REVISED: 4/17/09

U C C see United


Umbaugh

1957: (Raymond E) Umbaugh Aircraft Corp, Ocala FL. 19??: Hagerstown MD. 1962: Ended operations.

U-18 1958 = VTOL personal transport gyroplane. 2pCAg: 180hp Lycoming O-360: rotor: 35'0" load: 600# v: 126/100/0-10 range: 360. Gross wt: 1800#. All-metal. Three-blade free-rotor; tandem seating. $9,995 basic; POP: 75 by 1965. Developed by Air & Space Inc as model 18-A (SEE Farrington).


Union

Union Aircraft Co, Long Island NY.

  Union Rotorplane [X772N] (Atlantic & Pacific Wirephoto)
  Union Rotorplane (film clip)

Rotorplane 1931 = 2pO*M; 90hp ACE (Cirrus). Isaac C Popper. *Four conical rotors in an open frame replaced the wings and were driven by two additional 28hp Indian (motorcycle) engines. An experiment based on the Magnus Effect to create lift. Although the designer claimed it had double the lifting power of conventional wings and could land a half the speed, there is no record of actual flight. POP: 1 [X772N] c/n M-1. SEE ALSO Ames 1910, Flettner.


United

Tips & Smith Inc (engines), Houston TX.

1927 = 3pOB; 90hp OX-5, replaced with 120hp Tips & Smith Super-Rhône static rotary; span: 32'0" length: 23'6". Described by historian John M Jarratt as a "hybrid from many parts." Very likely a company test-bed. POP: 1 [429] c/n 21.


United

1928: United Aircraft Corp (pres: Curtis C Baldwin), on acquisition of Lark Aircraft Co, 471 W 1st St, Wichita KS. c.1929: Company or its assets possibly went to Commercial Aircraft Corp at Van Nuys CA. SEE ALSO Standard Steel.

Lark c.1928 = SEE Lark.

UAC Special 1928 = 2-4pO/CB; 225hp Wright J-5. F R McConigal. 4p cabin modified to 2p open cockpit, or vice-versa. POP: 1 [X5613].


United, U C C

United Consultant Corp, Norwood MA.

  United Twin Bee [N87589] (Dan Shumaker)
  United Twin Bee [N123BR] (www.seabee.info)

UC-1 Twin Bee 1960 (A6EA) = Modified, larger 5p Republic Sea Bee conversions with two 180hp Lycoming O-360-A1A tractors originally, IO-360-B1D for production; span: 43'3" length: 31'4" load: 1300# v: 147/131/38 range: 900 ceiling: 19,000'. Joseph W Gigante. Prototype built in 1960 [N87588]. POP: about 23 from 1966-87.


United Aircraft

1928-29: Parent corporation in mergers as United Aircraft & Transport Corp as a hilding group; name changed in 1934 to United Aircraft Corp. Group also had a large interest in Pan-American Airways. Continued as United Technologies.

(Data: March 1930)
Boeing Air Transport Inc
Boeing Airplane Co Inc
Boeing Schools of Aeronautics
Canadian Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Co Ltd
Chance Vought Corp
Hamilton Standard Steel Propeller Co
Hoffar-Beeching Shipyards Ltd
Northrop Aviation Corp
Pacific Air Transport Inc
Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Corp
Sikorsky Aviation Mfg Corp
Stearman Aircraft Corp
Hamilton Metalplane Co
Stout Air Lines Inc
United Aircraft Exports Inc
United Airports Inc


United Eastern

United Eastern Aeroplane Co, 1251 DeKalb Ave, Brooklyn NY.

INFORMATION NEEDED
A-M Tractor 1917 = 2pOB. Charles H Day.

United Helicopters see Hiller


United States

1918: United States Aircraft Corp Ltd, Redwood City & San Francisco CA on acquisition of Christofferson Bros factory.

1930 = Acquired the assets and plant of Marchetti Motors (qv), but apparently never did anything with it. In 1917-18 the company had built about 50 Curtiss JN-4s under a wartime contract.


Univair

1946: Univair Aircraft Corp, Aurora CO.

Stinson 108-5 1964 = 4pChwM; 180hp Franklin 6A-335-B1; span: 33'11" length: 25'2" load: 1100# v: 152/132/65 range: 475; ff: 4/21/64. Updated Stinson 108-3 [N5565V]; also marketed kit for modifying 108-3 to -5. SEE ALSO Ercoupe, Taylorcraft.


Universal

Universal Aerial Navigation Co (pres: W H Walters), Arizona?

  Universal Concept art (stock certificate via Kathy Mize)

1911 = Jules Verneish-looking oar-powered contraption seeking financial backing in those more innocent days when nothing seemed impractical or impossible. Perhaps those beams of light helped it to fly? Stock issued in Arizona, but physical location of the planned enterprise is unknown.


Universal

Universal Aircraft Corp (mgr: Porter Sligar), Northern Life Tower, Seattle WA.

1930 = 1pFb under development; span: 30'0". No production or flight data found.


Universal

Universal Aircraft Co, Fort Worth TX.

98 Trainer 1934 = 1-2pOB; 40hp Ford A. POP: unknown, but 6 registered [13950 c/n 3, 13973 c/n 7, 13999 c/n 18, 14884 c/n 11, 15179 c/n 10], and 1 with 50hp Ford [11597 c/n 50]. Others appear in regs as "Univeral 36" with 40hp Continental [eg: 17671 c/n 7186-F], but c/ns suggest those were American-Universal Flying Fleas.


Universal Flying Flea SEE American Flea


University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN.

T-1 1936 = 1pOlwM; 55hp Jacobs. Tailless experiment, a student project under the guidance of Prof John D Akerman [X14880]; SEE Akerman.


Unruh-Albright

Marion Unruh & George Albright, Falls Church VA. c.1960: Col Marion D Unruh, Pretty Prairie KS, Austin TX.

Pretty Prairie Special I 1938 = 2pOB; 60hp Rearwin-LeBlond; span (upper): 24'0" (lower) 18'0" length: 16'0" v: 100/95/50. Marion Unruh, based on Knight Twister. [25460], built by Albright.

Special II 1966 = 1pOB; 75hp Continental A-75; ff: 6/27/66 [N8635E]; span (upper): 15'0" (lower): 13'0" length: 15'5" load: 300# v: 150/120/70. Unruh began construction in 1937, but it was not until after he had retired from USAF in 1959 that it was finished.

Special III 1957 = 2pOB; 125hp Menasco D4-87; span: (upper) 21'0" (lower): 19'6" length: 17'1" load: 390# v: 146/118-128/66. Unruh began construction in Japan, finished the work in Austin. [N1473V].


Uppercu SEE Aeromarine, Burnelli


Urness-Hanson

Alfred H Urness & Henry J Hanson, Cashton WI.

Toadstabber 1934 = 1pOM; 36hp Ford. [13652] c/n HU-2. With such an intiguing model name, it is unfortunate no photo or specs were located. Note that Henry gets top billing in the c/n.


U S Aircraft SEE Air-istocrat


U S Flyer

U S Airplane Co, 3670 Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL.

  U S Flyer [X6605] (company brochure)

1928 = 3pOB; 110hp Anzani; span: 33'0" length: 24'0" load: 400# v: 100/88/35 range: 425. L B Coombs. $2,250-6,500; POP: 1: prototype [X6605] c/n11. Later powered with 90hp Curtiss OX-5 and Wright Whirlwind.

C-1, C-2 1929 = As previous, with 100hp Hisso. POP: 2 [3502, 880H] c/n 12 and 13.


Valley Engineering

Valley Engr (Gene & Larry Smith), Rolla MO.

  Back Yard Flyer Prototype 1p high-wing (Valley Engr)

Back Yard Flyer UL 2005 = STOL ultralight. 1pOhwM; Valley-VW engine; v: x/90/30. Constant-chord wing with trailing full-length "flaperons." Demonstrated take-off in about three seconds over 70'. Simple disassembly for trailering. c.$25,000; POP: 1, with planned production as 2pOlwM side-by-side SP version for the FAA Part 103 Sport Pliot market, includes ballistic parachute system.


VAMP

1913: VAMP (Van Dersarl Motor Products) Aircraft Co, Denver CO.

CV 1931 = 1pOB with 70hp VAMP-designed and -built motor [579Y]. Company built several unstated types, as well as replicas of Blériots and Cessna mid-wings.


Van Anden

Frank Van Anden, Islip NY.

Biplane 1911 = 1pOB; 50hp Harriman pusher.


Van Camp-Murray

Vernon Van Camp and Durard Murray, Kingman KS.

Sport c.1930 = OB; LeRhône rotary. Murray-Yarton built as a high school project under the guidance of Van Camp, a wood shop teacher and cousin of designer Murray. POP: reportedly 3; only [406W] c/n 103 found in registers, but Van Camp's daughter says one went to Alaska.


Vance

1923: Clare Vance, Logansport IN. 1929: Vance Aircraft Inc, Fresno and Oakland CA.

1923 = 1pOB; 270hp Salmson Z-9; v: 122. Chesty, mail-type plane used by Vance for transcontinental speed attempt.

  Vance Flying Wing Race #61? [NR12700]
  Vance Viking [NR12700] (Frank Rezich coll)
  Vance Flying Wing Mason Meteor [NR12700]

Flying Wing aka Viking Cargo Plane 1932 = 1pOmwM; 660hp supercharged P&W R-1340 Wasp; span: 55'0" length: 30'0" load: 2000# v: 185/165/x range: 7200. Charles Rocheville, Clare Vance. Flying wing design with twin booms, twin tails. Fuel (1200 gallons) and cargo carried in wing. POP: 1 [NR12700]. Its extent in competition is unclear, but is seen in some photos wearing race numbers. Also unresolved is the name "Mason Meteor" on its cowling in the lower picture—possibly Monty Mason was pilot, which would clear up some of the confusion with Mason Greater Meteor (qv).

The Flying Wing transport was flown in the 1932 Bendix Air Race by Clare Vance from Union Air Terminal (Burbank CA). Winners were Jimmy Haizlip, Roscoe Turner and Lee Gehlback (ref: Great Air Races by Don Vorderman). Wings Feb 2000 shows the flying wing, but IDs it as Vance Viking [NR12700], stating Clyde Pangborn used this plane to better his 41-hour west-to-east flight (in Miss Veedol) and planned to make a global flight in it. Could it be the Flying Wing Transport was race #61 and later became the Viking? They both have the same tail number. (— Ron Billman 6/7/04)

M-1 Golden Arrow 1929 = 1pOlwM; 27hp Kemp-Henderson; span: 24'6" length: 15'9" load: 225# v: 80/70/28 range: 250. All-wood with fabric-covered wings. $895; POP: 1.

V-1 Golden Arrow 1929 = 1pOB; 27hp Kemp-Henderson; span: 20'6" length: 14'6". Other data similar to M-1. All-wood with fabric-covered wings. $895; POP: ??, [365H] c/n 5, and others.

V-S-1 Baby Lark 1929 = 1pOB; 27hp Kemp-Henderson; span: (upper) 20'0" (lower) 21'10" length: 14'6" load: 250# v: 85/70/24 range: 350. All-wood with fabric-covered wings. $935, $1,180 with 40hp Szekely. Advertisements appear for a home-builders' Vance project as either biplane or monoplane, with a complete kit offered for $180 less motor and dope, which is most likely a version of this model. It is unknown is if any were ever built and flown, but ads like these, catering to the flying craze of the late 1920s, were common in periodicals.


Van Cleave

William Van Cleave, Love Field, Dallas TX.

1928 = 1pOB; 35hp Lawrance; span: 21'0" v: 85/65/30-35. Midget biplane.


Van Dellen

Lubert VanDellen, Pella IA or Oklahoma City OK.

  VanDellen LH-2 [N4826E] (Airpower Museum)

LH-2 1959 = 2pO-ChwM; unknown reciprocating engine; v: x/100/x. Gross wt: 900#. The register classified it as a "rotocraft"—instead of a wing, it had a circular saucer-like disk which was said to rotate (Magnus Effect?) A small engine with a tractor prop was located in the front end, and the opposite end sported a butterfly tail. [N4826E]. Taxi-tested but never flown, donated to AAA's Airpower Museum.


Vanderford

William Vanderford, Gladbrook IA.

1923 = 1pOhwM; 2-cyl Harley-Davidson engine, which was not the only motorcycle part used. Open frame fuselage. On the first run of the engine the airplane spun around, ran over a small tree, and almost made it to the neighbor's porch. Taxiing trials were made, but the airplane would not rise, so it ended up instead as a powered sled.


Van Dine

Peter D Van Dine, Merganser Aircraft Corp, Annapolis MD.

Merganser 1982 = 2pCmwMFb canard; 81hp Revmaster 2100D; span: 17'6" length: 14'2" load: 447# v: 165/147/54. [N5001S].


Van Duzer

Frank Van Duzer, Waukegan, IL.

1936 = 2pOM; 60hp Anzani. [14882].


Vanguard

1958: Vanguard Air and Marine Corp (pres: Edward Vanderlip), Radnor PA.

Model 2C, 2D Omniplane 1960 = 2pClwM fan-in-wing VTOL research aircraft; 265hp Lycoming O-540-A1A; span: 22'0" length: 25'6" load: 500# v: 190/x/0 range: 150. In forward flight, covers above the rotors and louvers below sealed the wing for aerodynamic lift. Thrust was produced by a 5' shrouded prop in the tail, elevator and rudder behind the rear fan controlled pitch and yaw, while differential propeller blade pitch affected roll in hover. Ground tests, starting in Aug 1959 and including tethered hover trials, were followed by NASA full-scale wind tunnel testing. Modifications in 1961, including a 860hp Lycoming YT53-L-1 turboshaft, improved control system, and 5' nose extension to house a third lifting prop, led to the redesignation 2D. The nose prop improved control in pitch, as well as in yaw through the use of movable exit vanes. 2D completed tethered hover tests, but was damaged by a mechanical failure and discontinued in early 1962.


Van Pomer

John Van Pomer, Fort Edward NY.

1910 = 1pOB; 35hp Kemp. Copy of Curtiss A, one of the undocumented first attempts by early home-builders. Based on the then-popular Wright design.

In a later interview, a colleague, who as a teenager had helped with the construction, said that he once had ridden on the wing in one of its short flights, which were always downhill and never involved turns. The aircraft was located in a barn and recently restored to display condition at Empire State Aerospace Museum, Schenectady County airport NY. (— Jansz V Vander Veer)


Van's

Van's Aircraft Inc (fdr: Dick VanGrunsven), North Plains OR. 2000: Beaverton OR.

RV-3 1973 = 1pClwM; 125hp Lycoming O-290G; span: 19'11" length: 19'0" load: 355# v: x/180/48. Dick VanGrunsven. All-metal construction. EAA Best Aerodynamics Award 1972. Marketed plans and kits for home-builders. More than 3,300 RVs were reportedly completed and flying by mid-2003.

  Van's RV-4 (Harmon Lange)

RV-4 1981 = 2pClwM; 150hp Lycoming; span: 23'0" length: 20'5" load: 610# v: x/170/52. Tandem seating under a bubble canopy. Kits marketed for home-builders, $10,905; POP: c.600 reported flying worldwide.

RV-5 Swinger 1976 = 1pChwM; 32hp VW; span: 20'0" length: 16'5" load: 275# v: 95/85/45 range: 300; ff: 5/x/76.

  Van's RV-6 (Joseph Abril)

RV-6, -6A 198? = 2pClwM; 150hp Lycoming; span: 25'0" length: 20'4" load: 600# v: x/165/50. Side-by-side cockpit, bubble canopy; RV-6A offered tri-gear. Kits: $11,810-12,565; quick-build: $19,320-19,995.

  Van's RV-7 [N137RV] (Van's)

RV-7 -7A 19?? = RV-6 suited for 150-200hp Lycoming, roomier cockpit, greater load and range; revised kit for faster construction.

RV-8, -8A 1995 = Expanded tandem cockpit and luggage area. 2pClwM; 150-200hp Lycoming; span: 24'0" length: 21'0" v: 222/212/51 (200hp). RV-8A with tri-gear. Kits: $14,770-14,995; quick-build: $21,750-21,995.

  Van's RV-9 [N179RV] (Van's)

RV-9, -9A 2000 = 2pClwM; 118-160 hp Lycoming; span: 28'0" length: 20'5" load: 693# v: 172/166/48 (118hp) 196/188/50 (160hp); ff: 3/4/02 (p: VanGrunsven). Side-by-side cockpit, bubble canopy. New high-lift wing with slotted flaps. -9A with tri-gear; ff: 6/15/00 (p: VanGrunsven).

  Van's RV-10 [N410RV] (Van's)

RV-10 2003 = 4pClwM; 260hp Lycoming O-540; span: 31'9" length: 24'5" load: 1100# v: 208/197/63 ceiling: 27,000'; ff: 5/x/03 (p: VanGrunsven). Tricycle gear. Land/take-off in 650' fully loaded.


Vantuil

Ibbs "Dutch" Vantuil, no location.

Flying Dutchman 1948 = 1pClwM; 85hp Continental C-85; span: 21'4". Midget racer [N7E]. Originally named Jezebel. Appeared at Cleveland in 1948 but did not fly.


Van Valkenberg

Eber H Van Valkenberg Aircraft Co, McKeesport PA and Toledo OH.

(Phelps) 1927 (Toledo) = 3pO/CM; 70hp (?>125hp) Ryan-Siemens SH-13; span: 38'7" length: 24'7". Side-by-side seating in a rear cabin and a forward cockpit that could be open or enclosed. POP: 1 [X4919] c/n 281. Sold to Dr Leland E Phelps of Toledo c.1928, who rebuilt and expanded the plane as 4pCM; span: 41'6" length: 27'3". A NASM abstract mentions a letter from Dr Phelps, dated 10/7/29, stating that he was "the owner and builder of both planes (?)" and that the latter was designed by Dimas Ybarra. "We used parts, instruments, etc, of the first plane, but built a new fuselage and wing. We received permission to use the same [reg] numbers and destroyed the old wing and gave the old fuselage to the Toledo Aviation Club for use in class work. Never flown when called the Van Valkenberg." Licensed as Phelps Monoplane #1, registration canceled 9/10/30; also seen as Phelps Z-281.

VM-11 1927 (McKeesport) = 5pO-CM; 180hp Mercedes 6; span 38'2" length: 24'6. Built at Bettis Field, McKeesport, in association with Clifford Ball and D Barr Peat. 4p cabin, open cockpit at the rear. Crashed 11/3/27. POP: 1 [1540/2972] c/n 11—reregistration unexplained.


Vapor Trail SEE Murray


Varga

(George) Varga, Chandler AZ, on purchase of Shinn rights, ATC, and inventory. 1982: Reacquired by Morissey Aircraft Co, Las Vegas NV. 19??: Augustair, Augusta GA.

  Varga Kachina

Kachina 1973 = Personal sport. 2pClwM; 150hp Lycoming O-320A; span: 30'0" length: 21'2" load: 692# v: 148/135/52 range: 500 ceiling: 22,000'. Continuation of Shinn 2150A (Morrissey 2150). $13,500.

  Varga 2150A [N8266J] (Eddie Coates coll)

2150A 1978 (4A19) = POP: 121.

2180 1981 (4A19) = POP: 18.

2180TG 1982 = Conventional-gear configuration by Hibbard Aviation Co, Oakland CA. POP: 3.

Varney

Walter T Varney Aeroplanes, 832 Post St, San Francisco CA. 1923: San Carlos Airport.

1921 = 3-4pOB; 90hp Curtiss OX-5. War-surplus Standard J-1 conversions. SEE ALSO Stearman-Varney.


V A T

Vertical Aviation Technologies Inc (pres: Brad Clark), Sanford FL.

Hummingbird 1988 = 4pCH; 270hp Chevrolet V-8; load: 1000# v: x/98/0 range: 350. A highly modified version of Sikorsky S-52-3.

Elite 1992 = 10pCH; 700hp Garrett TSE331; load: 2500# v:114/x/0 range: 325. A highly modified version of Sikorsky S-55 [N2650M].


Vega

1937: AiRover Co, Victory Blvd and Empire Ave, Burbank CA. 1937: Vega Aircraft Co. 923 E San Fernando Rd, Burbank. 1941: Vega Airplane Div (pres: Courtland S Gross), Lockheed Aircraft Corp, Burbank. Wartime production of B-17.

  Vega 35-67 [NX14299] (North American)

35-67 1941 (ATC 741) = 2pOlwM; 125hp Menasco D-4; span: 29'9" length: 25'6" load: 549# v: 124/108/48 range: 320; ff: 10/x/40 (p: B A "Bud" Martin). 1940 North American Aircraft NA-35 design, along with prototype and 4 unfinished planes, was bought by Vega in Oct 1940. The wing design was used as basis for prototype NAvion. POP: 5 [prototype NX14299, NX21760, NX28351/28353]; two converted to 35-70.

  Vega 35-67 [NX21760] (clip: Air News)

35-70 1941 (ATC 741) = 2pOlwM; 150hp Menasco C-4S; load: 542# v: 140/124/46 range: 305. POP: 2 repowered from 35-67. Production plans canceled by WW2.
37 1941 = Wartime production of Lockheed Vega.

140 SEE Boeing B-38.

B-40 SEE Boeing B-40.

    Vega Flying Test Stand [NX18149] (WASM)

Flying Test Stand 1938 (ATC 2-423) = 2pOlwM rg; 520hp Menasco U-520 Unitwin (twin 260hp Super B with single propeller); span: 42'9" length: 28'11". Jack Wassall, W N "Wally" Wallace. Assembled from various Lockheed components, first designated Lockheed Altair 8-G. POP: 1 [NX18149] used to test experimental Unitwin for use in planned Starliner. Sold to Lockheed dealer Howard Batt when it was no longer needed, repowered with 450hp P&W Wasp SC under (2-423) in 1939 and reregistered as Lockheed Altair 8-D in 1940.

  Vega Starliner [NX21725] (Lockheed)

Starliner 2, 22 1939 = 6pClwM rg; 600hp Menasco Unitwin; span: 41'0" (?>45'0") length: 31'6" (?>35'1") load: 1660# v: 195/180/60 (?>210/200/60) range: 600 (?>700); ff: 4/22/39 (p: B A Martin). Semi-monocoque fuselage, twin tail. POP: 1 [NX21725]. 22 was a modification with 640hp Menasco Unitwin 2-544 and a single tail. Production canceled by outbreak of WW2; aircraft sold to a film studio and its track faded.


Vejraska

Victor Vejraska, Friend NB.

Arrow 1936 = 2pOB; 65hp Velie M-5.


Velie

1902: (Willard L) Velie Carriage Co. 1908: Velie Motor Co. 1928: Mono-Aircraft Corp (pres: W L Velie), 1616 McGee St, Moline IL. 1929: Allied Aviation Industries Inc (pres: W L Velie Jr).

  Velie product lineup (Dan Shumaker coll)
  Mono production (Rock Island Co Historical Society)

More known for his carriages, automobiles and racers, and motors, Velie (grandson of John Deere) also capitalized and manufactured the initial 55-65hp Monocoupe aircraft upon acquisition of controlling interest in Central States Aircraft Co in 1927, hence early popular reference to "Velie Monocoupes" signifying not only the powerplant but the constructor. When Velie died of an embolism in Oct 1928, his son took the reins but he, too, suffered a heart attack in Mar 1929 and Don Luscombe took over. There is some interleaving of 1928-1930 date references in this data that still needs fine-tuning for historical accuracy.


Velocity

Velocity Inc, Sebastian FL and Lincoln CA.

173 19?? = Home-builder kit canard project based on Rutan Long EZ airframe. 4pCmwM; 180-210hp Lycoming pusher; span: 31'0" (canard: 15'8") length: 19'2" load: 1050# v: 198/186/81 range: 1460 ceiling: 20,000' (data for basic 172). Larger-wing version of Standard J-1. Kits available in RG (retractable gear) and Elite (gull-wing) models for $26,000-33,000; partial and pre-built sub-assembly components also offered on all kits.

Delta Hawk = No data yet.

  Velocity SE-FG (Velocity)

SE-FG = No data.

Standard 1985 = 4pCmwM; 180-210hp Lycoming pusher; span: 29'4" (canard: 13'8") length: 19'0" load: 1020# v: 207/196/86 range: 1512 ceiling: 20,000' (data for basic Standard); ff: 7/x/85. Available in RG and Elite models for $25,000-32,000.

XL 1997 = 4pCmwM; 260-300hp Lycoming pusher; span: 31'0" (canard: 15'8") length: 20'0" load: 1090# v: 213/201/86 range: 1258 ceiling: 20,000'+ (data for basic XL). Also RG and Elite models for $34,000-38,000.


Verilite

1983: Verilite Aircraft Co, div of De Vore Aviation (pres: Gil De Vore), Albuquerque NM.

Model 100 Sunbird 1987 = 2pChwM; 70hp Emdair CF 092B pusher; span: 32'0" length: 23'8" load: 490# v: 128/115/42 range: 400; ff: 10/5/87 [N100VI].


Vertak

Vertak Corp, Troy OH.

S-220 ESTOL c.1973 = 2pOmwM; 210hp Continental IO-360 pusher; span: 24'0" length: 21'0" load: 650# v: 273/248/32 range: 1120. Planned kit aircraft. The only photo seen was of a mock-up in a building on North 25A (now owned by Edington Heating). The producer, a Mr Oliver, also owned a 250 Comanche, which was also purchased by Guy Edington. The lawyers, as usual, got the rest of the assets.


Vertidynamics / Vertigyro SEE Nagler


Vertol

Vertol Aircraft Corp renamed from the original Piasecki Helicopter Corp, Morton PA. 1960: Boeing Vertol.

44 - Commercial and cargo transport. 1275hp Wright R-1820; rotor: 44'0" length: 52'6" load: 5420# v: 127/101/0 range: 360. Fore-and-aft rotors.

44A 19?? = 19p cargo version.

44B 19?? = 15p passenger version.

44C 19?? = Deluxe version of 44B.

  Vertol 76 (Vertol)
  Vertol VZ-2

76, VZ-2 19?? = 2p tilt-wing VTOL experiment. Large props on the leading edge which tilted with the wing. No other data.

  Vertol 107 [N74060] (Vertol)

107 1959 (TC 1H16) = All-weather commercial and cargo transport. CH; two Lycoming T53; rotor 48'4" length: 44'4". POP: 1 prototype [N74060]; design became Army YHC-1 (below).

234 SEE Boeing Vertol 234.

347 SEE Boeing Vertol 347.

H-16 1955 = Conversion of Piasecki YH-16A to turbine power.

  Vertol CH-21 (US Army)

H-21 Shawnee (TC 1H12, 1H16, H1AL, H3EA, H8WE, H9EA, HR35) - Twin-rotor "flying banana" military personnel and cargo transport developed from 44 with similar specs. 20pCH; 1425hp Wright R-1820-103; rotor: 44'0" length: 52'7" load: 4500# v: 130/98/0 range: 265-400 ceiling: 9,4500'. Frank Piasecki. Also used in combat for rescue and ambulance, as well as assault operations. Renamed CH-21/UH-21 in 1962, replaced by UH-1 Iroquois in 1963 and, later, CH-47 Chinook.

H-21B Work Horse 1957 = USAF/RCAF version.

H-21C 1957 = US Army version.

H-21D 1957 = Two GE T58 gas turbines; ff: 9/x/57.

YHC-1 Chinook 1959 = US Army version of 107. CH; two GE T58 gas turbines; main rotor: 48'4" length: 52'8" v: 155. Prototype for Boeing-Vertol CH-47.

Verville, Verville-Packard, Verville-Sperry

1925: (Alfred V) Verville Aircraft Co, Green & Melville Aves, Detroit MI (in the former Rickenbacker automobile plant).

  1915 Verville (G P Maiorana coll)

1915 = 2pOB/OBF; 80hp LeRhône pusher, replaced by Hall-Scott(?). Verville's first design, looking somewhat like a de Havilland DH-2.

104-A Air Coach 1933 (ATC 2-454) = 4pChwM; 220hp Wright J-5. POP: 1 converted from 104-C [NC68W=NS11].

  Verville 104-C [X303V] (Eric Blocher coll)

104-C Air Coach 1928 ATC (267, 2-306) = 4pChwM; 110hp Warner Scarab (span: 40'0" length: 28'0" load: 875# v: 110/x/45 range: 600) and 225hp Wright J-6 (span: 44'0" length: 28'9" load: 1234# v: 130/110/50 range: 650). Semi-cantilever wing. $7,500 (Air Coach), $12,000 (104-C); POP: 2 as just Air Coach [X506] c/n 2 and [X151E] c/n 1, and 6 or 7 in 1929 as 104-C Air Coach [NC68W=NS11, NC88Y=NS3, X/NC303H (165hp Wright J-6), X/NC303V, NC356V, NC477Y, x]. (2-306) for 240hp Wright R-760 on [NC477Y].

  Verville 104-P [NC70W] (Eric Blocher coll)

104-P Air Coach 1930 (ATC 316) = 4pChwM; 225hp Packard DR-980 diesel; length: 28'8" load: 1100# v: 130/110/50 range: 640. $11,000-12,000; POP: 1 modified from 104-C [NC70W].

  Verville AT [NC450M] (WASM)

AT Sportsman 1930 (ATC 323) = 2pOB; 165hp Continental A-70; span: 31'0" length: 24'3" load: 678# v: 120/100/50 range: 370. $5,250; POP: 11 [NC450M/459M c/ns 1/5, 7/10 ([NC456M] c/n 27 wasn't licensed until 6/10/31), NC476Y c/n 14]; c/n 7 became c/n 27, c/n11 became c/n 20, c/ns 12 and 15/18 were not used, c/n 19 went to LT. Design and production rights sold to White Aircraft Co in 1939.

Basic color scheme for ATs was green/orange for c/ns 1/3, black/orange for c/ns 4 and 27, blue/orange for c/ns 5/6, 8/10, and 19; c/n 13 as described below, others unrecorded. [NC476Y] was customized for Col Robert R McCormick with enlarged cockpits (McCormick weighed 225# stripped), and the ability of plane to be started and flown from both cockpits; special paint scheme: jet black wing and chassis struts; army yellow wings and tail surface; berry red (artillery red) fuselage; silver louvers. (— Eric Blocher 10/1/07)
  Verville AT-4 [S478Y] (Skyways)

AT-4 Sportsman 1930 = For NACA testing. Modified wide landing gear with added fittings for pontoons, which may or may not have been used. POP: 1 [S478Y] c/n 13. Colors: Blue fuselage, silver wings, yellow stripe. Special equipment: EDO pontoon fittings with structural bearing, steel interplane struts.(— Eric Blocher 10/1/07)
LT Sportsmanl 1931 = AT fitted with 210hp Lycoming R-680 for Lycoming Mfg Co, Williamsport PA. POP: 1 [X10898] c/n 19.

  Verville Training Plane Prototype [479Y] (Eric Blocher coll)
  Verville YPT-10 (Frank Rezich coll)

PT-10 1931 = AT for AAC evaluation as YPT-10. 2pOB; 200hp Lycoming R-680; span: 33'0" length: 25'0 load: 642# v: 108/90/52 ceiling: 12,000'; ff: 2/x/31. POP: 4 as YPT-10 [31-519/522]; first one was "Training Plane" in prototypical stage [479Y].

  Verville PT-10C [31-521] (USAAC Wright Field)

PT-10C 1931 = Lycoming R-680. POP: 1 conversion [31-521].

  Verville YPT-10D (USAAC Wright Field)

YPT-10D 1931 = Kinner C-5. POP: 1 conversion [ ? ].

  Verville-Packard R-1 [AS-40126] (G P Maiorana coll)
  Verville-Packard R-1 Nose radiator (G P Maiorana coll)
  Verville-Packard R-1 [AS-40126] (USAS via Jay Miller coll)

-Packard (Sperry) Racer, R-1 1920 = 1pOB; 638hp Packard V-12. Alfred Verville. Modified from Engineering Division VCP-1 [AS40126]. 1921 Pulitzer race winner, redesignated R-1.

-Sperry M-1 SEE Sperry M-1.

  Verville-Sperry R-3 Advertising art
  Verville-Sperry R-3 Prep for 1923 St Louis Air Meet (Mike Bealmear coll)
  Verville-Sperry R-3 1922 (USAF Museum)

-Sperry R-3 1922 = Racer. 1pOlwM rg; 400hp Wright H-3; span: 29'3" length: 22'5" v: 191. POP: 3 [22-326/328], of which the first was refitted with 500hp Curtiss D-12 in 1923 and won the Pulitzer Trophy in 1924 (v: 216.5 mph).


Vickers Canada

Cartierville-Montreal, Canada.

Canso A, OA-10A 194 = Consolidated PBY-5A. POP: 139 to RCAF [9806/9844, 11001/11100] and 230 to USAF as OA-10A [44-33868/34097]. Exports to RAF of 36 as Catalina IIA, 12 PBY-5A as Catalina III, 11 PBY-5A as Catalina IV, and 70 PBY-5B as Catalina IVA.

OA-10B 1945 = Consolidated PBY-6A. POP: 75 to USAAF.


Victor SEE Heinrich


Victor, Victor-Knoll

Victor Metal Aircraft Co, 1204 Wilson Blvd, Camden NJ.

G-1 Sportster 1929 = 2pM; 75hp Lenape LM-5RA [X498E].

VK-1 1929 = 2pOB; 90hp Cirrus Mk III; span: 30'0". Felix Knoll. POP: 1 [851N] c/n 101. Details cloudy—registers indicate this was a possible metal-fuselage evolution of Knoll KN-1, but leave unexplained a major engine change to 220hp Wright.

Vimac 1929 = 2pOhwM; Lee motor. Reported as in development, but no final version was found.


Victory

Victory Aircraft Engr Co (pres: Forrest W Hicks), Victory Airport, 8016 Lankershim Blvd at Strathern St, North Hollywood CA.

SS-1 1928 = 3pOB; 150hp Hallett H-526; span: 31'0" length: 23'4". William L Shaffer. Fabric-covered steel-tube fuselage and wood-framed wings. No production data was found about this short-lived company, who announced they would keep the initial selling price at $2,000, except for a sole registry of [X5626] c/n 1. Some records show installation of a 90hp Curtiss OX-5. X license cancelled 1/2/30; ID cancelled 7/2/34.


Vidal

Jerry Vidal, no location.

Plane-a-copter 1930 = 1pOH; 98hp Curtiss OX-5. A described "windmill" with counter-rotating wings was apparently before its time. It crashed, was modified and rebuilt, then shelved.


Vidal BT-16 SEE Vultee BT-16


Vidervol-Szaraz

James Vidervol & Arpad Szaraz, Cleveland OH.

VS-1 1961 = 2pChwM; 85hp Continental C-85-8; span: 29'0" length: 21'0" load: 526# v: 130/118/40 range: 450; ff: 10/4/61 [N847Z]. Built and flown by Vidervol, it was prototype for Szaraz SDS-1A.


Vieweg

Otto C Vieweg, Seattle WA.

B-1-A c.1930 = Unknown type with LeBlond engine; no data. [12786]. Vieweg was superintendant of Northwest Aircraft & Motor Corp (ex-Clifford Aircraft Corp), organized Trojan Glider Club and built several gliders, instructed in gliders at Boeing Field.


Viking SEE Chicago Aviation


Viking

ALSO SEE Bourdon

1930: Viking Flying Boat Co, 89 Shelton Ave, New Haven CT, on merger with Bourdon Aircraft Corp. 1931: Production acquired by Stearman-Varney Inc, Alameda CA.

  Viking Kittyhawk B-8
  Viking Kittyhawk B-8 [NC868Y] (Sport Flying)

Kittyhawk B-8 1931 (ATC 392, 2-318, 2-463) = 3pOB; 125hp Kinner B-5; span: 28'4" length: 22'11" load: 772# v: 112/95/42 range: 380. Allen Bourdon; from Bourdon B-4. POP: at least 5 [NC753Y, NC794Y, NC868Y, NC975M, NC996M]. (2-463) for an EDO float conversion.

  Viking OO-1 [V152, V155] (USCG)

OO 1936 = USCG scout version of V-2; span: 38'7" length: 29'4" v: 104/88/45 range: 390. $6500; POP: 5 as OO-1 [V152/156]

  Viking V-2 Ex-Schreck 17-HT-4 [NC792K] (Aerofiles coll)

V-2 1930 (ATC 361, 2-113, 2-168) = 4pOBFb; 225hp Wright R-760 pusher; span: 42'3" length: 29'4" load: 1250# v: 105/90/46 range: 380. Louis Schreck (France), based on his Schreck Hydroavions FBA-17HT-4. $15,000; POP: 1 prototype [37V]. (2-113) covered 3 French-built Schreck 17-HT-4 with 180hp Hisso E pusher [NC136N, NC519M, NC792K]; (2-168) for [NC136N] modified as 2p.


Viking

1979: Viking Aircraft Ltd. (pres: Robert J Walters), Carlsbad CA.

Dragonfly 1980 = 2pCl/mw tandem-wing; 56hp HAPI/VW [N5WN]; span: 22'0" length: 19'0" load: 670# v: 168/140/45 range: 500; ff: 6/16/80. R J Walters.


Vincent

Guy O Vincent, Centerburg and Zanesville OH.

1925 = 3pOB; Hisso or OX-5; span: 29'0" length: 18'0" v: 95/x/25. [3659].

192? = 2pOB; 90hp Curtiss OX-5, no other data. [3686].


Vin-Del Aircraft SEE Owl


Viper

Viper Aircraft Co, Pasco WA.

1999 = 1pClwM rg; 1100# Turbomèca Marbore; span: 24'5" length: 26'5" v: 460/x/78; ff: 10/22/99. Kitform personal jet for home-builder market, composite contruction.


Virginia

  Virginia I (postcard)

INFORMATION NEEDED
c.1912 = No data found.

VisionAire

VisionAire Corp, Chesterfield MO.

  VisionAire Vantage [N247VA] (VisionAire)

Vantage VA-10 1996 = Personal jet transport. 6pCmwM rg; c.3000# P&W JT15D-5; span: 47'6" length: 40'10" load: 3300# v: 403/x/81 range: 1150 ceiling: 40,000'. $1,650,000; $1,800,000 in 1998; ff: 11/16/96 (p: Doug Shane). Composite construction. POP: 1 proof-of-concept model [N247VA], built by Scaled Composites, Mojave CA.


Volaire

Volaircraft Inc (fdr: Jack Gilberti), Aliquippa PA. 7/12/65: Acquired (along with Meyers) by Rockwell-Standard's Aero Commander div.

10 1961 = 2pChwM; 135hp Lycoming O-290-D2C; span: 35'0" length: 22'10" load: 700# v: 135/115/48 range: 575 ceiling: 14,000'. All-metal construction. POP: 1 [N6663D].

  Volaire 1050 [N6666D] (company brochure )

1035, 1050 1963 = 4p versions of Model 10 with 135hp Lycoming (v: 138/115/x range: 650) and 150hp Lycoming (v: 142/125/x range: 625) respectively. $7,900; POP: 1 found [N6666D]. Production of 1050 after 1965 as Aero Commander 100.


Volante

Volante Aircraft Co (fdr: K P Rice), Santa Ana CA.

  Volante Flying Car

Flying Car - INFO NEEDED on this recent twin-boom pusher project.


Volmer, Volmer Jensen

Volmer Jensen, Burbank CA. 1946: Acquired Jarvis Aircraft Co assets. 19??: Plans and component kits marketed by Herr Engr Corp, Lakeland FL.

Volmer Jensen is equally well-known for producing the model of Enterprise seen on the original "Star Trek" television series.

Sport 1942 = 2pOlwM. Resin-impregnated plywood construction.

VJ-21 Jaybird 1947 = 2pChwM; 75hp Continental A-75 pusher; span: 45'0" length: 24'0" load: 500# v: 135/110/35 range: 400. Originally with 75hp Lycoming O-145. All-metal evolution of gliderlike Jarvis Jaybird; take-off run: 50', landing run: 150'. Monowheel gear with outriggers on the wings. Reportedly more than 900 plans sold to builders through the 1960s.

  Volmer VJ-22 (Dan Shumaker)

VJ-22 Sportsman aka Chubasco 1958 = 2pChwMAm; 85-100hp Continental O-200B pusher; span: 36'6" length: 24'0" load: 500# v: 125/80-100/45 range: 320 ceiling: 13,000'; ff: 12/22/58. Fabric-covered wood airframe. Manual gear retraction. POP: reported kits built by 1976: 750, with about 100 known to be flying.


Volpar

1960: Volpar Inc (Volitan & Paragon Corps), 16300 Stagg St, Van Nuys CA, first in tricycle-gear conversions of Beech 18, then engine installations. Later expanded into modifications of Lockheed T-33 and other aircraft. 1990: Acquired by Gaylord Holdings (Switzerland).

  Volpar 18 [NC19452] (Volpar)

18 1960 = Conversion of Beechcraft 18 to executive light transport; tricycle or conventional gear, redesigned nose, custom interior etc.

  Volpar Super 18 [NC343V] (Volpar)

Super Turbo 18 1964 = 8-14pClwM rg; two 500-605hp Garrett-AiResearch TPE331; ff: 12/x/64. [N340V/N16SL, N343V, et al].

  C-45G [N8823Z] (Ed Coates)

C-45 c.1960 = Tri-gear mod, no data.

Turboliner 1967 = Turboprop conversions of Beechcraft 18. 17pClwM rg; 705hp Garrett TPE331-1-101B; ff: 4/12/67. Manufactured by Hamilton Aircraft, Tucson AZ.


von Cosel

Carl T von Cosel, Key West FL.

1930 = 2pChwMAm; 180hp LeRhône rotary. [879Y]. Wings were never attached, so the plane was never flown—some reports claimed that von Cosel, an undertaker by trade, kept his dead wife in it for an unstated period of time. When he left Key West in 1940, he took the plane with him and both disappeared.


von Hagen

Alex von Hagen, Seattle WA.

INFORMATION NEEDED
Flyer 19?? = 1p Ornithopter, of some unknown fashion; reportedly 1925, but looks much earlier in design.

Von Hoffman

Von Hoffman Aircraft Co, St Louis MO.

TP 1929 = 2pOB; 120hp Siemens-Halske. Von Hoffman, Gordon Israel. Basic trainer project that fell victim to the stock market crash that year. POP: 1 [X575E].


von Pomer SEE Van Pomer


Vortex

1997: Vortex Aircraft Co, San Diego CA on acquisition of rights to Bede assets.

PhoenixJet 1998 = Resurrection of twin-tail Bede BD-10, but redesigned with subsonic wing as a military JPATS primary trainer.


Votaw

E B Votaw, Beaumont TX.

W-2V 1938 = 2pOM; 125hp Warner Scarab. [17624].


Vought

De Witt C Vought, no location.

  1911 Vought Patent drawings

1911 = US patent #1,004,117 issued 9/26/11 for an "aeroplane with car containing motor, etc, free to swing." Explanation and key to those letters in the drawing can be found with a search for the number at the US Patent Office site.


Vought (Chance Vought),
Lewis & Vought, Vought-Sikorsky


Vulcan V-1 SEE American Moth


Vultee


"You fly an airplane with your head, not your hands. Never let an airplane take you somewhere your brain didn't get to five minutes earlier." — Tony LeVier