The Little World

Of a hairless cat…

The period between the wars was a time of increased streamlined elegance in the design world. Cars, locomotives, buildings…they all got sleeker and more aerodynamic. How ironic that the HP Heyford – designed to fly through the air – should do so looking like a washing machine.

I attached the upper wing and the tail assembly to a fuselage that suggests committee work. The assembly of the model was excellent, even if I did make an unnecessary gap that needed filling. But the fact that it began looking like a locomotive and ended looking like a windmill is unsettling. And there were underpowered engines, oversized propellers, and a whole separate under-wing to come.

And this is one of the designs that won a Ministry contract. There must have been worse ones from other firms…

The only saving grace was to put it alongside a Farman or Potez of the same period – or a Barling bomber for that matter – and try to look nonchalant. The colour scheme would save it.