Rex Smith Aeroplane Company
Encyclopedia
Rex Smith Aeroplane Company was an American aircraft manufacturer in College Park, Maryland
.
The founder, Rex Smith, was a inventor and a patent attorney
. He placed his offices in Washington D.C., and operations at College Park Airport
. The company was capitalized with $500,000 in 1910 with Victor J Evans as president and Rex Smith as Vice president.
In 1911, Rex Smith moved his hanger to line up with the Army Aviation School
, and hired Frank Kastory from Anzani
, and Abraham Whalomie Raygorodsky
from Russia. He test flew Smith aircraft alongside Fox engine powered Curtiss aircraft
. Rex also hired Tony Jannus
, and Paul Peck as test pilots. In a stroke of coincidence, flying at the same airport at the same time was another military aviator, Paul W. Beck
.
The Rex Smith Biplane was used in the successful April 3, 1911 U.S. Army Signal Corps experiments in wireless communications. Potomac river pontoon experiments on April 5, were not as successful, with the aircraft plowing into the water headfirst nearly drowning the test pilot Jannus. Just two days later the machine was ready again. Janus took up actor Nat M. Wills
, and later two female passengers at the same time. Marking the first time an aircraft flew with more than one passenger.
The Signal Corps did not buy any Smith Biplanes, they did however use them from time to time to train pilots to fly the Curtiss aircraft at the same field.
College Park, Maryland
College Park is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland, USA. The population was 30,413 at the 2010 census. It is best known as the home of the University of Maryland, College Park, and since 1994 the city has also been home to the "Archives II" facility of the U.S...
.
The founder, Rex Smith, was a inventor and a patent attorney
Patent attorney
A patent attorney is an attorney who has the specialized qualifications necessary for representing clients in obtaining patents and acting in all matters and procedures relating to patent law and practice, such as filing an opposition...
. He placed his offices in Washington D.C., and operations at College Park Airport
College Park Airport
College Park Airport is a public airport located in the City of College Park, in Prince Georges County, Maryland, USA. It is the world's oldest continuously operated airport.-History:...
. The company was capitalized with $500,000 in 1910 with Victor J Evans as president and Rex Smith as Vice president.
In 1911, Rex Smith moved his hanger to line up with the Army Aviation School
Army Aviation School
An Army Aviation School is a military educational establishment responsible for the training and development of the personnel and equipment of the aviation element in those armies that have a separate aviation branch.- Tasks :...
, and hired Frank Kastory from Anzani
Anzani
Anzani was an engine manufacturer founded by the Italian Alessandro Anzani , which produced proprietary engines for aircraft, cars, boats, and motorcycles in factories in Britain, France and Italy.-Overview:...
, and Abraham Whalomie Raygorodsky
Abraham Whalomie Raygorodsky
Abraham Whalomie Raygorodsky was Russian-American aviation pioneer.-Biography:He was born on June 4, 1884 in Russia. He trained at the Farman flying school in Paris and received his pilot's certificate from the Aero Club of France around 1910. He then emigrated to the United States...
from Russia. He test flew Smith aircraft alongside Fox engine powered Curtiss aircraft
Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company
Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company was an American aircraft manufacturer that went public in 1916 with Glenn Hammond Curtiss as president. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the company was the largest aircraft manufacturer in the United States...
. Rex also hired Tony Jannus
Tony Jannus
Antony Habersack Jannus, more familiarly known as Tony Jannus , was an early American pilot whose aerial exploits were widely publicized in aviation's pre-World War I period. He flew the first airplane from which a parachute jump was made, in 1912. Jannus was also the first airline pilot, having...
, and Paul Peck as test pilots. In a stroke of coincidence, flying at the same airport at the same time was another military aviator, Paul W. Beck
Paul W. Beck
Paul Ward Beck was an officer in the United States Army, an aviation pioneer, and one of the first military pilots. Although a career Infantry officer, Beck twice was part of the first air services of the U.S. Army, first as nominal head of the flying section of the Aeronautical Division, U.S...
.
The Rex Smith Biplane was used in the successful April 3, 1911 U.S. Army Signal Corps experiments in wireless communications. Potomac river pontoon experiments on April 5, were not as successful, with the aircraft plowing into the water headfirst nearly drowning the test pilot Jannus. Just two days later the machine was ready again. Janus took up actor Nat M. Wills
Nat M. Wills
Nat M. Wills , was a popular stage star, vaudeville entertainer, and recording artist at the beginning of the 20th century...
, and later two female passengers at the same time. Marking the first time an aircraft flew with more than one passenger.
The Signal Corps did not buy any Smith Biplanes, they did however use them from time to time to train pilots to fly the Curtiss aircraft at the same field.
Aircraft
| Model name | First flight | Number built | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rex Smith Biplane | 2 | Pusher Biplane | |