Babcock Airplane Corporation

The Babcock Airplane Corporation was a short-lived aviation company in the early 1940s.

The Okaloosa News-Journal, Crestview, Florida, reported on 19 July 1940, that "The Babcock Airplane Corporation recently purchased all assets of the Rover Aircraft Motors of Dayton, Ohio, and plans to begin the production of airplane motors at its new plant (at DeLand, Florida) by Aug. 15, officials announced last week.

"The recent purchase included all engineering data, master drawings, tools, machinery, and a large stock of unfinished engines of the Rover organization, the total value of stock and material included in the deal being $185,000 was announced by President Fred L. Foster of the Babcock Airplane Corporation." [1]

During World War II, Babcock constructed 60 Waco CG-4 gliders as CG-4A-BBs, in two batches.[2]

The company "was out of production by 1945. Unit cost of these CG-4A was $51,000. Their manufacturing facility was a circus tent."[3]

References

  1. ↑ Crestview, Florida, "To Start Building Motors At Deland Soon", The Okaloosa News-Journal, Friday 19 July 1940, Volume 26, Number 29, page 4.
  2. ↑ Andrade, John M., "U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909", Midland Counties Publications, Earl Shilton, Leister, UK, 1979, ISBN 0-904597-22-9, page 96.
  3. ↑ http://www.warbirdsandairshows.com/Aircraft%20manufacturing/glidermanufacturewwii.htm