Swallow Airplane Company

Swallow Airplane Company
Type Aircraft Manufacturer
Predecessor Wichita Airplane Company, E. M. Laird Airplane Company
Founded 1920
Key people Emil Matthew Laird, William A. Burke

In January 1920, the E.M. Laird Aviation Co. Ltd. was started with the purchase of the six month old Witchita Aircraft Company, it's aircraft and the factory of the Watkins Manafacturing Company. [1] Oilman Jacob Mollendick and Buick-Franklin salesman W.A. Burke each contributed $15,000.[2]The first Swallow designed by Buck Weaver and was test flown in April 1920. Laired hired several aviators that became prominant in the business later,Buck Weaver who would co-found Waco Aircraft, Walter Beech, and Lloyd Stearman who would develop the Swallow New Swallow. Following the departure of E.M Laird in 1923, the company was renamed to the Swallow Airplane Mfg Co. Swallow were notable for producing the Swallow TP in quite large numbers, for its day. A large proportion of pilots trained in the late twenties and early thirties cut their teeth on the TP. In late 1927, owner Mollendick bet most of the company fortune on a record setting aircraft, the Dallas Spirit which was lost on a record attempt to asia co-current with the Dole Air Race. Company assets were sold to Victor Roos.

Designed and built

References

  1. ^ Witchita Beacon: p. 1. 31 January 1920. 
  2. ^ Donald M. Pattillo. A history in the making: 80 turbulent years in the American general aviation. 
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