Summary
- Collection ID:
- NASM.XXXX.0064
- Creators:
-
- Dates:
-
1936-1937
- Languages:
-
- Physical Description:
-
2.18 Cubic feet
(2 records center boxes)
- Repository:
-
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of drawings of the Gwinn Aircar. It includes engineering and production drawings for the aircraft.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
The Gwinn Aircar Company of Buffalo, NY was formed in 1935 by Joseph M Gwinn, Jr, former Chief Engineer at Consolidated Aircraft Corporation. The 'Aircar' was designed as a 'foolproof' airplane that would be simple and, above all, safe to fly since it would neither stall nor spin. The aircraft first flew in early 1937 and received Civil Aeronautics Authority Approved Type Certificate 682. Gwinn hired Frank Hawks, racing pilot and record setter, and Nancy Love, another famous pilot, to tour the country demonstrating the aircraft. On 23 August 1938, Hawk failed to clear high tension power lines while taking off in the Aircar and was killed in the resulting crash. Gwinn suspended production and closed the Aircar plant.
Administration
Immediate Source of Acquisition
No donor information, gift, unknown, XXXX-0064, unknown
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Use
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at
Permissions Requests
Keywords
National Air and Space Museum Archives
14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20151
NASMRefDesk@si.edu