The prototype Gwinn Aircar X1271 of 1937 shown flying over New York City piloted by Lt Cdr Frank M Hawks. This aircraft was designed to be as simple to operate as the average car and was one of several solutions to this requirement to be put forward at that time.
Flying, January 1951: * p.62 - Following a request for details there is a short description of the unconventional Gwinn Aircar on 1937. It implies that more than one example was built.
Flying, January 1951: * p.62 - The Gwinn Aircar of 1937 was an attempt by WWI flier and noted aeronautical engineer John Gwinn Jr to produce a safe and foolproof aircraft with automobile-type controls. The Model 1 registered X1271 c/n 501 had a 90 hp Pobjoy Niagara II engine, tricycle undercarriage, no tailskid or wheel and no rudder (see photo). Control was by steering wheel, foot pedals and a foot-operated accelerator for the throttle. Wingspan was 24 ft, length 16 ft 3 in, height 6 ft 10 in, empty weight 1095 lb, loaded 1532 lb, maximum speed 120 mph and cruise 108 mph. It was demonstrated all over the USA by veteran speed pilot Lt Cdr Frank Hawks and by aviatrix Nancy Love. A second example, the Model 2 registered NC16921, was fitted with a 130 hp Niagara V engine but had reverted to Niagara II when it crashed on 23.8.38 near Buffalo, NY after hitting high-tension wires on takeoff, killing Hawks. Gwinn then suspended plans for further production and closed down his works.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gwinn Aircar - СШАUSA - 1936

The Waterman Arrowbile was the roadable development of the Arrowplane which was another entry in the US Dept of Commerce design competition. Five examples were built pre-war powered by modified Studebaker engines and the sixth was completed in 1958 as the Aerobile with a Tucker engine and this example, owned by NASM, is at the San Diego Museum.
Flying, November 1950: * p.52 - 'Fifteen Years Ago' this time records the tailless 2-seat Waterman Arrowplane which had been found to be virtually impossible to stall or spin. Now where have we heard that before...?
Flying, November 1950: * p.52 - The Waterman Arrowplane was another competitor in the ideal aeroplane contest, the prototype NS13 being delivered on 12.8.36. Designed by Waldo Waterman it was powered by a 95 hp Menasco pusher, had a wingspan of 40 ft, length 18 ft 6 in, height 8 ft. Empty weight was 1310 lb, loaded 1900 lb, max speed 110 mph and cruise 95 mph. It was developed into the Waterman Arrowbile and Aerobile (but sometimes referred to as Aeromobile) as described in the caption above.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Waterman Arrowbile / W-5 - СШАUSA - 1937

Further details of the Taylorcraft Model 18's subsequent history have emerged following the entry on p.97/79. As it was unsuccessful in gaining the US Army liaison contract alternative work was found for N6699N. An arrangement was made with Taylorcraft's neighbour at Conway, Pen., the Diesel Power Inc company, to use it for testing a new diesel engine for aircraft built around the body of a Lycoming 290. It can be seen here running without cowlings during ground tests.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Taylorcraft A / B / C / F-19 / F-21 / F-22 - СШАUSA - 1937

The diesel-powered N6699N fully cowled, with outer mainplane fixed slots visible and flaps lowered. In front are those involved in the project, L N Burton, President of Diesel Power Inc: Taylorcraft pilot Ray Kirschler and Taylorcraft engineer Jack Gilberti. Like other diesel aircraft engines before it this design did not sell and nothing further was heard of it.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Taylorcraft A / B / C / F-19 / F-21 / F-22 - СШАUSA - 1937

Believed to be the only photograph of the Italian BGM-2 helicopter, this view appeared in many aviation magazines about 1950 but was accompanied by few details. The boy attempting to spin the rotor blade gives some idea of scale but more accurate details would be welcome.
Flying, October 1950: * p.37 - Described as a 'midget helicopter', the BGM-2 is an Italian design of rocket-like shape with twin rotors powered by a 80 hp engine. No registration is shown, or details of the manufacturer.
Flying. October 1950: * p.37 - The BGM-2 two-seat helicopter was exhibited in prototype form and is quoted as having an 80 hp engine, 1,100 lb weight and an intended range of 400 miles. One source names it as a Brondetti design but another gives the names Bordini, Gianini and Manzolini; the last-named was later the designer of the Libellula helicopter series. Our photo shows the fuselage fully-clad but it is said to have had a completely open structure originally - perhaps as the BGM-1 if this designation existed? We have no evidence that the helicopter ever flew, indeed any further information about it would be most welcome.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bordoni, Gianini, Manzolini BGM-2 - ИталияItaly - 1950

The Eklund TE-1 amphibian OH-TEA in original format for testing in October 1948. The 28 hp Poinsard engine is fitted above and ahead of the single-seat cabin with a vertical support strut below it. It is currently exhibited as a flying boat with a longer more pointed nose and Continental engine.
Flying, October 1950: * p.37 - The Eklund TE-1 single-seat amphibian, a Finnish design, is shown. A 75 mph cruise is claimed on only a 28 hp motor.
Flying, October 1950: * p.37 - The Eklund TE-1 amphibian is the well-known OH-TEA c/n 1 which first flew on 24.2.49. Designed by Torolf Eklund, the tiny singleseater had a span of 7.5m /24 ft 7 in, length 5.2m /17ft 1 in and height on wheels of 1.9m /6 ft 3 in (making it smaller than the currently available SMAN Petrel amphibian). The wooden structure was plywood covered, as were the wings and tail surfaces, and the outer wing sections folded back for storage. The TE-1 was fitted with an obsolete 28 hp Poinsard flat twin with which the first land and water tests took place in October 1948. During these tests the propeller was broken by water splash so the actual first flights were made from ice by famous test pilot Capt Esko Halme. Three flights were made, totalling 50 minutes, on 24.2.49 before the Poinsard suffered crankcase failure.
The replacement engine was a four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air cooled 40 hp Continental A40-5 and the increased weight of this unit required it to be mounted above the cabin rather than ahead of it. The aircraft nose was also lengthened and fitted with a splash guard and the wheels were removed making it a pure flying boat. The TE-1 was flown again by Capt Halme on 3.11.54 for 55 minutes, making eight water landings. Although probably taxied by the owner the TE-1 did not fly again but was carefully stored and in 1981 put on display in the Finnish Aviation Museum at Helsinki-Vantaa.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Eklund TE-1 - ФинляндияFinland - 1949

The Nelson-Bowlus Bumblebee NX1955 was a single-seat motorglider of 1944 vintage with many similarities to modern microlights. The only example built, it was powered by a 25 hp Nelson 2-stroke engine and in 1945 was modified to 2-seat form as the BB-1 Dragonfly with a 48 hp Nelson H-63CP engine. The seven Dragonflys built were not all sold.
Flying, November 1950: * p.32 - An article about flying powered gliders in the USA refers to two types designed and built by the Nelson Aircraft Corporation. The first, not illustrated, was called the Bumble Bee but renamed the Dragonfly and was a wooden 2-seater. This was followed by the Hummingbird, a 2-seater with plywood fuselage and metal wings, which was fitted with a retractable 40 hp Nelson motor. Photos showed this to be N68959. Did either type enter production?
Flying, November 1950: * p.32 - The Nelson Aircraft Corp of San Leandro, CA specialised in two-stroke engine manufacture but founder Ted Nelson had experimented with powered gliders pre-war. He had tried motorcycle engines on Eaglerock primary gliders and a 50 hp Salmson on a parasol monoplane of his own design. Joining forces with glider designer W H Bowlus post-war, Nelson successfully fitted an 18 hp target drone engine to a Baby Albatross and then designed the Nelson-Bowlus Bumblebee. This high-wing, tricycle undercarriage wooden design with a duralumin fuselage pod and a high tailboom had a span of 46 ft 3 in, length of 19 ft 8 in and height of 6 ft. The only example was registered NX1955 (see photo) and powered by a 25 hp Nelson engine claimed 75 mph max and 68 mph cruise.
Almost immediately the Bumblebee was modified into the side-by-side 2-seat BB-1 Dragonfly which first flew in 1945 with a 48 hp Nelson H63CP engine and was slightly taller but otherwise of almost identical dimensions and performance. The Dragonfly soared well but high costs and low engine power meant that the seven examples built did not sell, indeed three were converted to pure glider configuration.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Nelson-Bowlus Bumblebee / BB-1 Dragonfly - СШАUSA - 1944