| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | No Reg |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Fortescue Autogyro |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Fortescue Autogyro |
| Aircraft Version: | Fortescue Autogyro |
| C/n (msn): | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Area: | Sydney - Harbour Bridge [ Off-Airport ] |
| Region / Country: | New South Wales, Australia |
| Event: | Opening of Sydney Harbour Bridge 1932 |
| Photo Date: | 19 March 1932 |
| Photo from: | AirHistory.net Photo Archive |
| Photo ID: | 817045 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
Albert Fortescue developed an autogyro in Sydney in 1909-12. Test hops were made from Bonnie Doon golf course near his Arncliffe factory. Fortescue patented his design in several countries. In 1924 he put his rotor on a surplus Avro 504 fuselage to make the aircraft seen at the bridge opening. In Spain, Juan de la Cierva had developed an almost identical aircraft. Fortescue alleged patent breach but his patents had expired a few weeks before Cierva lodged his. Cierva has since been credited as the inventor of the autogyro. Photo from: State Library of New South Wales This photo was added on 15 June 2025, and has since been viewed 338 times. |