The Lawrence-Lewis Aeroplane Co. was apparently in
existence from 1913 into 1919.
At
least three, and possibly as many as five complete aircraft were built during
those
years. They were designated the "A" and "B" models. The former a 32'
wingspan model and the other a 47' wingspan. Engines
included 4-cylinder
Kirkhams
in the first model A's, and a large, very heavy 6-cylinder in-line
Wisconsin used in the A-6 and the B models. Investors
seemed mainly to be Lawrence, his
partner
Harry Lewis, an investment broker, and the Wisconsin engine company
and/or
a gentleman from Wisconsin engines named Purcell. Little more is known
of
the financial situation of the company. Family lore dictates that the Wisconsin
was
used because that came as an investment.
Small
models were built and actual patents on certain aspects of the planes designs
were patented in 1913. (copies will be shown later). Some of the unique
features included in the patent application included air brakes and pilot
ejection with parachute in case of engine failure - items not actually included
in the final designs but nevertheless intriguing for their time.
The
fully enclosed cabin was another very early, if not earliest, design
feature that made it appear quite unique among others of its day.
Legend
includes heartening promises of flying mail contracts for the government,
and military on-site inspections of the airplanes in flight in both Florida
and Illinois. Lawrence had previously met with President Teddy Roosevelt
in 1905 and commanded warships for a week along the Atlantic coast to show
the promise of his aerial kite/panoramic kite system for possible aerial
recon work. Major General Squire was also a long time acquantance (signal
corp. and later involved with military aviation). Lawrence had contacts
and was not shy about using them whenever he could, and Lewis was apparently
moderatley successful with the money end, at least up to a point. But with
the end of the war at hand, their big B-2 model cracked up in 1919,
time and money simply gave out and the quest was over, like so many other
aviation hopefulls.
Lawrence
again pursued aviation in the late 1920's with a much more modern and interesting
design. It never got to more than drawings and a monocoque chassis.
Will
try and fill in these details best as I can as some later point.
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