Cierva C.8

The Cierva C.8 was an experimental autogiro built by Juan de la Cierva in England in 1926 in association with Avro. Like Cierva's earlier autogiros, the C.8s were based on existing fixed-wing aircraft fuselages - in this case, the Avro 552.

The first example, the C.8R (known to Avro as the Type 587) was a rebuild of the C.6D, fitted with stub wings and paddle-shaped main rotor blades. This was followed by the new-built C.8V (or Type 586) that was eventually converted back into an Avro 552 after testing. The next model was the definitive C.8L prototype (or Type 575). The Mark II was based on the Lynx-engined Avro 504N 2-seat trainer.

By now, Cierva's efforts were attracting the attention of buyers. The first customer was the British Air Ministry, which placed an order for a machine in 1927. This was completed as the Type 611, test flown by Bert Hinkler at Hamble and then delivered to the Royal Aircraft Establishment by Cierva himself in Britain's first cross-country rotorcraft flight on 30 September that year. The next example was purchased by Air Commodore James G. Weir, chairman of Cierva, and flown in the 1928 King's Cup Air Race before being used to make demonstration flights around continental Europe.

C8

C8, C08, C.VIII or C-8 may refer to:

Aircraft and IATA codes

Naval ships

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