Dowty Involvement with Iconic Aircraft

During World War II, nearly all British aircraft that were built, embodied Dowty products which included hydraulic systems, undercarriage units, tail wheels, electrical instruments and warning devices.

The list of aircraft names that Dowty supplied parts for included: Hawker Hurricane, Beaufighter, Typhoon, Whirlwind, Manchester, Lancaster, Halifax, Stirling, Blenheim, Hampden, Henley, Sunderland, Skua, Anson, Dominie, Master, Lysander, Rapide, and the allies’ first jet aircraft the Gloster Whittle E28/39, which first flew on the 15th of May 1941, also, the first jet fighter to see action, the Gloster Meteor.

Meteor E28/39

During the 1960’s, Dowty continued their association with all the major aircraft manufacturers but not all projects were successful both militarily and commercial.

The TSR-2 was a cancelled “Cold War” Tactical Strike and Reconnaissance aircraft developed by the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC)

The British Aircraft Corporation TSR-2 was to have been a supersonic bomber that would have dashed in under the Soviet Union’s radar to deliver nuclear weapons.

Taking off from Wiltshire, England, the TSR-2 eventually pushed past Mach 1 but had to fly its first nine tests gear down.

The then Labour Government cancelled the TSR2 Project on 6 April 1965, this was a major blow to the aviation industry.

BAC TSR-2 – Tactical Strike/Reconnaissance Aircraft

The Aérospatiale/BAC Concorde was a British-French turbojet-powered supersonic passenger airliner that was operated from 1976 until 2003

It had a maximum speed over twice the speed of sound at Mach 2.04, with seating for 92 to 128 passengers

The British Government made a decision to withdraw from Concorde as early as 19 November 1964, another major blow to the aviation industry, with an aircraft far ahead of its time.

Aérospatiale/BAC Concorde

The Hawker Siddeley Harrier, developed in the 1960s, was the first of the Harrier Jump Jet series of aircraft, fitted with Dowty landing gear, Pegasus Jet engine fuel control system, electrical and hydraulic equipment.;

With its vertical and short take off capability, the Harrier did not need to use fixed runways but could launch from smaller areas like woodland clearings.

Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR3

Pegasus Jet Engine

Among other aircraft to be fitted with Dowty equipment were the Hawker Hunter; Hawker Siddeley Vulcan; Buccaneer; Nimrod; BAC Lightening; Gnat and Jet Provost Trainers

 

F/A-F18 A Hornet Fighter Jet
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Hawker Siddeley Harrier AV8 A/B landing on Aircraft Carrier
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Hawker Hurricane
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Gloster Gladiator
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Gloster Gladiator
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Gloster Gladiator
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Gloster Gladiator
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Kawasaki KI-10 Type I biplane
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Tornado with Dowty Landing Gear
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Anglo/German/Italian Tornado Prototype 03 taking off, carrying two bombs, two 1500 litre fuel tanks and ECM pods
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Tornado Fighter Jet
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Harrier AV8 A/B
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Dowty involvement with iconic aircraft
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Dowty involvement with iconic aircraft
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Dowty involvement with iconic aircraft
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Hawk Jet Trainer
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Bristol 192 Belvedere XG451
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Jaguar Jet Fighter
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Dowty involvement with iconic aircraft
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Swearingen Merlin III B
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Nimrod Jet Aircraft
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Nimrod Jet Aircraft
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub
Nimrod Jet Aircraft
Original photo in the Dowty archive at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub

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