Grinnell Aeroplane

The Grinnell Aeroplane Company was an American aircraft manufacturer based in Grinnell, Iowa, that built aircraft prior to World War I.[1]

Grinnell Aeroplane Company
IndustryAircraft and engine manufacturer
FateDissolved after death of founder
Founded1913
Defunct1916
HeadquartersGrinnell, Iowa, United States
Key people
William C "Billy" Robinson

History

The company was formed to develop the "Scout" aircraft designed by Billy Robinson. Robinson trained at the Max Lille school in Cicero, Chicago as a mechanic, learning to fly Wright aircraft and Nieuports. He worked for a brief time as a partner in the National Aeroplane Company before leaving to Iowa in 1913. His custom built parasol was the first to fly airmail from Iowa, setting a non-stop distance record of 390 miles.[2] In 1914, the Grinnell Aeroplane company was founded with D.S. Morrison as President.[3] Robinson developed a 706 cubic inch 100 hp six-cylinder air cooled radial engine to be built by the company to power its aircraft.[4] In 1916, fellow Cicero aviator and designer, Otto Timm joined Grinnell Aeroplane as an instructor, and helped develop the Grinnell Biplane.[5][6] In 1916, the company offered $10,000, training for one pilot from each state, at its factory in order to establish an Iowa station of the Aero Coast Patrol System, a Navy sponsored effort at a coast guard.[7]

Robinson died in May 1916 attempting to break a 17,000 ft altitude record, crashing in Ewart, Iowa. His aircraft was witnessed climbing to altitude, before drifting down like a falling leaf, and gliding to a landing, which was controlled enough to leave skid marks, but rough enough to rupture the fuel tank and ignite the aircraft. Hypoxia was suspected among other reasons for the crash, but the fire made it impossible to verify the exact cause.[8] After the crash Grinnell hired aerobatic pilot A.C. Beech. Beech was to train students using ground trainers to simulate control movements. Business did not pick up after the loss of Robinson.[9] The Robinson engine was tested by the Army in late 1918, but the armistice signing precluded further development. The company was dissolved by 1918.[10]

In the summer of 1916, Otto Timm developed his own Robinson-powered biplane at Grinnell with oversize ailerons for aerobatic demonstration flights. Timm would later found the O.W. Timm Aircraft Company.[11] A Robinson radial engine built by the Dodge Tool company is currently on display at Grinnell College.[12]

Aircraft
Summary of aircraft built by Grinnell Aeroplane
Model name First flight Number built Type
Grinnell-Robinson Scout 1915 1 Parasol
Grinnell-Robinson Biplane 1916 1 Biplane
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References
  1. Hollis LeRoy Muller. Manual of military aviation: prepared for the use of personnel of aircraft. p. 482.
  2. Howard Lee Scamehorn. Balloons to Jets: A Century of Aeronautics in Illinois, 1855-1955. p. 71.
  3. Aeronautics: 8. 15 January 1914. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. Glenn Dale Angle. Airplane Engine Encyclopedia. p. 429.
  5. Aerial age: 330. 29 May 1916. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. "Otto Timm". Retrieved 8 April 2012.
  7. Our Navy, the Standard Publication of the U.S. Navy, Volume 10. p. 68.
  8. Bill Menner. Grinnell in Vintage Postcards. p. 110.
  9. Aerial Age: 81. 3 April 1916. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. Scott M. Fisher. Eastern Iowa's Aviation Heritage. p. 23.
  11. Aerial Age: 783. 13 August 1917. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. Janice Beck Stock. Amazing Iowa. p. 33.
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