California Aeroplane Company

[R Pope]

OK, guys, I'm not sure I am posting this in the right place, but here goes!
Does anybody have any info on this Company? I have seen references to it in 1910-1920's newspaper articles, but no in-depth stuff. I have found a fibreglas boat made by the company, seemingly in the '60's, very early for this type of construction, The boat is very heavy possibly for open ocean use. So, how about it? Anybody ever hear of such a company?

[Aquilius]

Well, "California" and "Aeroplane" are not very thankful terms to search for a specific company from California that might have built aeroplanes...

What I know of is the California Aviation Co. from San Francsico, CA.
It evolved in 1911 from the equally short living California Aero Mfg. & Supply Co., also based at San Francisco.
It is told to have built a couple of Curtiss type pusher biplanes, which have been sold to as far as Japan. Robert (Yonezo) Hoshino had taken such a machine to Japan for instance. But that company ceased operations in 1912.

Some of its story and key people involved:
http://www.oac.cdlib.org/search?styl...m;idT=AFV-0450

Then in 1929-1930 there has been a California Aircraft Co. operating at Los Angeles, CA. It built two types of high wing monoplanes - the California Cub D-1/D-2.
As well not that company that could have built the motorboat you mentioned.


Are you able to specify the newspaper references more precisely?


Cheers

Aquilius

[R Pope]

http://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/s...21/ed-1/seq-1/ Here's one link I found, its the Klamath Oregon paper announcing the incorporation of the company.

[Aquilius]

Not too many details...

But I am pretty sure this is referring to the previously mentioned California Aero Mfg. & Supply Co. of Cleve Thomas Shaffer and Roy C. Scott, especially as aircraft and balloons are mentioned and the city of San Francisco.

Shaffer has been secretary of the Pacific Aero Club, was an active balloonist, had built gliders and in 1909 one of the very first biplanes in the Western United States.

http://www.genealogy.com/forum/surna.../shaffer/3479/
http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SFC19090810.2.9#

If Shaffer in 1909 already had a company, I can't say. He might have constructed his first devices with the help of his sister Geneve Shaffer in an own or rented workshop and the inauguration of a company might have taken place in 1910, as the Oregon Evenig Herald indicates.

Also I have seen that company named "Shaffer Aero Manufacturing Co.", "California Aeronautic Mfg. & Supply Co." as well as "California Aeroplane Manufacturing and Supply Co."

There even is an aircraft of that company that has survived until today - the Blériot-type monoplane with 40 hp Elbridge Aero Special inline engine built for John W. Hamilton in 1911, now displayed at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa.

http://casmuseum.techno-science.ca/e...bleriot-xi.php


Just as told before, this company was dissolved in 1911 and the employees Meyeroffer and Thompson kept up the business for just another year under the name of California Aviation Co.


May I ask what you are after ?




Aquilius

[R Pope]

As I said, I found a boat with an ID plate stating that it was built by the California Aeroplane (or airplane? not sure) Company, and it's fiberglas, so I'm guessing by that and the general lines of the boat that it was built in the 'sixties. Just like to know some more about the company.

[airknocker]

From Aerofiles:
California
John J Montijo & Lloyd Royer, Glendale CA.
Coupe-Cabin 1924 = 4pCB; 300hp Hisso; span: 40'0" load: 1290# v: 112/x/48. Lloyd Royer; ff: 5/7/24 (p: John Montijo). Built in the rear of a hangar used by Kinner Aircraft Co. First had 200hp Hisso. Fuselage constructed from Haskelite bonded plywood. A 20-gallon wing tank was fed by a wind-driven pump from a 50-gallon reserve tank under floor. Destroyed in late 1925 during the filming of a movie when a camera truck accidentally ran into it.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

California Aero
California Aero Mfg & Supply Co (fdr: Cleve F Shaffer), San Francisco CA.
1910 = Primarily glider construction, but several powered aircraft were built, as well—one was described as as 1pOB on runners, quite likely a Wright copy; span: 27'0", no other data found. SEE ALSO Meyerhoffer. Shaffer, a friend and admirer of aeronaut John J Montgomery, also organized the West's first flying association, Pacific Aero Club, and its first annual exhibition on 8/18/09, an "Air-Ship Show" at San Francisco's Dreamland skating rink that featured 25 aircraft and models. His sister, Geneve Shaffer, became our nation's first woman pilot on 9/1/09 when she soloed one of his gliders.

[Aquilius]

Sorry, here I probably can't help any further.

Maybe the American friends do know more?

Just this is a WWI forum. There are probably not many experts for 1960s aircraft or boat builders to find...



Cheers

Aquilius