Cierva C.17 Autogiro

The Cierva C.15 and C.16 designations seemingly remained as mere projects. Cierva’s subsequent autogiro received the index C.17 (Avro Type 612). This was a scaled-down version of the C.8L Mk III aircraft, featuring a 90 hp (67 kW) Cirrus III engine and based on the Avian IIIA fuselage.

Development and Initial Trials

Juan de la Cierva himself flew it on October 23, 1928. The aircraft proved to be insufficiently powered. A second version, the C.17 Mk II (G-AABP), was later built with a 100 hp (75 kW) Alpha radial engine. This machine also proved unsuccessful and was converted back into an airplane in 1935.

The Cierva C.18 Autogiro

The designation C.18 was assigned to a two-seater autogiro, constructed in France by the “Weymann-Lepere” company in 1929. It was equipped with a 195 hp (145 kW) Salmson AC7 radial engine. The sole example was imported to Britain by the “Cierva Autogiro Company” and registered there in June 1929. It was rumored to have later made its way to the USA.

Technical Specifications

Modification	С.17 Mk.1
Main rotor diameter, m	10.14
Fuselage length, m	8.77
Height, m	3.38
Empty weight	458
Normal takeoff weight	655
Engine type	1 Piston engine ADC Cirrus III
Power, hp	1 x 90
Maximum speed, km/h	145
Cruising speed, km/h	125
Practical range, km	338
Crew, crew members	1+1

Image and diagram gallery of the Cierva C.17 Autogiro

C.17	C.17
C.17	C.17