The Timm Aircoach, also called the Timm Coach and the Golden Shell Special, was a custom-built, high-capacity, high altitude aircraft for charter flights.[2]

Aircoach
Role	Cabin biplane Type of aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	O.W. Timm Aircraft Company[1]
Designer	Otto Timm
Introduction	September 1928
Number built	1

Design and development

The Aircoach was built in a shop at Glendale Airport, where Otto and Wally Timm had a shop. Al Menasco had a shop nearby where he modified engines. The Aircoach used a Menaso modified Salmson engine.

The Aircoach was a single engine, conventional landing gear equipped biplane with an open cockpit for two pilots and enclosed passenger cabin. The fuselage was made of welded steel tubing with plywood covering.[3]

Operational history

Roscoe Turner flew the underpowered Shell Special Golden Shell twice, attempting endurance records. Each flight resulted in damage and the efforts were abandoned.[3]

Specifications (Aircoach)

Data from Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1928,[4] Aerofiles:Timm[5]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: 5 pax
• Length: 31 ft 9 in (9.67 m)
• Wingspan: 45 ft 0 in (13.71 m)
• Height: 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m)
• Fuel capacity: 70 US gal (58 imp gal; 260 l)
• Powerplant: 1 × Menasco-Salmson B-2 9-cylinder water-cooled radial piston engine, 260 hp (190 kW)
• Propellers: 2-bladed fixed pitch propeller

Performance

• Maximum speed: 97 kn (112 mph, 180 km/h)
  
• Landing speed: 35 mph (30 kn; 56 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 87 kn (100 mph, 160 km/h)

References

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