Table Of ContentEDITORIAL STAFF
Publisher
Tom Paberezny
Vice-President,
Marketing and Communications
Dick Matt
June 1993 Vol. 21, No.6
Editor-in-Chief
Jack Cox
Editor
CONTENTS
Henry G. Frautschy
Managing Editor
Golda Cox
Art Director
1 Straight & Level/ Mike Drucks
Espie "Butch" Joyce Computer Graphic Specialists
Olivia L. Phillip
Sara Hansen Jennifer Larsen
2 AlC News/
Advertising
compiled by H.G. Frautschy Mary Jones
Associate Editor
Norm Petersen
4 Pass it to Buck/
Feature Writers
E.E. "Buck" Hilbert George Hardie, Jr. Dennis Parks
Page 2 Staff Photographers
5 Mystery Plane/ Jim Koepnick Mike Steineke
Carl Schuppel Donna Bushman
George Hardie Editorial Assistant
Isabelle Wiske
6 Vintage Literature/ EAA ANTIQUE/CLASSIC DIVISION, INC,
Dennis Parks OFFICERS
President Vice·Presidenl
Espie "Butch" Joyce Arthur Morgan
8 Sun 'n Fun '93/ 604 Highway St. 3744 North 51st Blvd.
Madison, NC 27025 Milwaukee, WI 53216
H.G. Frautschy 919/427-0216 414/442-3631
and Norm Petersen PageS Secrelary Treasurer
Steve Nesse E.E. "Buck" Hilbert
2009 Highland Ave. P.O. Box 424
20 Antique/Classic Albert Lea, MN 56007 Union, IL 60180
507/373-1674 815/923-4591
Photo Contest
DIRECTORS
John Berendt Robert C. "Bob" Brauer
25 AlC Calendar 7645 Echo Point Rd. 9345 S. Hoyne
Cannon Falls, MN 55009 Chicago, IL 60620
507/263-2414 312/779-2105
26 Welcome New Members Gene Chase John S. Copeland
2159 Carlton Rd. 28-3 Williamsburg CI.
Oshkosh, WI 54904 Shrewsbury, MA 01545
414/231·5002 f/J8/842-7867
27 Notice of Annual Meeting
Phil Coulson George Daubner
28415 Springbrook Dr. 2448 Lough Lane
Page 20 Lawton, M149065 Hartford, WI 53027
30 Vintage Trader 616/624-6490 414/673-5885
Charles Harris Stan Gomoll
3933 South Peoria 1042 90th Lane, NE
P.O. Box 904038 Minneapolis, MN 55434
Tulsa, OK 74105 612/784-1172
FRONT COVER . Dr. Roy Wicker (A/C 103) pilots the Sun 'n Fun '93 Grand 918/742·7311
Champion Antique, the 1931 Davis D-1·W looks splendid with its cream and Dale A. Gustafson Jeannie Hill
yellow color scheme. Dr. Wicker. from Quitman, GA, and his partner, 7724 Shady Hill Dr. P.O. Box 328
Barbara Kitchens, of Milner, GA have brought the special a irplane back Indianapolis, IN 46278 Harvard, IL 60033
from the brink with an outstanding restoration . EAA photo by Jim Koepnick. 317/293-4430 815/943-7205
Shot with a Canon EOS-1 equipped with an 80-2oomm lens. 1/250 sec. at f5.6 Robert Uckleig Robert D. "Bob" Lumley
on Kodak Kodachrome 64. Cessna 210 photo plane piloted by Bruce Moore. 1708 Bay Oaks Dr. 1265 South 124th St.
Albert Lea, MN 56007 Brookfield, WI 53005
REAR COVER .. . Captain Dick Hill and owner Dwain Pittenger pilot Dwain's 507/373-2922 414/782-2633
Sun 'n Fun '93 Best Custom Antique Cessna T-50 Bobcat over the marshlands Gene Morris George York
north of Lakeland. EM photo by Jim Koepnick. Shot with a Canon EOS-1 115C Steve Court, R.R. 2 181 Sloboda Av.
equipped with an 80-2oomm lens. 1/500 sec. at f8 on Kodak Ektachrome 64. Roanoke, TX 76262 Mansfield, OH 44906
Cessna 210 photo plane piloted by Bruce Moore. 817/491-9110 419/529-4378
S.H. OWes· Schmid
2359 Lefeber Avenue
Copyright © 1993 by the EAA Antique/Classic Division Inc. All rights reserved. Wauwatosa, WI 53213
VINTAGE AIRPLANE (ISSN 0091·6943) is published and owned exclusively by the EAA Antique/Classic Division, Inc. of the Experimental 414/771-1545
Aircraft Association and is published monthly at EAA Aviation Center, 3000 Poberezny Rd., P.O. Box 3086, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54903-3086.
Second Class Postage paid at Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 and at addrtional mailing offices. The membership rate for EAA Antique/Classic DIRECTOR EMERITUS
Division, Inc. is $20.00 for current EAA members for 12 month period of which $12.00 is for the publication of VINTAGE AIRPLANE. Membership S.J. WiHman
is open to all who are interested in aviation. 7200 S.E. 85th Lane
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to EAA Antique/Classic Division, Inc., P.O. Box 3086, Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086. FOREIGN AND APO Ocala, FL 32672
ADDRESSES - Please allow at least two months for delivery of VINTAGE AIRPLANE to foreign and APO addresses via suriace mail. 904/245-7768
ADVERTISING - Antique/Classic Division does not guarantee or endorse any product offered through the advertising. We invite constructive ADVISORS
criticism and welcome any report of inferior merchandise obtained through our advertising so that corrective measures can be taken.
EDITORIAL POLICY: Readers are encouraged to submit stories and photographs. Policy opinions expressed in articles are solely those of the Joe Dickey Jimmy Rollison
511 Terrace Lake Rd. 823 Carrion Circle
authors. Responsibility for accuracy in reporting rests entirely with the contributor. No renumeration is made. Columbus, IN 47201 Winters, CA 95694-1665
Material should be sent to: Editor, VINTAGE AIRPLANE, P.O. Box 3086, Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086. Phone 414/426-4800. 812/342-6878 916/795·4334
The words EAA, ULTRALIGHT, FLY WtTH THE FIRST TEAM, SPORT AVIATION and the logos of EAA, EAA INTERNATIONAL Dean Richardson Geoff Robison
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trademarks. THE EAA SKY SHOPPE and logos of the EAA AVIATION FOUNDATION and EAA ULTRALIGHT CONVENTION are trademarks Madison, WI 53717 New Haven, IN 46774
of the above associations and their use by any person other than the above association is strictly prohibited. 608/833-1291 219/493-4724
STRAIGHT & LEVEL
by Espie "Butch" Joyce enough that if you know of someone cially those people with baggage, etc.
who is interested in our type of aviation who need assistance in getting back to
and our airplanes, please encourage the central area ofthe Convention site.
them to join our Division. The more Ifanyone has any comments or sugges
members we have, the stronger we will tions along this line that can help us
As you will read in the A/C News be as a group. improve, please let us know.
section this month, we welcome two The weekend that we had the Board One subject that I hesitate to say any
new Antique/Classic Chapters; the meeting at Oshkosh was the opening thing about is any thought that has to do
first is Antique/Classic Chapter 25 of weekend for Pioneer Airport. Saturday with politics, because a lot of people
Sacramento, California. Their presi was cold and windy but Sunday the have different opinions than I do, but
dent is Jon Schmitt. I'd really like to weather improved considerably - they given the current atmosphere in
welcome this Chapter - there is quite were able to fly quite a few more aircraft Washington with the new government it
a bit of activity in California from the on Sunday than they could on Saturday. is most important that we all stand
Antique, Classic and Contemporary Wisconsin this time of year is either together as a group. H.G. also has some
standpoint, and I'm pleased to see a very nice or very brutal, and the weather further information on this in the
new A/C Chapter forming there. gods chose for opening day of Pioneer magazine this month. As small as we
Also, a hearty welcome to Chapter 26 weekend to be cool and windy. Be may be as a group, it is still impressive
which has been formed in Lansing, cause my business involves mostly out if we can approach our Representatives
Illinois. Their president is Peter side work, I have learned a long time from a united front. I encourage
Bayer. We're glad to see this Chapter ago that the weather is something you everyone to be aware and to keep up
as there is also quite a bit of activity in can't do anything about, so there's no with the happenings of the new govern
the Illinois area. H.G. has more point in worrying about it. You just ment so that we will be able to respond
details on these two Chapters in our have to go with the flow. in a positive manner to our Repre
Antique/Classic News. The Oshkosh Convention is really sentatives. These people are the ones
We have just completed our spring approaching fast! It's only a month whom you elect in your home area and
Antique/Classic Board of Directors and a half away. Everything is really your opinion does matter to them.
meeting in May. Quite a bit of business shaping up nicely for our area. We Please keep your head up on this situa
was discussed there. One of the topics may have some parking difficulties tion.
was your VINTAGE AIRPLANE from the standpoint of a new taxiway Next month I will list all the Anti
magazine. Everyone has been very that was put in the field, and the as que/Classic activities that will be taking
complimentary about our magazine and sociated landscaping that had to be place and the Chairpersons coordinat
we continuously try to improve it. I done, but Headquarters is working ing each area. Perhaps you can give a
may have passed this along before but feverishly to minimize any impact it bit of your time volunteering this year
this year six of the twelve magazines may have on us. They are very con nowhere does the "many hands make
published will be color editions. As the cerned that our parking is as con light work" philosophy work better than
membership grows, we will try to add venient as possible. Also, as we at EAA OSHKOSH. We look forward
color for each month, but we have to continue to go further south, it is our to seeing you here!
reach our goal of 10,000 members intention to also add another tram for Let's all pull in the same direction for
before we can do that. We are now right the transportation of those people the good of aviation. Remember, we
at 8,600, so we are moving right along from the south end of the field to a are better together. Join us and have it
towards our goal. I can't emphasize more central point at the Fly-In, espe all! ...
VINTAGE AIRPLANE 1
f3I:W.I
compiled by H.G. Frautschy
NEW ANTIQUE/CLASSIC
Again, please be sure and use only to add this additional burden ($278!) is
CHAPTERS
this address for your mailings to simply too much. The fee does not
VINTAGE AIRPLANE or the A/C distinguish between aircraft types, sizes
A new pair of Antique/Classic Division - the "EAA, Wittman Field" or its use. (A 1-3 would be required to
Chapters have been formed and address is no longer valid, and may pay the same fee as a 747!) The
chartered -they are: result in misdirected mail. argument used to "justify" this fee is the
Antique/Classic Chapter 25, same old "General Aviation does not
Sacramento, CA. They meet every 2nd pay its fair share" premise that has been
Saturday. For meeting location or OTHER GOVERNMENT
dragged out to be paraded in front of
other Chapter information, contact MATTERS ...
Congress in the past. It simply is not
Chapter President 10n Schmitt (A/C true. The erroneous "fair share"
16274), 8245 Cedar Crest Way, Once again, we're all in this together, argument conveniently forgets that the
Sacramento, CA 95826. Phone 916/386 and as a group we must once again majority of the airspace system
2077. The Sacramento Chapter is called make sure our elected representatives (including air traffic control
the "Delta Gold Chapter." get the word that we are not happy installations and airport faciliti es
The other recen t addi tion to the about a number of issues that directly funded by the Federal Government) are
Chapter roster is Chapter 26, the "Ford relate to how much it will cost us to for the benefit of commercial
Tri-Motor Chapter." Based in the continue flying our aircraft. First, the operations (e.g. airlines).
Lansing, IL area, you can contact Clinton Administration has proposed The much smaller portion of the
Chapter President Peter Bayer (A/C that we all pay a Federal Registration Federally funded airspace system used
12034),25957 Middle Point, Monee, IL fee for our aircraft. How much? How by General Aviation is adequately paid
60449. Phone 708/534-6240. about $90 this coming October, with the for out of taxes paid by General
Welcome aboard! If you are annual fee escalating to $278 (where did Aviation users (the Federal Excise tax
interested in A/C Chapter activities in that number come from?) by 1997. we've been paying on every gallon of
these areas, be sure to give these Many of us already pay a state fee, and gas, each quart of aviation oil and every
gentlemen a call. The entire A/C
Chapter roster was published in the
March 1993 issue of VINTAGE
AIRPLANE.
If you're interested in starting an
A/C Chapter in your local area, contact
the EAA Chapter Office, P.O. Box
3086, Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086 or call 1
414-426-4800. If you have any
questions specifically related to A/C
Chapters, you can also contact A/C
Board member Bob Brauer at the
address on the inside front cover. Bob
is the Chapter coordinator for the
Antique/Classic Board of Directors.
THE RIGHT ADDRESS
To clarify for all of you who send
mail to us here at VINTAGE
AIRPLANE (including Calendar of
Events items), please be sure to update ERCOUPE CLUB SHINES
your address list with the current
address. The post office has been
stamping a large portion of our
Through the efforts of the Ercoupe Club, the EAA Air Adventure
incoming mail "Notify Sender of New
Museum's Ercoupe has been given a fresh polish job, as you can see in this
Address," and we'd hate to see any mail
photo. As an added bonus, the 'Coupers also polished the Ryan SCW you see
returned to sender. The correct address
in the background. Our thanks to Ercoupe Club president Syd Cohen for his
is:
coordination of this mission, and we also wish to thank club members Orrin
EAA Antique/Classic Division
and Cliff Howard, Wilbur Eck, Hank Taxis, and the Darrell Compton family
P.O. Box 3086
for their hard work. Thanks folks!
Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086
tire and tube we buy is supposed to go Piper PA-24 Comanche
If they are returned to EAA HQ we will
towards airport {both large and smalll Piper PA-23 Apache-Aztec
see they are forwarded to Hale, with no
improvements. The excise taxes go into Limited Production
questions asked. The address is EAA
to infamous "Aviation Trust Fund," the Antique/Classic Division P.O. Box 3086,
"black hole" of aviation funding.) . We look forward to seeing your Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086, Attn: H.G.
There are a number of other related Contemporary class showplanes on the Frautschy, Editor, Vintage Airplane.
issues that also point out the fallacy of fljghtline during EAA OSHKOSH '93!
this particular argument. For more on
this issue and other important
government proposals that could affect A NEW TYPE CLUB
how you fly, please be sure and read the
Action Update section in the May issue Dave Decker, of Hereford, AZ, wrote
of SPORT AVIATION. Be sure you us to spread the word that he is starting a
drop your elected representatives a Type Club for the Call air brand of
note telling them how you feel! The airplane. After buying a Callair A3,
addresses are: Dave found there was little information
(Your Senator's name) on the airplane available, and he has
U.S. Senate
taken it upon himself to head up the
Washington, DC 20510
effort to put some of the information
down on paper in the form of a
(Your Representative's name) newsletter. Dave is primarily interested
U.S. House of Representatives
in information of any type concerning SPEEDBIRD RESTORER
Washington, D.C. 20515
the Callair airplanes, particularly the PASSES AWAY
cabin airplanes. He pointed out that less
You may also wish to send a note to than 40 Callairs were built, and fewer John Denny (EAA 40749, A/C
the Department of Transportation: than 20 are shown on the FAA registry. 15079) whose restoration of the last
If you know of someone who has a aircraft produced by the Bird Airplane
Secretary Federico Pena Callair flying or a project, let them know Co., the "Speedbird," died Friday, April
U.S. Dept. of Transportation
about this new Type Club, and have 30. Dennis "Buck" Dodson, John's
400 7th St. SW
them get in contact with Dave Decker, nephew and owner of the Speedbird,
Washington, DC 20590
Callair Type Club and Newsletter, 3307 which was featured in last month's issue,
Astro Drive, Hereford, AZ 85615. says that by an ironic coincidence, he
Tell the folks you elected how you Phone 602-378-3688. was flying the Speedbird from Chico,
will be effected personally. We're not CA to San Jose when John passed away
saying we want the FAA to run with no in Albuquerque, NM at the same time.
cost to us -we just wish to point out that A NICE PLACE TO STOP The Speedbird had last been flown at
we already pay our fair share, and then San Jose during August of 1937.
some. Let them know! If you're inbound to OSH for the In the photo above , John (right)
Convention, you may wish to stop at displays the documentation book on the
Wautoma Airport (Y50), located just 33 Speedbird with (left to right) his nephew
CONTEMPORARY CLASS nm west of Oshkosh. They will be Dennis "Buck" Dodson, Karl Klemm,
AWARDS offering a 10% discount on all fuel, oil and his son, Neil.
and merchandise to EAA members Our condolences to Buck, John's wife
At EAA OSHKOSH '93 , the going to the show. Free camping is also Jean, son Neil, and daughter Nancy, as
Contemporary Class will have awards available. For more information contact well as his circle of friends.
presented. The Categories will be as Jeff or Dan at 414/787-3030.
follows:
CHARLES "CONNIE" BLOM
Grand Champion NAVION DOCUMENTS THEFT
Reserve Grand Champion Via Glenn Otto Mittelstadt we
Outstanding Customized Sun 'n Fun '93 was a great success by learned of the passing of early aviator
Custom Class I Single Engine (0-160 hp) any measure, but for one of our and airplane builder Charles "Connie"
Custom Class II Single Engine (161-230 hp) members, Hale Andrews, of Berkley Blom, of Landrum, Sc. In 1928, as a
Custom Class III Single Engine (231-Up hp) Springs, WV, the event was marred by young man attending the Schenectady
Custom Multi-engine the theft of some of the brochures night school vocational training school,
included in his documentation book for he and his brother Harold designed and
Outstanding In Type awards will be his award winning Navion Super 260. built a high wing parasol monoplane.
given for the following categories: Hale's documentation, considered by the Connie attempted to fly it from his home
judges as one of the best they had seen, in Schenectady, NY to the West coast,
Champion
included a section in the back featuring 5 but was forced to return home after a fire
Beech Single Engine
or 6 original factory brochures, collected damaged the airplane during repairs
Beech Multi Engine
by Hale's father Earl. Hale's Navion has after a precautionary landing in
Bellanca
been in the family since it was purchased Wisconsin. Connie then repaired the
Cessna 150
new by his father in 1951. airplane and flew home. His journey
Cessna 170-172-175
Unfortunately, sometime during the took 17 days, including 10 days for him to
Cessna 180-182-210
last half of the week during Sun 'n Fun rebuild the wing and recover the
Cessna 310
'93, someone apparently took the airplane!
Mooney
brochures from the book. Hale was Well-known by many in the Landrum,
Piper PA-18 Super Cub
disappointed, to say the least, and would SC area, Connie passed away Dec 23,
Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer
very much like to see the items returned. 1992. ...
VINTAGE AIRPLANE 3
PASS IT 10
- - I]
An information exchange column with input from our readers.
waukee, WI. Not once but THREE bat Tactics. I had to look up the director
times. He is really going" Sappy" over and shake his hand. This man is a real
an Aeronca C-3. ANY Aeronca C-3. PRO.
Bob is a very early EAA member, retired From Ft. R ucker we beat a path to
by Buck Hilbert from Republic Airlines, still flying for fun Birmingham, AL and there we invited
(EAA 21 , Ale 5) and business after ten years of retirement. ourselves to a personally conducted tour
P.O. Box 424 He has a stable of airplanes including a of the normally closed on Monday Birm
Baby Ace he built way back in '53, a cou ingham Museum of Flight. Sometimes I
Union, IL 60180
ple of other hangar queens, a Bonanza think this Museum is one of Birming
and a King Air that he uses for going ham's best kept secrets, but it is coming
places. He plans on dropping in here at into its own. Dick Simpson, one of the
Here I sit in a perfect FUNK! To the Funny Farm after I get back from my museum foundation officers and a con
those of you who need an exact descrip spring fishing trip to western Ontario, stant volunteer, gave us the tour. They
tion of FUNK, there is no description, re Canada. are on an expansion program right now,
ally. It's the frame of mind that exists Anyway, I have had calls from just and it was great to see how far they have
when spring finally arrives up here in the about everyone in the country this past corne since our last visit. There are some
frozen North, and all of a sudden the SAP week. Even the San Diego Glue Angels really beautiful sport aviation airplanes
starts to run! And run and RUN and all checked in . There is all sorts of good on display, and aT-6 that is so original
true aviators begin to get sappy. news from out-that way. Bill Allen is and so free of the usual scratch and dents,
I have had more phone calls in the building a new hangar complex at Gille that it would take your breath away.
past two weeks since I have been home spie Field. Addison Pemberton is taking We missed Glen Messer, though. Glen
from Sun 'n Fun, than I can possibly keep that "Bull" Stearman everywhere and is well known as a pioneer in aviation.
track of. Here I am trying to relicense the starting a new project, and my Japanese One of the last five surviving " Early
C-3, the Champ, as well as get all the back friend Hiroshi Morita has his Fleet flying Birds" and a founding member of so
burner chores done, and I can't get away again after Bob Von Willer got it up and many aviation organizations, as well as a
from the phone. Trouble is, I like talking going. record setter of long reknown, Glen still
to people and can't bring myself to shut On the way home from Florida, maintains an office in the Museum, and
them off. Dorothy and I stopped at the Army Avia acts as official "Greeter." Even though
Had a nice conversation with a fella tion Museum at Fort Rucker, AL. Hey, he is almost blind, Glen will recognize a
named Bob Green from Loveland, CO they have done wonders with organizing voice or a name and enthusiastically make
the other day. Bob called all in a dither their displays in their NEW building. a person welcome. I'd advise anyone vis
because a neighbor was having a garage They have a neat entrance display of iting the Birmingham area to stop in and
sale and in the lot were a pair of Jenny Army Aviator Flight clothing in bronze, say hello to this wonderful person and
wheels. Bob wanted to know how much and they have some really neat airplanes shake hands with a REAL Aviator. They
to offer for them. He had absolutely no now on display. don't make them like that anymore.
use for them, but he wanted to preserve A Jenny, a real SE SA, a nice grouping And so I'm off to Canada! Watch out
them. Know the feeling? of early "L" planes and some very realis Walleyes, here I come! Until I get back,
Then Bob O'Conner called from Mil- tic dioramas depicting Helicopter Com hold the phone calls! Over to you! ...
At the entrance to the Army Aviation Museum at Ft. Rucker, AL,
In the Army Aviation Museum this Jenny is one of the featured visitors are presented with this "bronze" display of the history
aircraft on display. of Army Aviation clothing.
4 JUNE 1993
MYSTERY PLANE
by George Hardie
This nifty sport plane was another Sedan' according to the manufacturer's craft in traveling between his offices
victim of the slow recovery after the advertising in A VIATION magazine. and laboratories in Kansas City, New
Great Depression. The photo was sent Others say it was called A-529 or A-629. York and Los Angeles, and he esti
in by Owen Billman of Mayfield, New To add to this confusion, it was first reg mates that he will save between $40,000
York. Answers will be published in the istered under the name 'Model T-C.' and $50,000 annually in time and travel
September 1993 issue of VINTAGE "The airplane had two Siemens ling expenses. I wonder if it worked out
AIRPLANE. Deadline for that issue is Halske radial engines (125 hp each) that way.
July 20. which were mounted remarkably close "Published pictures show the regis
The March Mystery evidently was a to the fuselage. The pilot sat in an open tration number 10070, but as first regis
mystery to many readers, for only five cockpit in front of the wing. Behind tered it was assigned number 364. My
replies were received. From far away him was a closed cabin with room for sources are AVIATION for February
Sweden came this answer from Lennart five people. Wingspan was 47 feet. 2, February 23, March 2, May 4,1929
Johnsson of Eldsberga: When the machine was test flown in and AERO DIGEST for February
"The airplane shown is an American Kansas City in early 1929, it took off in 1929."
Eagle, custom built in 1929 for Dr. WaI 200 feet and attained a cruising speed of Ralph Nortell of Spokane, Washing
ter M. Cross, a chemist from Kansas 90 mph. Landing speed was 45 mph. ton adds this:
City. Its designation was 'Model 60 "Dr. Cross intended to use the new "The March Mystery Plane is the
'one-off' example of an American Ea
gle design built in early 1929. Quite ad
American Eagle Model 60 Sedan vanced for its time, it was powered by
two Siemens-Halske engines. It was re
ported to be a good load carrier having
been test flown on one engine. After a
gross load test flight with Charles Toth
at the controls, the landing gear col
lapsed on landing, resulting in severe
damage.
"The plane was built for Dr. Walter
M. Cross of Kansas City whose inten
tion was to apply to the Department of
Commerce for an A TC. But before the
prototype could be rebuilt, the 1929
stock market collapse devastated the
market for airplanes."
Other answers were received from
Charley Hayes of Park Forest, Illinois,
Robert Clark, Oxnard, CA and Marty
Eisenmann of Garrettsville, Ohio. ..
JUNE 1993 5
VI~TA(3~ LIT~12ATU12~
by [)en nis
Vark.s~
Library [)irect ur
/~rchives
Project/or a Low Priced Airplane
In November, 1933 Eugene Vidal, Di lots and mechanics. They were asked if would design and manufacture a cheap
rector of Aeronautics of the U.S. Depart they would be interested in such an air airplane.
ment of Commerce, announced that the plane at a price of $700. About 18,000 Problems arose from the very begin
Department was taking the initiative in replies were received, with 13,000 saying ning. Legal counsel for the Public Works
seeking a method whereby airplanes they would purchase such an aircraft. Not Administration decided that the money
might be made available to the general surprising as such an airplane would be could only go to public works and that
public at a price low enough to make pos $300 to $500 less than anything on the there was nothing "public" about private
sible widespread private ownership. Such market. About 5,000 said they would not airplanes for the masses. So the funds
a vehicle became known as the $700 air purchase. With the results of the survey in were rescinded. Some companies already
plane -the selling price of popular auto hand, Vidal believed there was a market manufacturing light aircraft claimed that
mobiles of the time. for upwards of 10,000 of the $700 air the publicity already had caused poten
Vidal conceived that such an airplane planes. tial buyers to wait on the ephemeral
would be a two- or three-seat all metal Assured that a substantial potential poor-man's plane than purchase an exist
airplane. The plane would be cheap be market existed for such a plane, Vidal ap ing design. Waldo Waterman in his book,
cause it would be mass-produced using proached the Public Works Administra WALDO: PIONEER AVIATOR stated,
automotive industry methods. It would tion for funding. The agency, one of the "Vidal's quest for a '$700 airplane' all but
also be rugged and easy to repair with the numerous federal agencies established in destroyed what little aircraft industry
costs of owning and operating the ma the depression to battle unemployment, there was still surviving the Depression."
chine less than that of an average-priced allotted $500,000 for the project. Vidal
automobile. felt that the funds channeled through a
A market survey was undertaken by consortium of existing aircraft builders AERO DIGEST
the Aeronautics Branch with question would be used to hire unemployed engi
naires sent to licensed pilots, student pi neers, draftsmen, and craftsmen who The reaction in the aviation press of
the time was not very favorable. In an
editorial in the December 1933 issue of
AERO DIGEST Frank Tichenor stated,
"It is no secret that the hard-working and
hard-pressed Aeronautics Branch has
been under pressure for some time to do
for private flying something big, spectac
ular, and constructive.
"But it was indeed regrettable that
Mr. Vidal's questionnaire, which he must
know caused a veritable storm upon
many airports, left the erroneous impres
sion that the Aeronautics Branch had a
specific and definite plane in view when
it presented its proposal to American
fliers.
"We are not surprised that there are
many private pilots who would like such
a ship at $700. According to the figures
of the Labor Department there are some
c. 10,000,000 people who would like a fif
(QfJ) teen-cent dinner; but not only does such
iil a dinner appear non-existent, but often
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conspicuously absent.
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"We commend the Aeronautics
Shy handsome Gene and his tailless machine. Branch for its efforts in attempting to
6 JUNE 1993
bring the light airplane manufacturer in USED PLANES "The most important detail of an air
touch with the current market but let no plane, as of any other manufactured prod
one who is at present in the market for And in the 99'ER, Clara Gilbert in her uct, is its price. Granted an airplane should
any of the excellent low-priced airplanes comments "Are Air Flivvers Feasible?" be safe, no matter how safe it may be, it
now available hesitate in making his pur raised the question of used aircraft. cannot be sold in numbers if it is too ex
chase because of the Department's ques "There are available , at the moment, pensive. It is useless to make a plane safe
tionnaire. The prospects of an early ful many used ships for sale at figures well if it won't be purchased, and thus won't be
fillment of the $700 airplane idea is too under $1 ,000. Among them are to be flown. The majority of Americans buy au
remote to let it be the means of curtailing found not only two place, but three and tomobiles which sell for less than $1 ,000
the sales of tried and proven aircraft." four place ships, cabin jobs as well as open and are inexpensive to operate and main
cockpit models, and the majority are capa tain. They are quite accustomed to the
ble of speeds well in excess of 100 miles an price range between $500 and $1,000, and
AVIATION hour. If there is no market for these air it goes without saying that an airplane for
planes, how then does the Government that price, sold on the installment plan,
In the December 1933 issue of AVIA propose to stimulate sufficient interest in would have a popular appeal."
TION the editor, Edward P. Warner, private and sport flying to dispose of Vidal felt that the automobile driver
asked "$700? And How? It is frequently 10,000 smaller slower planes which will was the customer for the $700 plane and
a matter of some little difficulty to pick only carry two passengers, at a price ap that this customer had become accus
the particular story which deserves the proximating that of these used ships?" tomed to details of an automobile, its ap
preeminent position of our new pages, pearance, material, control, etc. He stated
but this month there could be no doubt. that a car made of fabric couldn't possibly
The announcement from the Department AERO DIGEST ON FUNDING sell. As metal is durable and strong, so the
of Commerce that Director Vidal has un airplane should be.
dertaken to solici t expressions of willing In the February 1934 issue of AERO He believed metal construction was
ness to buy a new airplane of specified DIGEST, the editor, Edward P. Warner, important from other viewpoints. Produc
characteristics, and that the characteris presented his views in "Notes on a $700 tion methods used for the automotive in
tics include a price of $700, has set the Airplane." He stated, "When Director of dustry could be adopted to airplane manu
high-water-mark in news excitement not Aeronautics Vidal launched his famous facture such as the mass stamping of parts.
only for November but for a much longer private plane questionnaire, a considerable Techniques of assembly and of mainte
period. segment of the aircraft industry thought it a nance and repair would suggest methods
"The idea is amusing in its very sim joke -and not a particularly funny one. for volume production of airplanes.
plicity. The industry may not sell 10,000 When he persuaded the Public Works Ad The appearance of an airplane must be
airplanes, or even any large part thereof, ministration to make over $500,000 to pro attractive and in its details and remind the
but at least we shall have a lot of new in mote the realization of the project as a car driver of his car. He also felt that the
formation. Aside from some temporary means of developing a new industry to pro popular plane should look like a modern
unsettlement of the market for existing vide new employment, the joke ended. passenger transport. "To the casual eye
types of aircraft, we believe the results Half a million dollars are to be regarded the small airplane would appear as a
will be good. But there is a word of cau seriously, even in days when federal expen scaled-down reproduction of the airliners
tion that should be said and point that ditures run to six billion and higher. which now are flying." Also, the small air
should be made. In response to a request of A VIA plane would require little professional
"Extreme care must be used in inter TION, Eugene Vidal, Director of Aero training and skills necessary to fly it.
preting the results of the market survey. nautics, U.S. Department of Commerce, Vidal concluded his comments with the
There are plenty of people who will gaily prepared an official view concerning the following: "An airplane can be built for
write 'YES' on a piece of paper, but who interest of the Department in the private $700, and the Public Works allotment as
will not be nearly so ready to write their airplane market. His response was pub sures that difficulties in the way of initiat
names at the bottom of checks for $700 lished in the February 1934 issue of A VI ing the program can be met. Volume pro
each. AnON under the title "Low-Priced Air duction will make the airplane possible,
"But there is another point. We be plane." and it also will react to the benefit of the
lieve that 10,000 airplanes of quality "Private flying, measured in terms of entire industry, stimulating employment
could be built for $700 apiece by a single active pilots, planes, and their use is on the in factories, increasing the business of air
manufacturer who received a single order decline. After fifteen years or so of the ports, affording new opportunities for em
for 10,000 machines. They cannot be built building of planes for miscellaneous flying, ployment of pilots and mechanics.
for any such price under the conditions there are less than 7,000 licensed airplanes "Indirectly, the renewed interest in fly
that existed in 1929 with about 180 manu in this country of 120,000,00 people. ing undoubtedly will direct attention of
facturers scrambling over each other af "It might be well to assume that there more people upon the services offered by
ter every individual sale and with no sin may be something wrong with the product the scheduled airlines. There should be a
gle factory setting up production of more which we now are attempting to sell, that development analogous to that which has
than a few hundred ships. An essential the market exists for something different. taken place in the automobile, radio, re
condition precedent to the successful ac It also might be well to overlook entirely frigerator and other industries. And just
complishment of the Vidal plan is that the attitude of the pilots who already have as the introduction of these articles has
the aircraft industry should cooperate as learned to fly (who would like to have a been a stimulus to business in general, the
no industry has ever cooperated before. faster plane) and concentrate on the aver low-priced airplane has an opportunity to
"It would have to be turned out in age American citizen who may not be an add to the scope of commercial activities."
many plants, with wings built at A and aviation enthusiast. Also it might be well
landing gear at B and assembly taken to cease planning planes which the indus
care of at C, and then it will have to be try feels that the future pilot should have A NEW COURSE FOR THE BUREAU
the subject of a concentrated sales cam and plan one which would appeal to the
paign in which all effort is merged to get United States citizen even though it may The withdrawal of funds by the Public
as many people as possible into the air. not be as desirable to every pilot and de Works Administration did not thwart Vi
We don't know that can be done." signer. dal in his efforts in pursuing the deveJop-
VINTAGE AIRPLANE 7
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The caption from Aero Digest read: Wind tunnel model of the Hammond Model Y of which fifteen were ordered by the Bureau of
Air Commerce. A low wing two-place cabin pusher, it will be powered by the four-cylinder inverted Menasco. From its three
wheel undercarriage it expects many unorthodox abilities designed to simplify the task of the amateur, promote general safety.
ment of the low-priced airplane. Under of 1929 in the light airplane specifications Chicago; Waldo Waterman of Santa
his direction the Bureau of Aeronautics issued recently by the Department of Monica, CA; Hartford Aircraft; Curtiss
created a development section to foster Commerce. In sponsoring the develop Wright, Robertson, MO; Hammond Air
the design, construction, and develop ment of such a design by calling for bids craft, Ypsilanti, MI; Niagara Amphibions,
ment of safer, easier operated, more for 25 planes for the use of his inspectors, Buffalo, NY; St. Louis Aircraft Corp., St.
comfortable and lower priced airplanes Aeronautics Director Eugene Vidal be Louis; Arrow Aircraft, Lincoln, NE;
for private owners. lieves that the simplicity and safety of op Spartan Aircraft, Tulsa; Kreider-Reisner,
The Bureau had no budget for devel eration and low operating cost will attract Hagerstown, MD; Cunningham-Hall,
opment, but it did have funds for pur many new private owners." Rochester, NY; Amphibions, Roosevelt
chasing aircraft to be flown by its inspec The editor remarked that several aero Field, Long Island.
tors as they traveled around the country. nautical engineers had been thinking
Later from a special appropriation of along the same lines and included in the
$1,000,000 which was to be used at the same issue an article about the experi BUREAU AWARDS
discretion of the President for the devel mental machine built by Fred Weick. LIGHTPLANE CONTRACTS
opment of military and civil aviation, This machine, the W-l, was being tested
$100,000 was made available for the new at the time at Langley by the NACA. The Hammond Aircraft Company of
Development Section. The specifications were broken down Ypsilanti, MI was the winner of the com
Under its authority and with its fund into four parts: General; Performance; petition sponsored by the Bureau of Air
ing, the first task of the new section was Safety Features; Powerplant and Equip Commerce to procure airplanes for its in
to investigate possible designs for a safer ment. In general they called for an air spectors, and at the same time to encour
low-priced airplane for private use. A plane with an extreme amount of forward age the development of an economical,
committee was also formed representing visibility, and the ability to brake imme safe airplane for the private owner.
both the Government and industry. diately upon touchdown without nosing On October 18, 1934 the Bureau
Among the members were: Amelia over. The airplane had to be able to take awarded a contract for 15 of the Ham
Earhart; Dr. George Lewis, NACA; off over a 35 foot obstacle after an 800 mond aircraft, with the option of taking
Robert Renfro, editor THE SPORTS foot run, and to land within 400 feet after five more, at $3,190 apiece. (So much for
MAN PILOT; Edward Warner, SAE; passing over the same obstacle. Addi the $700 airplane). Delivery of the first
and Alford Williams, American tionally, it had to be non-spinning, non plane was to have been made within five
Petroleum Institute. stalling, with a top speed of at least 110 months, and the delivery of the remain
The newly created Development Sec mph and a landing speed of under 35 der within four months of the Bureau's
tion turned to the task of setting up de mph. All this to be accomplished with acceptance of the first. During the
sign criteria for what Vidal called a just a 100 horsepower engine. Cost was course of 1935, with the money saved by
"Safety Plane." Once the specifications no longer the determining factor in the not ordering 25 copies of the winning de
were drawn, Vidal would solicit bids competition. sign, the Bureau contracted for five other
from the aircraft industry. The plan was Aircraft manufacturers would have aircraft to be purchased. These included:
to purchase 25 airplanes from the firm until August 17, 1934 to submit their bids Waldo Waterman for his tailless Arrow
submitting the best design. He was no for the contract to build 25 aircraft. Vidal plane; Ole Fahlin (not one of the original
longer talking about a low-priced every opened the bids in the competition at a bidders) for the Plymacoupe, a high wing
man's airplane or planes at the cost of a small Washington ceremony on August design powered by a Plymouth automo
car but envisioned the "Safety Plane" as 27,1934. Only one bid came from an air bile engine; Kreider-Reisner was given
a prototype for the massed produced, in craft manufacturer of any size and repu an order to modify the Weick W-1; Pit
expensive aircraft of tomorrow. tation. The others had been submitted by cairn for the his new road able autogiro;
small firms. Because the designs were all Curtiss-Wright for its 90 hp Coupe; and
so untried, Vidal decided against order the Arrow Company for one of its Sports
LIGHT PLANE SPECIFICATIONS ing 25 from anyone bidder. Instead, the powered by a Ford V-8 automobile En
winner would get a contract for 15 and gine.
The Bureau of Aeronautics (Bureau five different builders each a contract for Over the next few years the Bureau
of Air Commerce as of July, 1934) speci a single prototype which the government would be busy testing these aircraft.
fications were published in the July, 1934 would test and evaluate. Three would be successful enough to be
issue of AVIATION along with some ed Fourteen bids were received from the certificated for production. More on the
itorial comments, "There is a distinct re following: Safety Air Transport of Indi aircraft in the next installment.
semblance to the requirements of the anapolis; Campbell Aircraft of St. Joseph, (To be continued in next month's edi
Guggenheim Safe Aircraft Competition MO; Church Airplane Company, tion of VINTAGE AIRPLANE.) ...
8JUNE 1993
Description:John Berendt. Robert C. "Bob" Brauer Robert D. "Bob" Lumley. 1708 Bay Sun 'n Fun '93 Best Custom Antique Cessna T-50 Bobcat over the marshlands north of .. Cessna 170-172-175 . We missed Glen Messer, though. Glen.
