Written and Submitted by DG (c. 2007); Edited and Formatted by NR (2008), Updated by JS (02/2008), Reformatted by JS (08/2009)
“Immortality is in the work that we publish.”
Andy Lennon Biography Born: Sept. 1, 1914 Died: Nov. 24, 2007
When I first became acquainted with Andy, he was already an octogenarian; he impressed me with his mental acuity, wit, and enthusiasm for anything that flew. When I spoke with him a few days before his passing, my opinion had not changed; the man was amazing and the body of work that he left behind speaks volumes.
A ceramics engineer by vocation and a model aerodynamicist by avocation, Lennon wrote 48 design articles and 18 construction articles. In his spare time, he wrote three books, one of which is still in print. His second offering dealing with canards (tail-first designs) is considered to be a bible for those lucky enough to possess a copy. In fact, the late Bob Kress, father of the F-15 Tomcat, wrote the book’s introduction.
Throughout our all too brief 13-year friendship, Andy could always be found unearthing the unknown aspects of model aviation. His well-known monograph simplified the selection process for propellers; his articles helped beginners to cope with the complexities of aerodynamics. Andy was recently inducted into the Canadian AMA (MAAC) this past August, a long overdue recognition of his genius. The wording on his plaque sums-up his relationship with model aviation:
“In recognition of lifetime achievements, leadership, guidance, and contributions to local and national organizations in the field of model aeronautics.”
Andy was lucky to have a long life that allowed him to be at the top of his game, intellectually and creatively, right to the end. Yet, it is bittersweet to recognize that longevity came with a price; he outlived many of his contemporaries who recognized and respected the magnitude of his accomplishments and contributions to the advancement of our hobby. Our lives as hobbyists have truly been enhanced by the work of Andy Lennon. What follows is a list of his books and articles for you to read, maybe for the first time, so that you can understand exactly how this humble man earned a place as one of the giants in the field. Our hobby has lost a kind and dear friend. -Dave Gierke A list of his works: 1) 48 Design Articles 2) 18 Construction Articles 3) 3 Books 4) MAAC Hall of Fame (Canada) Aug. 2007 Design Articles, Model Airplane News 1) Airfoil Selection Part I & II 2) Understanding Airfoils 3) Understanding Aerodynamic formulas 4) Wing Loading Design 5) Wing Design Parts I, II and III 6) CG Location 7) Balancing Act 8) Horizontal Tail Design Parts I & II 9) Horizontal Tail Incidence & Downwash Est. 10) Vertical Tail Design 11) Spiral Stability Design 12) Weight Distribution in Design 13) Reducing Drag Parts I & II 14) Stressed Skin Design Parts I & II 15) Design for Flaps Parts I & II 16) NASA Safe Wing 17) Landing Gear Design Parts I & II 18) Ducted Cowl Design Parts I & II 19) Propeller Selection Parts I & II 20) Speed Estimating 21) Design for Aerobatics 22) High Lift Devices & Drag Reduction 23) Flying with High Lift Devices 24) Centrifugal Force & Maneuverability 25) Canard, Tandem wing & 3 Surface Designs, I, II, & III 26) Tailless Airplanes Design Parts I, II, & III 27) Hull & Float Design Parts I & II 28) Basic Proportions for R/C Aircraft 29) More on Slotted Flaps 30) High Lift Devices & Ground Effect 31) Biplane Design Parts I & II 32) Prevent Control Surface Flutter 33) Stability & Maneuverability 34) Aerodynamics of Small Glow Models 35) Design & Build Light, Sturdy Airframes 36) The Right Combination 37) Choose the Right Prop for Your Engine
May & June 1992 Jan. 1995 Oct. 1995 Aug. 1992 Jan., Feb., & Mar. 1993 April 1993 May 1993 Nov., Dec. 1993 Sept. 1995 Jan. 1994 July 1994 Oct. 1994 Jan., Feb., & March Sept. & Oct. 1992 Oct. & Nov 1991 June 1994 March & June 1994 Aug. & Sept. 1994 Nov. & Dec. 1992 Feb. 1994 Sept. 1996 May 1996 May 1996 Dec. 1996 Nov., Dec. ’95 & Jan. ‘96 Apr., May & June 1995 Nov., & Dec. 1994 Nov. 1996 Aug. 1997 Feb. 1997 Feb. & July 1998 Nov. 1998 Oct. 1999 Feb. 2000 June 2000 Aug. 2000 June 2001 38) Select a Prop Using Thrust To Weight Ratio
39) Balancing the Model - Internet 40) Propeller Selection 41) Landing Gear Principles 42) Longitudinal Stability
July 2001 April 2006 Unpublished Unpublished Unpublished
Design Articles, Model Aviation 43) Glow Plug Heater 44) High Lift Devices 45) Structural Design Parts I & II
Jan. 1988 July 1991 Jul. & Aug. 1994
Design Articles, R/C Modeler 46) Canard & Tandem Wing Designs 47) Hull & Float Design
Nov/Dec 1989; Jan/Feb/March 1990 Feb./Mar./ Apr. 1991
Design Articles, Fly R/C 48) Predict Your Model’s Speed
Sept. 2004
R/C Construction Articles, Model Airplane News (USA) 1) Flamingo Flying Boat 2) Eleven-sport 3) Canada Goose Canard 4) Crane STOL 5) Gull Sport 6) Sea Hawk – Float and landing Plane 7) Swift Sport 8) Dove – Glow Powered Glider 9) Wild Goose – 3 Surface Model 10) Crow STOL 11) Robin STOL
Oct. 1957 Sept. 1980 Jan. 1981 March/April 1981 July 1984 Oct. 1992 Sept. 1993 Nov. 1994 Jan. 1996 Aug. 1996 May 2000
R/C Construction Articles, Model Aviation (USA) 12) Sparrow Hawk – Sport 13) Sea Loon – Twin Boom Flying Boat
Jan. 1987 Oct. 1987
R/C Construction Articles, Model Builder (USA) 14) Swan – Canard 15) Osprey – Float & Land Plane R/C Construction Articles, R/C Modeler (USA)
Oct. 1989 June 1991 16) Snowy Owl Sport 17) Seagull III – Flying Boat
Jan. 1989 Oct 1992
R/C Construction Articles, Radio Control Models & Electronics (UK) 18) Wasp – Tandem Wing Biplane
Feb. 1988
Books Published
1. Canard, 1984, Aviation Publishers, USA (out of print) 2. R/C Model Airplane Design, 1986, Motor Books International, USA & Chart Hobby Dist. Ltd., UK (out of print)
3. Basics of model Aircraft Design, 1996, Air Age Media, 20 Westpoint Road, Wilton, Ct 06897 (available)
Andy Lennon
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