Camsell
H.N. Camsell
Contents
History
Horatio Nelson Camsell was born on 26 October 1906 in Hull, Yorkshire, the son of Robert William Camsell and Mary Elizabeth Camsell (née Lunn). He worked as an engineer for Martins Tobacco in Hull, but he was also a well-known dirt track rider, known as 'Nippy' Camsell. He was a member of Hedon Aero Club and Hull Gliding Club, and gained his Royal Aero Club Aviators’ Certificate, No.14943, at the Hull Aero Club in 1937 flying a DH.60 Cirrus Moth.
Though academically untrained, Camsell possessed a practical understanding of aircraft, and built a single seater parasol wing monoplane at his home in Hull. The first attempted, but unsuccessful, flight weas at Hedon Aerodrome on 5 February 1939, followed by a successful flight on 5 March. The aircraft flew regularly, with troubling the authorities for a C of A or a registration, throughout 1939. - the outbreak of war in September 1939 resulted in a premature end to its career and it was never heard of again.
On the outbreak of war, Camsell became a part-time instructor and assistant ground engineer with Nº 25 Gliding School, ATC. An industrial accident, whilst using a lathe, left him blind in one eye with the result that he was not fit to be called up for military service.
Horatio Nelson Camsell died on 6 January 1976.
Company References
- British Light Aeroplanes 1920-1940, Arthur W.J.G. Ord-Hume (GMS Enterprises, 2000)
- https://forum.keypublishing.com/forum/historic-aviation/105268-camsell-monoplane
Project Data
| Project No | Type No | Name | Alternative Name(s) | Year | Spec (Requirement) | Status | Qty | Description | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monoplane | 1937 | Proto | 1 | 1S, 1E parasol wing monoplane. | 1, 2 |
Project References
- British Light Aeroplanes 1920-1940, Arthur W.J.G. Ord-Hume (GMS Enterprises, 2000)
- https://forum.keypublishing.com/forum/historic-aviation/105268-camsell-monoplane
Production Details and Type Description
Single seat strut braced parasol wing monoplane, of all wood construction. Initially powered by a 350 cc Douglas flat twin motor (producing 3.5 h.p.), later by an ABC Scorpion.
| Specification (Estimated by builder) | |||||||||
| Span | Length | Height | Wing Area | Empty Wt | Max AUW | Cruise Speed | Maximum Speed | Range | Service Ceiling |
| 30 ft | 17 ft 6 in | 5 ft | 140 sq ft | 60 mph/ 52 kn | 85 mph/ 74 kn | ||||
| 9.14 m | 5.33 m | 1.52 m | 13.01 m2 | 97 kph | 137 kph | ||||
Total Camsell Production1