Journal of Aeronautical History Paper 2020/01 1 Reginald Brie - Pioneer of Autogyros and Helicopters Text by R. A. C. Brie, compiled by: David Gibbings MBE, FRAeS Wg Cdr Reginald Alfred Charles Brie MBE, FRAeS, RAF Rtd 1895 – 1989 INTRODUCTION As the title states, ‘Reggie Brie’- as he was generally known - could clearly be described as a pioneer of rotorcraft, but it must be made clear that he was not a designer or a ‘hands on’ constructor. He was in fact a test pilot with sound engineering judgement and management capability. Reggie’s daughter Elisabeth moved to Yeovil and was an enthusiastic advocate for his work. In 2003 she was responsible for creating the Reggie Brie Memorial Trophy, the annual lecture competition held at the Yeovil Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society. The Competition is open to graduate and student members of the Society, to prepare and present a technical paper. Papers arising from this event have proved to be of a very high quality and many have been accepted as winners of the main society’s N E Roe Lecture Competition.
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Journal of Aeronautical History Paper 2020/01
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Reginald Brie - Pioneer of Autogyros and Helicopters
Text by R. A. C. Brie, compiled by: David Gibbings MBE, FRAeS
Wg Cdr Reginald Alfred Charles Brie MBE, FRAeS, RAF Rtd
1895 – 1989
INTRODUCTION
As the title states, ‘Reggie Brie’- as he was generally known - could clearly be described as a
pioneer of rotorcraft, but it must be made clear that he was not a designer or a ‘hands on’
constructor. He was in fact a test pilot with sound engineering judgement and management
capability.
Reggie’s daughter Elisabeth moved to Yeovil and was an enthusiastic advocate for his work. In
2003 she was responsible for creating the Reggie Brie Memorial Trophy, the annual lecture
competition held at the Yeovil Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society. The Competition is
open to graduate and student members of the Society, to prepare and present a technical paper.
Papers arising from this event have proved to be of a very high quality and many have been
accepted as winners of the main society’s N E Roe Lecture Competition.
Journal of Aeronautical History Paper 2020/01
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Elisabeth has ensured that the trophy has the necessary financial backing for the foreseeable
future, and the trophy represents a fitting memorial, in an area that Reggie would have
approved. The passing of his daughter Elisabeth Brie in 2019 marked the end of a period of
involvement and interest.
Editorial comment
In 1966 the Royal Aeronautical Society celebrated its centenary. As part of this process a
special edition of the Society Journal was produced covering most aspects of aeronautics.
Raoul Hafner, who by that time was Research Director at Westland, was given the task of
producing the section concerning rotorcraft. It was duly published and Raoul decided to
produce an in-house volume entitled ‘A History of British Rotorcraft’. The volume that came
from this was offered by Westland as a limited edition and has been very eagerly sought after
since it first appeared. Part of its attraction was that the book contained many statements by the
people involved, in their own words. The task of producing the book fell to Reggie and included
an account of his own activity; this has been used as the basis for this paper.
The sections of this paper written by the man himself are all annotated ‘(by R Brie)’
REGGIE BRIE’S STORY:
Born in Egham on 27th November 1895, he was one of the unfortunate generation swept along
by the terrors of World War I. He joined the Army in 1914 when the war began and by 1915
was a gunner on the Somme with the Royal Field Artillery. He transferred to the RFC in late
1917 and was commissioned as an Observer with 104 Squadron flying DH 9s, some of which
were built in the works at Yeovil by Westland (Figures 1 and 2). His aircraft was shot down
during a raid on Mannheim in 1918 and he became a prisoner of war, not being repatriated until
Christmas of that year.
Figure 1 Reggie Brie in the
Royal Flying Corps
Figure 2 de Havilland 9
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He continued in the RAF with a short service commission until 1922 when he left to work for
Shell Petroleum but remained on the RAF Reserve list. He gained his Commercial Pilots
Licence in 1929 and later that year joined the Cierva Autogiro Company. Thus began his career
in rotorcraft, involved in the pioneering work carried out by Cierva that resulted in an
understanding of rotor technology, which was to lead to the helicopter.
Reggie Brie was employed as general manager of the Hanworth facility, where he quickly
converted to Autogiros* and assisted with test flying, although most of the flight test work was
led by Cierva himself. The main emphasis of the work was concerned with rotor-starting
techniques, direct drive and take-offs, with the C.19 models (see technical annex).
To continue in Reggie’s own words:
THE CIERVA AUTOGIRO COMPANY 1930 - 1940 (by R Brie)
In November 1930 when I accepted an offer from Mr J. G. Weir to join the Cierva Autogiro
Company, the flying staff consisted of Juan de la Cierva with Arthur Rawson as his assistant.
The latter had become incapacitated with a broken ankle, and it was understood that the
employment offered me was of a purely temporary nature and unlikely to exceed three months.
In actual fact it developed into a continuous period of a little less than ten years.
In those days the autogyro was apt to be treated rather contemptuously by the fixed-wing
fraternity of which I was a professional member, but a near fatal crash whilst making an
emergency landing with a de Havilland 9J earlier that year had caused me to reconsider my
personal attitude. Having arranged to see a C.19 Autogiro being flown by V. H. Baker, Chief
Instructor of the Airwork Flying Club at Heston, I was much impressed by its ability to land
with little or no run, and a formal approach to the Cierva Company resulted in a passenger
flight. This led to a short period of dual familiarisation and a solo flight. My rotary-wing
pilotage experience on joining Cierva amounted to thirty minutes.
Following the formation of the Cierva Autogiro Company in 1926, the Avro factory and airfield
at Hamble, Hants, had provided an engineering and maintenance facility for Juan de la Cierva’s
experimental and development activities. The London headquarters at Bush House was
supervised by Col J. Joscelyn with R. Blake as Secretary, assisted by Miss L. M. Crowhurst, and
in 1930 Heston provided a convenient temporary base for demonstration and passenger flights.
Hitherto, the assembly of the many Autogiros which appeared from time to time had been of a
somewhat hybrid nature. The concentration of effort was on perfecting the rotor system, and for
any two consecutive models to have the same design of fuselage, powerplant or rotor system
was exceptional. But the C.19 model represented a significant departure in that it was completely
designed from scratch. Also it was the first of a series to incorporate the deflector tail method of
starting the rotor system (see technical annex). This feature suppressed the need for prolonged
taxying to accelerate the rotor prior to take-off, and thus appreciably reduced both time and
* The generic term for a rotorcraft with an unpowered rotor is ‘autogyro’; ‘Autogiro’ is the
proprietary name for a Cierva rotorcraft.
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distance to become airborne. An initial batch of six was built by Avro, and by the end of 1930,
refinements in detail design had led to distinctive Mk l, Mk II and Mk III model nomenclatures.
Powered by a 105 hp. Armstrong Siddeley Genet air-cooled engine with a Fairey-Reed metal
propeller, and seating pilot and passenger in tandem, the C.19 Mk III, of which upwards of
twenty were built, was the last of the series to have a four-bladed rotor with flexible stranded
steel cables for individual blade suspension when static, and inter-blade spacing in flight (Figure 3).
The next evolutionary stage was reached towards the end of 1931 with a C.19 Mk IV. Making
use of the Mk III fuselage, undercarriage, stub wings with ailerons and powerplant, this model
incorporated a three bladed cantilever rotor system, a mechanical starter and a conventional tail
fin and rudder (Figure 4).
Progress in the design and development of various types of autogyro is described in an article
which I contributed to ‘Flight’ on 23rd of January 1953, entitled ‘The Rise of the Autogiro’, but
for the purpose of this narrative it is necessary to refer to two specific developments, the C.30
‘direct control’ and the C.40 ‘direct take-off’, respectively (see technical annex).
A flight limitation of the C.19 series was a lack of adequate aileron control at slow translational
speed. This was particularly noticeable on the final stages of approach to land when, unless the
pilot was alert, a displacement in roll immediately prior to touchdown could result in a landing
on one wheel and a wing, the consequential damage to rotor blade tips. This problem was
resolved by Cierva’s conception of the tilting hub and rotor disc method of direct control
embodied in the C.30 type. Providing positive and adequate response to pilot input throughout
the speed range enabled the fixed wings and all conventional control surfaces to be suppressed.
The C.30 two seater with a 140 hp Genet Major engine made its appearance in 1933. A licence
to construct these was acquired by A. V. Roe and over one hundred were produced (Figure 5).
Concurrently, research and experimental activity was being concentrated on the total elimination
of the take-off run. Experimentally this had been achieved by 1935, but at the time of Cierva’s
death in 1936 a major technical problem associated with ground resonance phenomena seriously
curtailed progress (see technical annex). This was resolved by Dr J. A. J. Bennett and the
Figure 3. Cierva C.19 Mk III
Figure 4. Cierva C.19 Mk IV
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inherent potential of ‘direct take-off’ was achieved in 1938 with the C.40. By September 1939,
five of these side-by-side two seaters with the 180 hp Salmson engine had been constructed by
the British Aircraft Company at Hanworth. Two of these had been accepted by the Royal Navy
(Figure 6). [The Editor has been unable to find a record of the C.40 in Royal Navy service, though
seven entered RAF service.]
THE CIERVA FLYING SCHOOL (by R Brie)
By 1932 the progress in autogyro development at Hamble had stimulated worldwide interest,
and a few of the C.19 series had been purchased. A growing need for a permanent
demonstration and operational base nearer London resulted in the transfer of the Cierva
Engineering and Flying Staff to the National Flying Services Aerodrome at Hanworth.
Demonstration and passenger flights in the United Kingdom and Europe had already provided a
valuable shop window, but the precise and unconventional piloting technique applicable to ultra-
slow speed flight had indicated the need to provide adequate tuition facilities for would-be
purchasers. Hanworth provided an ideal environment for the Cierva Flying School and Service
Department which formally came into being in April 1932, with myself as Chief Pilot and
Flying Manager and H.A. Marsh as Chief Instructor. The C.19 Mk IV had just been certificated
for commercial use, and initially the Schools complement of two aircraft were serviced and
maintained by C. H. Ashton and A. T. Stone.
The facilities provided and the tuition charges of £3 per flying hour were almost comparable to
those at the flying clubs of the period. An autogyro pilot ‘A’ licence by the Royal Aero Club
was available for those pupils who qualified from the ab initio stage of training. The first male
soloist was J. A. McMullen, aged 68, who later became the private owner of a C.19 Mk IV. Of
female pilots, Mrs J. G. Weir was the first aeroplane pilot to obtain the autogyro endorsement on
her current ‘A’ licence and Mrs A. Jenkinson the first to qualify ab initio. By the end of 1932
five women and six male pilots had become qualified soloists, the youngest being F. J. Cable
aged 17. A few ab initio trained pilots completed an extended course of instruction for the
commercial ‘B’ licence, the first being J. W. Richardson. Over the years a considerable number
Figure 5. Cierva C.30
Figure 6. Cierva C.40
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of qualified professional and Service pilots of many
nationalities attended the Cierva School for dual
and solo familiarisation (Figure 7).
In June 1934 the C.30 ‘Direct Control’ Autogiro
became the school’s standard equipment. The
demand for tuition had intensified concurrent with
worldwide sales from the Avro production line, and
the Cierva instructional and maintenance staff had
expanded numerically. In 1938 the school became
a nationally recognized autogyro training centre
under the Civil Air Guard Scheme but all activities
ceased at the outbreak of war in September 1939.
During the seven-year period of the school’s activities, and out of a total of 368 qualified
autogiro soloists, there were approximately 90 who had not flown hitherto. Including
experimental, test, demonstration and customer delivery flights, the total flying amounted to
9,330 hours.
DEMONSTRATION FLIGHTS (by R Brie)
The volume of Autogiro sales increased appreciably with the introduction of the direct-control
C.30 and its production by Avro at Manchester (see technical annex). A small number were
exported to Australia, India, South Africa and the Far East, but the biggest demand originated in
Europe. Practically every country recognised its military potential and in general these aircraft
were flown to their destination by Cierva pilots, or alternatively by professional pilots who had
attended the Cierva school for conversion training. Lioré-et-Olivier in France and Focke-Wulf
in Germany also produced the C.30 under licence.
Demonstration flying created a valuable source of sales publicity, and more requests than
expected were received for participation at the various flying club meetings of that era. For six
months in 1931 I participated with a C.19 Mk III in the Daily Mail Air Tour of Great Britain.
This was the first large-scale flying circus to be organised in this country, and during that period
I visited 150 different cities and towns and accumulated 400 hours.
Continental requests for a demonstration visit were by no means infrequent, but necessitated
more selective consideration, and agreement occasionally involved a substantial fee for the
appearance.
The exception was when a sale was a virtual certainty, such as my demonstration to the Belgian
Army and the Italian Navy in 1935, the latter involving several landings and take-offs on the
Cruiser ‘Fiume’ at La Spezia; this was the first time such a feat had been accomplished (Figure
8).
Figure 7. With Amy Johnson
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Cierva himself was a capable pilot, and
his occasional visits to Spain, France and
Germany appreciably stimulated serious
interest and orders. On one occasion three
C.30s were flown in formation by Cierva
pilots to Madrid for acceptance by the
military authorities.
EXPERIMENTAL & TEST FLYING (by R Brie)
Although Cierva undertook the initial flight tests for each experimental prototype, Alan Marsh
showed a flair for this exacting work, and became particularly adept as a check test pilot. He
participated in the complex tests associated with the ‘autodynamic rotor’ system and ‘direct
take-off’ and was entirely responsible for the C.40 flight development (see technical annex).
My own test piloting abilities were primarily concerned with the more commercial aspects of
the development, such as obtaining civil Certificate of Airworthiness clearance for the C.19 and
C.30 prototypes. This involved particularly close liaison with the Airborne Forces Experimental
Establishment (AFEE) at Martlesham Heath, where having personally completed specific flight
test performance schedules, I then supervised the conversion to solo of the Establishment pilots
to facilitate their obtaining confirmatory flight data.
Editorial comment.
As the warm summer of 1939 progressed, so did an awareness that Europe would soon be at
war, and the implications of this were foremost in the minds of the aviation fraternity. British
industry was rapidly adapting to meet wartime production demands and the Luftwaffe was well
prepared and fully up to strength. There was however an awareness that effective fighter control
was a force multiplier and planning was well under way to build a system for advanced-warning
and fighter control. The network of ground observers and the radical decision to install a radar
chain linked to control centres proved to be a vital factor during the Battle of Britain. Calibration
of the radar facilities was a key factor and it was here that autogyros were able to play an
important part.
THE CIERVA AUTOGIRO AT WAR 1939 – 1945 (by R Brie)
On 4th September 1939 I received instructions from the Air Ministry to report forthwith with a
C.40 ‘direct take-off ‘Autogiro to No 1 Army Communication Squadron, Andover. This unit
was about to proceed to France, and the intention was that upon arrival in the country I should
be attached to the Headquarters staff of Lord Gort, the Commander-In-Chief, British
Expeditionary Force, [The Editor can find no record of No 1 Army Communication Squadron;
Figure 8. Landing on ‘Fiume’ in La Spezia
Harbour, 1935
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this may mean No 1 School of Army Co-operation. However, No 1 SAC was at Old Sarum,
while No 2 SAC was at Andover.] A week later these plans were cancelled, and in due course
two regular RAF pilots reported to the Cierva School at Hanworth for a conversion course on
the C.40. The tuition was undertaken by H. A. Marsh and myself, and upon completion these
pilots flew two C.40s to France, with a satisfactory function on army communication duty.
During November I attended an Air Ministry conference in London, as a result of which a six-
month contractual agreement was reached with the Cierva Autogiro Company for me to initiate
and supervise in a civilian capacity an operational activity associated with radar calibration.
Three C.30s were ferried to Hendon and on 1st December I became attached to No 24
(Communications) Squadron. Functionally I was directly responsible to Fighter Command, and
following a conference at the Stanmore HQ it became apparent that one of the current methods
using balloons to calibrate radar stations to provide warning of the approach of enemy aircraft
was not only slow and cumbersome, but it was also proving to be seriously inaccurate. Under
the supervision of a Cambridge scientist, Dr B. B. Kinsey, a special aerial was fitted to the tail
of each C.30 and a special calibrating radio transmitter installed. Two of my civilian engineers
from Hanworth, A. T. Stone and Taylor were also located at Hendon for maintenance duties.
My first assignment was to calibrate a main high-level radar station in the Dover area, which
involved making use of refuelling and other facilities at the RAF stations at Hawkinge and
Manston. Initially much experimentation with the C.30’s special radio installation and
associated flight procedures was necessary, but by the end of December the techniques
established had proven the unique value of the autogyro for this purpose. During the next two
months I personally calibrated the seven main coastal radar stations from Ventnor, Isle of Wight,
to Hatston in the Orkneys.
To provide the necessary continuing periodic calibration checks required an increasing number
of pilots and aircraft. By the end of April I was being assisted by Gilbert Elliott and G. C. Turner,
both of whom pre-war had qualified as amateur pilots at the Cierva school; and five C.30s were
at our disposal.
On 1st May 1940 this specialised unit lost its civil status and under my command became No
1448 (Rota Calibration) Flight based on the RAF station Duxford [also known as No 1448
(Radar Calibration) Flight]. Operational requirements and technical liaison with the radar
stations were the responsibility of No 60 Group, Fighter Command. As the nucleus of an
expanding activity my small commissioned pilot staff now wore uniform and, concurrent with
the creation of maintenance engineering facilities under the supervision of Flight Sgt Loder, the
pilot strength was systematically increased by the addition of F. J. Cable, T. V. Walsh, M. S. P.
Houdret and R. A. Pullin, all of whom had considerable autogyro experience.
In the meantime I had been assisting the Air Registration Board in locating the whereabouts of
all the business and privately owned C.30s, as well as engine and aircraft component spares.
These were impressed on behalf of the Air Ministry and found their way to the autogyro unit at
Duxford.
By January 1941 my pilot strength had increased to eight, and Loder’s staff of fitters and riggers
to twenty. With a total available strength of nine C.30s which were either serviceable, on
Journal of Aeronautical History Paper 2020/01
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routine inspection or repair, four pilots and maintenance crews were on regular detachment
engaged on calibration duties.
Until that time the Rota Calibration Flight had been administratively attached to No 19 (Fighter)
Squadron at Duxford, but in March 1941, the Air Ministry decided that it should have more
autonomy, and an appropriate staff establishment. Having been earmarked for other duty, I was
successful in getting Alan Marsh from the RAE Farnborough as my successor with promotion
from Flight Lieutenant to Squadron Leader.
My own promotion to Wing Commander then led me to the Central Landing Establishment at
RAF Ringway and in September to the United States, where I was engaged on pioneering anti-
submarine experimental activities from merchant vessels on behalf of the Royal Navy, with
rotary-wing aircraft of American design and construction.
Whilst I was not thus intimately associated thereafter with The Rota Calibration Flight’s history,
I know that No 1448 Flight was transferred to Halton in June 1943, where it became designated
No 529 Squadron. During 1944 it was moved to Henley-on-Thames. From the time of its
formation to disbandment in October 1945, the C.30s accumulated a total of 9,141 flying hours.
Historically, this was the first and only squadron ever to be created in the Royal Air Force that
never had any new aircraft, for all its C.30s had had previous owners and were least second-
hand acquisitions. More extraordinary still, it started with eight aircraft and by building from
spare components finished with fifteen.
Editorial comment
The Chain Home, Radar network (Figure 9) was a key part of the fighter-control system
consisting of plotting rooms, radar and observer sites throughout the UK. Accurate calibration