John O. Isaacs
Encyclopedia
John Owen Isaacs was an English aeronautical engineer, aircraft designer and builder.
Isaacs was born in Southampton, Hampshire on 10 May 1920. In August 1937 he became an apprentice aircraft engineer at the Supermarine Aviation Works
, Woolston, Southampton
. He left Supermarine in 1958 and became a further education lecturer at the Southampton Technical College until 1978.
He obtained a pilot's licence in 1946 and then used his engineering experience to build a Currie Wot
biplane for the Hampshire Aero Club. In the early 1960s Isaacs went on to design a scaled down aircraft based on the Hawker Fury
, this was followed by a scaled down design based on the Supermarine Spitfire
. He made plans available for the two designs to enable them to be built at home
by amateurs. He inspired and helped many amateur builders.
In 1988 he wrote his autobiography An Aeroplane Affair and he died in 2001.
Isaacs was born in Southampton, Hampshire on 10 May 1920. In August 1937 he became an apprentice aircraft engineer at the Supermarine Aviation Works
Supermarine
Supermarine was a British aircraft manufacturer that became famous for producing a range of sea planes and the Supermarine Spitfire fighter. The name now belongs to an English motorboat manufacturer.-History:...
, Woolston, Southampton
Woolston, Southampton
Woolston is a suburb of Southampton, Hampshire, located on the eastern bank of the River Itchen. It is bounded by the River Itchen, Hampshire, Sholing, Peartree Green, Itchen and Weston.The area is rich in maritime and aviation history...
. He left Supermarine in 1958 and became a further education lecturer at the Southampton Technical College until 1978.
He obtained a pilot's licence in 1946 and then used his engineering experience to build a Currie Wot
Currie Wot
-References:* Severne, J. . Silvered Wings - The Memoirs of Air Vice-Marshall Sir John Severne. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military. ISBN 978-1844155590...
biplane for the Hampshire Aero Club. In the early 1960s Isaacs went on to design a scaled down aircraft based on the Hawker Fury
Hawker Fury
The Hawker Fury was a British biplane fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force in the 1930s. It was originally named the Hornet and was the counterpart to the Hawker Hart light bomber.-Design and development:...
, this was followed by a scaled down design based on the Supermarine Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
. He made plans available for the two designs to enable them to be built at home
Homebuilt aircraft
Also known as amateur-built aircraft or kit planes, homebuilt aircraft are constructed by persons for whom this is not a professional activity. These aircraft may be constructed from "scratch," from plans, or from assembly kits.-Overview:...
by amateurs. He inspired and helped many amateur builders.
In 1988 he wrote his autobiography An Aeroplane Affair and he died in 2001.