  Read an interview with Ken Wallis
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Datastream
Vehicle: Little Nellie
Movie: You Only Live Twice
Owner: MI6
Used By: James Bond
Status: Retired in MI6 vehicles storage
Historical Overview
Designed by Wing Commander Ken Wallis, the autogyro Little Nellie differs from the helicopter in that it has a upwards thrusting propeller and a second prop to drive the forward. The gyro's upward's prop lifts air much the same as a glider. The first autogyro was invented by Juan de la Cierva in 1921, Spain, when he was looking to develop a light and fast bomber for the Spanish military. It's first successful flight was not until 1923, however.
The gyro created by Wallis runs on the same principles as that built by Cierva but it much smaller and more nimble. His gyros were put into service for both military and recreational purposes. Little Nellie is a Wallis WA-116 but since her duties on the "You Only Live Twice" mission, Wallis developed models 117-21. |
