Cordy Mobilopter
| Mobilopter | |
|---|---|
| Harry Cordy standing next to his Mobilopter, 1931 | |
| General information | |
| Type | VTOL aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Harry Cordy |
| Number built | 1 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1931 |
The Mobilopter was a 1931 experimental aircraft designed and built by Harry Cordy of El Monte, California. It did not fly.[1]
Design and development
Cordy was reported to have worked for 22 years on his VTOL aircraft concept.[2] The craft featured a central fully enclosed fuselage of streamlined shape, with extensive glazing being incorporated into it. Above the fuselage were located two rotating discs, arranged in tandem. Each disc comprised two halves, were angled so as to generate lift when rotated. Two wings were arranged longitudinally along the length of the fuselage. The wings were hollow to allow airflow through them in order to generate additional lift. They could be tilted from being horizontal to vertical, dependent on the mode of flight.[3][4]
The aircraft was fitted with a four-cylinder motorcycle engine, located in the center of the fuselage, and which powered the two discs and a tractor propeller. At the rear of the fuselage was a conventional tailplane with elevators, and a rudder. It was fitted with a wheeled undercarriage, with the front two wheels incorporating a leading link suspension of Cordy's own design.
Cordy believed the Mobilopter would be perfectly stable, and stay on "an even keel" at all times.[2]
In 1931, Cordy was granted patent No. 1,818,116, for an "Aeroplane", embodying the principles behind the Mobilopter.[5] He was also granted patent No. 1,818,143 in relation to the undercarriage suspension.[6]
Operational history
The Mobilopter was constructed at Monterey Park, California and debuted there in October 1931, with it being profiled in newspapers and magazines. Cordy was quoted as stating "No, it hasn't been off the ground yet."[2] There are no reports of it having flown.
References
- ^ Eckland, E.O. "American airplanes: Cordy". www.aerofiles.com. Aerofiles. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
- ^ a b c "You're Wrong---It's a 'Mobilopter'!". Los Angeles Examiner. Vol. LXXII, no. 23911. October 16, 1931. p. T-5. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
- ^ "Yet Another Attempt to Defeat the Law of Gravity". Modern Mechanics and Inventions. VII (3). Minneapolis, MN: Fawcett Publications, Inc.: 100 January 1932. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
- ^ "Two Whirling Buttons May Lift New Plane". Popular Science. Vol. 119, no. 3. New York, NY. November 1931. p. 27. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
- ^ US 1818116A, Harry Cordy, "Aeroplane", issued August 11, 1931
- ^ US 1816143A, Harry Cordy, "Landing gear for aeroplanes", issued August 11, 1931