Tag Archives: Rolls Royce Phantom

Rolls-Royce Planning To Manufacture Flying Taxi

Rolls-RoyceHere in the UK and in many other countries around the world, some of the roads are becoming so congested that it can prove difficult to get from A to B on time in a normal vehicle such as a car. This is a particular inconvenience if you are the owner of a business and need to get to an important meeting by a specific time that could have a negative financial impact if you do not arrive as scheduled.

Unfortunately, not many companies are able to afford to buy a helicopter to transport their senior executives a couple of hundred miles from one city to another or to get them from one side of London to the other for an important meeting with a potential new client.  Whilst taxi drivers do the best that they can to get people to their destinations and know many alternative routes, they sometimes cannot avoid the many traffic jams we encounter here in the UK almost on a daily basis.

Well, it sounds like Rolls-Royce that is renowned for building luxury cars and aircraft engines amongst other things is hoping to change all that. This is because the company is looking to build an aircraft that could, amongst other things, be used as a flying taxi.

It is an EVTOL that stands for Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft and it is hoped that such a vehicle will be available for commercial use in the early to mid 2020s. The concept has been unveiled at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow.

An M250 gas turbine is utilised to produce electricity that provides the power for six propulsion/lift motors. The wings will be able to rotate 90 degrees to allow for vertical landing and take off as well as forward propulsion. It is estimated that the vehicle could transport up to 5 people a distance of around 500 miles at a speed of up to 250 mph. So, with that sort of range, it could be used for trips in the UK and for getting to other European countries.

Potentially, the EVTOL could have many different uses in addition to providing a taxi service. For instance, it could be used by the military, on a personal basis, and for moving cargo.

We wish Rolls-Royce every success with this project and hope to see the EVTOL take to the skies in the not too distant future. We will keep you updated.

The UK’s Largest Collection Of Classic Cars

Classic CarThe majority of classic car enthusiasts probably own just the one cherished vehicle that they ensure is lovingly maintained whilst in their possession for many years. Well, a businessman here in the UK is the proud owner of a fleet of such vehicles that is actually believed to be the largest collection in Britain.

Rodger Dudding, who is 79 years of age and features in the Sunday Times Rich List, owns a portfolio of around 350 classic vehicles including the likes of cars and motorbikes. His collection is estimated to have a value of about £40 million. He made his fortune in a number of ways such as by buying and renting out lock-up garages and inventing a paper ticket machine that dispenses tickets in certain large department stores to customers to help with ques.

Presumably, not content with owning that many classic vehicles, he is still looking to expand his collection of cars and has spent in the region of £7 million in building a garage that could be used to house additional classic vehicles.

The list of vehicles owned by Mr Dudding includes cars manufactured over a period of many decades with the oldest one being a Vulcan Tourer dating way back as far as 1911.

He has an extensive collection of Aston Martin Lagondas – two dozen to be exact so, presumably, is a great fan of such a vehicle. Apparently, his favourite vehicle is a Morris Minor that was bought by his father back in 1952. He owns an extremely valuable Jaguar SS 2.5 litre Drophead built in 1938. He also owns moreClassic modern vehicles such as a Rolls Royce Phantom that was only built in 2010.

Here at AIB Insurance, we have insured many classic vehicles through our extensive panel of insurance companies. So, whether you are looking to insure one classic car or a portfolio of vehicles why not get in touch with us on 02380 268351 to discuss your requirements and obtain one or more competitive quotations.