Brookland

History

Ernest Brooks (b. 7 May 1928 in Spennymoor, Durham – d. 9 March 1969 in Teeside), aided by younger brother Bernard, started his own garage in Bishop Middleham, offering repairs and vehicle salvage, something that would later provide a handy source of Volkswagen engines for conversion to gyroplane use.

In 1960 he built his first aero engine, modifying an air-cooled Volkswagen for his Druine Turbulent G-APOL. Having met Fred Fewsdale, he grew an interest in gyrocopters, first building a Benson gyroglider and then Bensen B-7 G-ASFN.

Brooks decided to pursue the development of a safe and dependable gyroplane. A prefab building of corrugated asbestos was erected at the bottom of the Brooks’s family garden in Tudhoe. Construction commenced in 1961 and the first Mosquito Mk.1 made its maiden flight in August 1962. This was followed by the improved Mosquito Mk.2, the Brookland Rotorcraft Company having been formed to develop the machine, and on 22 August 1968, Flight reported that Brooks "has received a number of orders for a Mk.2 version of the Mosquito Gyroplane. Eleven Gyroplane Mk 2s are being built".

At some point in late 1968, Cecil Golightly (b. 21 Sep 1922, Durham – d. 2006, Durham) became involved, presumably injecting much needed capital into the company. A local entrepreneur, his family owned several large industrial enterprises in the area, including a plant hire business at the old Dean and Chapter pit yard in Ferryhill.

Tragically, Ernest Brooks was kiled on March 9 1969 when a Mosquito he was displaying crashed 150ft to the earth at Teesside Airport. B.R. Luesley now joined Brookland Rotorcraft to undertake test pilot duties. Later that year the Brookland Rotorcraft equipment was taken Golightlys site at the Dean and Chapter colliery at Ferryhill, the company being rebranded as Gyroflight Ltd. Brian Luesley was appointed Project Manager and test pilot and became responsible for producing and marketing the Hornet. Brian Richard Luesley (b. 6 Apr 1933 – d. 27 June 1970) was killed at a Woodford Air Display, flying Mosquito G-AWTZ.

By 1970, Gyroflight were advertising the Hornet gyrocopter and Gnat and Midge gyrogliders, while under development was Sprite two-seater gyrocopter. It seems unlikely, however, that any new machines were actually produced. Despite retaining the skills of Brooks' original production team, the modified Brookland Hornet could not sustain the earlier promise of the Mosquito, simply because it lacked Ernest Brooks, and Gyroflight would cease trading about 1974.

Brookland Rotorcraft Limited was struck off Companies Register December 1976, but the story was not completely over. In 1978, a newspaper advertisement offering the entire stock of the former Brookland Gyroflight Company caught Tony Phillpots' eye. Consequently Tony acquired enough components to complete nine Brookland gyroplanes. As a result, at least four more gyroplanes were built in 1978.

Company References

1. Spinning on the Wind, Shirley Jennings (Published in 2019 by )SilverWood Books, 2019)
2. Autogiro, Arthur W.J.G. Ord-Hume (Mushroom Model Publications, 2009)

Project Data

Total Brookland Production17