overseas there are more!
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Optica was one of those Great Ideas In Theory that didn't translate into a Compelling Idea In Practice. I think the later Seabird Seeker, as well as the Partenavia Observer, demonstrated that whilst it seemed attractive to have an aircraft with the visibility of a helicopter but running costs of an aeroplane, in practice potential operators either preferred the versatility of a helicopter ( private companies ) or didn't give a fig about the running costs ( police & military forces ).
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A wonderful aeroplane that deserved better things. Maybe I am biased as I worked for them for a summer while doing my engineering HND.
Yes there were difficulties including the loss in May 1985 of the one operated by Hampshire Police. I got the chance to fly in the prototype - fabulous experience. We had the exceptional Neville Duke do some of the test flying, a true gentleman. |
Originally Posted by button push ignored
(Post 9669331)
I always thought it should have had leading edge devices that came out automactaly at low speed like a Sud Rallye.
The Hampshire Police one was actually (unofficially?) in operation the day before the tragic accident; it was conducting a search at Aldershot and I was talking to it from Farnborough Tower. |
The Optica featured in a film starring Mark Hamill, called 'Slipstream'
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The RUC in Northern Ireland ran trials with both the Observer and the Optica back in the mid-late 1980s, I had a colleague whose father was involved. In the end they decided on a combination of Islanders and helicopters for their work, the latter for surveillance with Heli-Teli and Chancellor pods.
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Button Push, I think you will find it was the Hampshire Constabulary in UK that had the accident not the New Hampshire Police in USA
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pretty poor takeoff performance as well due to fixed pitch fan , had to put a bigger engine in to make it acceptable. Wasn't to impressive out of old sarum compared to an auster towing a 2 seat glider!!!!
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Great news, now if someone could just amend the thread title? :ugh:
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Originally Posted by button push ignored
(Post 9673789)
Anybody know why the factory burnt?
Was it industrial espionage? Allegedly. :O |
Originally Posted by bvcu
(Post 9673686)
pretty poor takeoff performance as well due to fixed pitch fan , had to put a bigger engine in to make it acceptable. Wasn't to impressive out of old sarum compared to an auster towing a 2 seat glider!!!!
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