Frank Halford

Major Frank Bernard Halford, (1894–1955), was an aero engine designer.

In 1913 he left Nottingham University before graduating to learn to fly at Brooklands and Bristol Flying School and became a flight instructor using Bristol Boxkites. He served in the first World War, in the Aeronautical Inspection Department of the Air Ministry as an engine examiner and the Royal Flying Corps where he fought at the front. Recalled to engineering duties he improved and enlarged the water-cooled six-cylinder Austro-Daimler, producing the 230hp Beardmore Halford Pullinger (BHP). This engine was further developed by Armstrong-Siddeley as the Puma.

In 1923 he set up his own consultancy in London which was bought in 1944 by De Havilland. He also worked on a turboprop and several rocket engines.

piston engines

• Beardmore Halford Pullinger
• Armstrong-Siddeley Puma
• Armstrong-Siddeley Nimbus
• De Havilland Cirrus
• De Havilland Gipsy
• Napier Sabre

jet engines

• De Havilland Goblin
• De Havilland Ghost
• De Havilland Gyron

References

• Douglas R. Taylor: Boxkite to jet: the remarkable career of Frank B Halford. Derby: Rolls Royce Heritage Trust, 1999 ISBN 1-872922-16-3 (Rolls Royce Heritage Trust. Historical series; no. 28)
• A Century of Innovation Rolls Royce