Martinsyde
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aircraft manufacturing, Motorcycle manufacturing |
| Predecessor | Martin & Handasyde |
| Founded | 1908 |
| Founder | H.P. Martin, George Handasyde |
| Defunct | 1922 |
| Fate | Liquidated following factory fire |
| Headquarters | Woking, Surrey , United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Products | Aircraft, Motorcycles |
Martinsyde was a manufacturer based in Britain specializing in aircraft and motorcycles from its inception in 1908 until it was liquidated in 1922 following a devastating factory fire.
History
The company was established in 1908 by H.P. Martin and George Handasyde under the name Martin & Handasyde. Their early work focused on monoplanes, notably producing the No.1 monoplane between 1908 and 1909. Their significant success arrived with the 1914 introduction of the biplane S.1, which secured their reputation as a prominent aircraft producer.
In 1915, the firm was renamed Martinsyde Ltd and grew to become the third-largest aircraft manufacturer in Britain during the First World War, operating from sites at Brooklands and a major factory located in Woking.
Martinsyde Motorcycles
Martinsyde expanded into motorcycle production in 1919 by acquiring engine designs developed by Howard Newman. These included a 350 cc single-cylinder engine and a 677 cc V-twin engine featuring an unusual exhaust-over-inlet valve configuration.
The 680 cc engine was installed within a diamond-type frame equipped with Brampton front forks. Initially sold under the Martinsyde-Newman brand until Newman left the company, this V-twin model incorporated a hand-operated gear change alongside a three-speed gearbox licensed from AJS. Renowned for their versatility and dependability, Martinsyde motorcycles earned acclaim in off-road trials such as the Scottish Six Days Trial and secured the team prize at Brooklands in 1922.
The product range included sidecar-compatible models, with a 500 cc variant launched in 1920 followed by a sports edition in 1921. In 1922, Martinsyde introduced the Quick Six, a 738 cc sports-oriented V-twin capable of producing and reaching speeds up to . This engine featured an overhead exhaust valve combined with side-valve inlet design, Ricardo pistons, balanced flywheels, lightweight moving components, nickel steel connecting rods, and a close-ratio three-speed transmission.
The company was developing advanced features such as valve gear actuated by leaf springs when a fire ravaged the Woking factory in 1922. This disaster led to liquidation after producing more than 2,000 motorcycles. Subsequently, the motorcycle manufacturing rights were acquired by Bat Motor Manufacturing Co. Ltd, which continued producing twin-cylinder models until ceasing operations in 1925.
Martinsyde aircraft
Among Martinsyde's aircraft lineup were:
- Martin-Handasyde No.3 – sporting aircraft from 1910
- Martinsyde S.1 – single-seat scout introduced in 1914
- G100 and G102 "Elephant" – scout planes developed from 1915 with 171 units built
- Martinsyde RG
- Martinsyde F.1
- Martinsyde F.2
- Martinsyde F.3 – privately developed model powered by the Rolls-Royce Falcon engine; limited numbers due to engine availability
- Martinsyde F.4 Buzzard – fighter variant equipped with Hispano-Suiza powerplant
- Martinsyde Semiquaver – racing aircraft model
After World War I, surplus Buzzard airframes were fitted with radial Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar engines by the Aircraft Disposal Company (ADC) and marketed as "Martinsyde ADC.1" beginning in 1924. ADC also converted the F.4 into two prototype "ADC Nimbus" versions. Additionally, Martinsyde undertook subcontract manufacturing of both the BE.2c and S.E.5a aircraft.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Former aircraft manufacturers in the United Kingdom
- Former motorcycle producers in the United Kingdom
- British enterprises founded in 1908
- Vehicle manufacturers established in 1908
- 1922 closures in England
- British firms dissolved in 1922
- British companies disestablished in 1922