Flight, May 1936

THE "TIPSY'' in ENGLAND
A Single-seater with a Top Speed of 98 m.p.h. to be Sold for ?265

   AS long ago as June 13, last year, the Tipsy S. low-wing monoplane was described in Flight, and at that time, before the ultra-light machine had made its complete re-appearance, the performance had seemed to be very remarkable in view of its extremely low power. In its latest form the Douglas engine is of 750 c.c., giving a consequently increased maximum speed. In the hands of Mr. Eyskens, the chief test pilot of Avions Fairey, the Tipsy, during its first demonstration in this country, showed that it did not suffer in comparison with the normal light aeroplane in the matter either of manoeuvrability or of take-off run.
   As might have been expected, the Tipsy S., which was designed by Mr. E. O. Tips of the Fairey Company, is now to be manufactured in this country - though, for the present, the maker's name cannot be divulged - and is to be sold for ^265, so that it will, in fact, be the least expensive aeroplane at present on the British market. At its cruising speed of 70 m.p.h. the range is a matter of 400 miles (an endurance of 5.7 hours) and there is a locker with volume enough for a reasonable supply of necessary luggage, so that this new single-seater can be treated as a serious means of singleton transport.
   Since the machine is an open single-seater it will probably appeal rather to the more sporting type of amateur, and for him the very effective controls will be a distinct joy. During the demonstration last Friday, the Tipsy was made to do all the more normal aerobatics and Mr. Eyskens did these at a low altitude with an ease and abandon which suggested that there was nothing tricky about its handling qualities. The view from the pilot's seat is remarkably good, and one can look almost vertically over the leading edge. Even in the tail-down position the view immediately ahead only is cut out. When in this attitude the pilot is, so to speak, almost sitting on the ground, so that the business of holding-off should present few difficulties.
   In construction the Tipsy is mainly of wood, with ply-covered fuselage, tail plane, fin and leading edge. The cantilever wing has main and auxiliary spars with cross-members arranged in pyramid formation. Steel tubing is used for the engine mounting and for the bracing of the tail plane. The undercarriage, which consists of two separate and fully faired legs, is notably wide, the track being nearly 7 feet. In its present form the engine is started by very effective "string and pull" methods, but the production Sprite engine will, of course, have an impulse-starter magneto so that the engine can be started by swinging the airscrew in the ordinary way.
   For the present, enquiries concerning the Tipsy S. should be made to Mr. M. C. Macpherson, Tipsy Aircraft, North Hyde Road, Hayes, Middlesex.

TIPSY S. LOW-WING SINGLE-SEATER
Douglas Sprite Engine of 750 c.c.

   Span 24 ft. 7in.
   Length 18ft. 8 1/2 in.
   Height 4ft. 9in.
   All-up Weight 550 lb.
   Maximum Speed 95-100 m.p.h.
   Landing Speed 37 m.p.h.
   Climb to 1,200 ft. 2 min. 25 sec.
   Ceiling 14,000 ft.
   Take-off Run 65 yards.
   Landing Run 30 yards.
   Range 400 miles.
   Price ?265.