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THE LAWRENCE-LEWIS AEROPLANE CO.
(OF CHICAGO)
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ALL TEXT & PHOTOS
COPYRIGHT YANUL
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THE LAWRENCE MODEL B AT LAKE CALUMET, CHICAGO 1917-18
Teenager Harold Brownell standing guard
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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.
After viewing this page, if you would care to see
additional material regarding GRL and Aeronautique
Club/Aero Club go here.
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The Lawrence ill-fated rotary-wing
Probably 1915
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The 1st Lawrence fixed-wing aircraft under construction.
Designated "A" model. Probably winter 1915-16.
Difficult to see, but Lawrence is seated(L) along back wall
Lawrence rented an old Westinhouse foundry building,
Located on S.Clinton st. exactly where the Congress Expwy.
now passes.
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Above and Below
The 1st Model A for flight testing.
Floats built in to wing tips.
Very small radiator opening for
car-like radiator inside.
Probably Fox Lake, Ill.-1916
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The "A" model, apparently designated 1 through 4, had a 32' wingspan,
and was powered by a 50hp , 4 cyl. Kirkham engine. The engine
was mounted in the base at the front of the aircraft, with a sprocket
and chain drive to a propellor shaft mounted high in the fusilage.
Starting was by hand-cranking from the inside.
Variations on this 4-cyl. model included external wing pontoons,
and three variations on cooling; small cutout in front, enlarged cutout,
then replacement of internal car radiatior with external partial front surface radiator.
The designation A-6 was the introduction of the Wisconsin 6-cylinder engine
into this same size aircraft. It was then fitted with a full front surface radiator.
Banking in these early models was difficult without aelerons.The aircraft had a very low center of gravity that inherently resisted banking, and without that control it was hard to manoeuver. Simple aileron controls set between the wings were added in the third model or revision, according to the late Harold Brownell who worked on the planes for two years as a teenager (1917-18)
There probably were two complete versions of the A model built
More coming soon....
For contacting me:
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Modified A model
Added external wing pontoons
Somewhat enlarged radiator opening
for better cooling.
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Most used test pilot
Jay D. Smith
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The Model A-6 sporting the Wisconsin inline 6-cylinder. Complete with wing ailerons and pontoons.
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The Principals Harry S. Lewis and Geo. R. Lawrence
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Friend and co-designer Raoul Hoffman
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In tribute to those "Lawrence Lovelies" who made Georges life so sweet.... |
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The last Lawrence aircraft built, and its fate - a crash at Fox Lake, Illinois summer 1918 or 19. Possibly piloted by a washed-out military pilot named Sporline (or Sporlein). But not documented. One newspaper quoted the pilot who refused to give his name, "I just lost it, thats all". |
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