Metal Aircraft Corporation was an American aircraft manufacturer of transport aircraft. The company was a pioneer in all-metal construction at a time when the technology was in its infancy.
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Halpin Development Company |
| Founded | 1927 |
| Founder | Thomas E. Halpin |
| Defunct | 1929 |
| Fate | Purchased by Columbus Flying Service |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Key people |
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| Footnotes / references [1] | |
History
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In October 1927, Thomas E. Halpin, the former chief inspector of the Stout Metal Airplane Company, moved to Cincinnati and founded the Halpin Development Corporation to begin work on a new airplane design.[2][3][4] He was joined by Ralph R. Graichen, the co-designer of the Ford Trimotor, who became vice-president and chief engineer of the company.[5] By January 1928, construction of the Halpin Flamingo had started.[6] Following the first flight of the airplane at Lunken Airport on 9 April 1928, the company was offered $10,000 if it would remain in Cincinnati.[7] Within two weeks the company was purchased by a group of Cincinnatians and on 2 May 1928 it was reincorporated as the Metal Aircraft Corporation.[a][9][10] Production of the Metal Aircraft Flamingo transport was continued at its factory at the Lunken Airport with several variations.[11]
In September 1928, construction on a new factory was started at Lunken Airport.[b][14] Later, by July 1929, Mason-Dixon Air Lines installed a ticket counter and waiting room in the building.[15]
Following a merger with the Johnson Airplane and Supply Company of Dayton, Ohio and the Kansas City Airport in September 1929, Robert H. Shryver, president of Columbus Flying Service, purchased a controlling interest in the company.[16][17][1]
By 1932, the former Metal Aircraft Corporation factory was being used by the Vermilya-Huffman Flying Service and the Jones-Graichen Aircraft Corporation.[18][19][c]
Aircraft
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| Model name | First flight | Number built | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Aircraft G-1 Flamingo | 1928 | 1 | Single engine monoplane airliner |
| Metal Aircraft G-2 Flamingo | 21 | Single engine monoplane airliner | |
| Metal All-Metal Tranship | 1929 | Single engine monoplane airliner |
See also
editReferences
editFootnotes
edit- ^ This group included Powell Crosley and Julius Fleischmann, Jr.[8]
- ^ The factory was built on the west side of Wilmer Avenue.[12] However, due to the road being moved westward in the 1960s, the former site of the factory is now to the east of it.[13][failed verification]
- ^ The latter was developing a single engine low wing monoplane with the unusual feature of "venturi tubes" located in the landing gear fairings.
Notes
edit- ^ a b "Banker Takes Over Company". Cincinnati Enquirer. 24 September 1929. p. 17. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Men and Matters". Cincinnati Enquirer. 23 October 1927. p. 20. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ Herman, M. B. (22 April 1928). "Air Pilots of Cincinnati". Cincinnati Enquirer. p. 8. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Halpin Development Co". Aero Digest. Vol. 12, no. 4. Aeronautical Digest Publishing Corporation. April 1928. p. 552. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- ^ "Arup Production Under Way". Aero Digest. Vol. 24, no. 5. Aeronautical Digest Publishing Corporation. May 1934. p. 70. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- ^ "Auto Show Notes". Cincinnati Enquirer. 17 January 1928. p. 7. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "First Flight of Home Ship Success". Cincinnati Enquirer. 9 April 1928. p. 10. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ Prout, Don. "Airplanes". Cincinnati Views. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ "Cincinnatians Acquire Plane Righs". Cincinnati Enquirer. 19 April 1928. p. 11. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Queen City to Be Factory Center". Cincinnati Enquirer. 2 May 1928. p. 12. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ Ohio Historical Society. Timeline: a publication of the Ohio Historical Society, Volume 23.
- ^ Golden, J. T. Jr. (21 September 1930). "Aviation Lanes". Cincinnati Enquirer. p. 4. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ "Wilmer Avenue Relocation Job is Under Way". Cincinnati Enquirer. 24 September 1962. p. 27. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ Mueller, Louis D. (9 September 1928). "Aviation Lanes". Cincinnati Enquirer. p. 9. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Cincinnati-Detroit Air Line Starts". Cincinnati Enquirer. 21 July 1929. p. 4. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "An Alphabet of Aviation". Cincinnati Enquirer. 14 September 1929. p. 13. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Airplane Supply Merger Planned to Make City Leader in Output of Accessories". Cincinnati Enquirer. 7 August 1929. p. 15. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Aviation Lanes". Cincinnati Enquirer. 7 February 1932. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Aviation Lanes". Cincinnati Enquirer. 14 February 1932. p. 2. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
Bibliography
edit- Eckland, K. O. (18 November 2008). "American Airplanes: Fa - Fu". Aerofiles. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- McClure, Rusty; Stern, David; Banks, Michael A. (9 November 2006). Crosley: Two Brothers and a Business Empire that Transformed the Nation. Clerisy Press. pp. 217–232. ISBN 978-1-57860-291-9.
External links
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