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A white and blue Weir W-2 autogyro.

Weir W-2

The Weir W-2 is an autogyro.

An autogyro is similar to a helicopter, but the rotor on top is not powered by the engine. Instead it rotates as a result of the forward motion from the autogyro’s propeller.

Formed in 1926, the Cierva Autogyro Co Ltd issued licences to other companies to build autogyros using Cierva patents. The Scottish engineering firm G & J Weir was one such company.

The W-2 was the second autogyro built by Weir. It made its first flight at Abbotsinch Airport, Glasgow, in March 1934. Weir also built the two-cylinder engine which powered it. 

Date:  1934
Crew: 1 (pilot)
Passengers: 0
Top speed: 95 mph (153 km/h)
Range: 200 miles (322 km)

The sideview of a blue and white Weir W-2 autogyro aircraft suspended from the ceiling of a museum gallery.

The Weir W-2 on display in the Science and Technology galleries at the National Museum of Scotland. 

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