Presentation in recognition of Killough inventor’s engineering

Presentation in recognition of Killough inventor’s engineering

31 October 2018

A CELEBRATED Co Down inventor engineer who spent his later years in Killough was honoured last week.

During a distinguished career Rex McCandless revolutionised motorcycle engineering and worked with fellow Co Down engineer Harry Ferguson on a vehicle was intended to rival the Land Rover.

He also created a racing car and invented his own autogyro, a one-man portable helicopter which was the inspiration for an aircraft featured in a James Bond film.

Last week a blue plaque from the Ulster History Circle was unveiled outside the McCandless engineering works on Belfast’s Limestone Road.

The unveiling was performed by Northern Ireland motorcycling star Jeremy McWilliams, who said he was honoured to attend the ceremony.

Born in Hillsborough in 1915, Mr McCandless displayed a keen interest in mechanics from an early age. His family moved to Belfast in the 1930s and developed an excavator and heavy repair business.

He began racing motorcycles, but after his road racing career ended he turned to designing and building bikes.

In 1949 he achieved global acclaim with the revolutionary  Norton ‘Featherbed’, which set new standards in steering and road holding, and went on to win TT races on the Isle of Man.

The ‘Featherbed’ had a frame which was stiffer and thicker than other motorbikes at the time. The frame structure is still seen on most modern day motorbikes.

In the mid 1950s Mr McCandless turned to four wheels and built his own racing car. He also began to work on cars for military use in conjunction with Harry Ferguson.

These included the ‘Mule’ — a light, go-anywhere vehicle designed to replace the Land Rover. It received a lot of interest from the Army, but the project fell through owing to a dispute.

Mr McCandless turned to aviation and after learning to fly from Newtownards airport he created his own autogyro, which can be seen at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.

Mr McCandless spent his later years in Killough, living in an old railway station which he converted. He was a popular and respected member of the community.

Chris Spurr, from the Ulster Architectural Circle, said: “Rex McCandless excelled as an engineer and inventor, particularly in the areas of motor sport and aviation.

“The Ulster History Circle is delighted to commemorate this remarkable innovator with a blue plaque on the premises where he was in business.”

Mr McCandless died in 1992 and lies buried in Killough.