Gordon Burford

Lore & Background

After World War II, importing model engines into Australia was difficult and expensive due to the country's remoteness. Gordon Burford saw an opportunity to manufacture his own engines for the Australian market. His first engine, produced in 1946, was the Gee Bee, a 5cc diesel motor based on the Sparey 5cc diesel design recently published in England. This began a long pedigree of diesel and glow engines from 1cc up to 10cc displacement.

Burford used the name Sabre for his engines until 1956, when North American Aviation, builder of the F-86 Sabre jet, threatened legal action. Rather than face a costly legal battle, Burford discontinued the Sabre name. He initially replaced it with Glo Chief for larger glow plug engines, but later decided to use Taipan for all his designs. The Taipan brand became synonymous with Burford, with hundreds of thousands of these engines produced and sold worldwide.

Burford retired in 1974 and handed the business to his son Peter. He then took on the role of Federal Secretary and Treasurer of the Model Aeronautical Association of Australia (MAAA), directing his energy into the interests of Australian aeromodelers. He died on 12 March 2010 following a fall at his home in Currumbin, Queensland.

Reader's Guide

Gordon Burford's significance lies in his role as Australia's premier model engine builder, producing thousands of engines over decades. His first engine, the Gee Bee, addressed the post-war difficulty of importing engines into Australia, establishing a domestic manufacturing capability. The Taipan brand, which he adopted for all his designs after the Sabre name was contested, became widely recognized, with hundreds of thousands of units sold worldwide. Burford's engines spanned diesel and glow types from 1cc to 10cc displacement, serving the Australian market and beyond. His legacy continued through his son Peter, who took over the business in 1974. After retiring from manufacturing, Burford contributed to the model aircraft community as Federal Secretary and Treasurer of the MAAA. His work is documented in the book 'Gordon Burford's Model Engines' by Maris Dislers, which also covers his line of Taipan marine engines.

Did You Know?

• Gordon Burford's first engine, the Gee Bee, was a 5cc diesel based on the Sparey 5cc diesel design published in England.
• He stopped using the Sabre brand in 1956 after a legal threat from North American Aviation, maker of the F-86 Sabre jet.
• Hundreds of thousands of Taipan engines were produced and sold worldwide.