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 |
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Predecessor | Halpin Development Company |
Founded | 1927 (1927) |
Founder | Thomas E. Halpin |
Defunct | 1929 (1929) |
Fate | Purchased by Columbus Flying Service |
Headquarters | Cincinnati, Ohio , United States |
Key people |
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Footnotes / references [1] |
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.[lower-alpha 1][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.[lower-alpha 2][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][lower-alpha 3]
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 | |