Though neither swift in speed nor elegant in appearance, the Aeronca C-3 produced a mass of devoted owners who loved their ungainly appearance and the sheer pleasure they offered at low expense. Designed for simple, low-cost fair-weather flying fun, the C-3's walrus-like appearance generated such nicknames as Flying Bathtub and Airknocker.
The Fleet Model 2 biplane was named for Major Reuben H. Fleet, the guiding hand at Consolidated Aircraft at the time. Fleet Aircraft Inc. was set up by Consolidated as a subsidiary and headed by Lawrence D. Bell, later famous for the line of aircraft bearing his name.
In 1922, T. Claude Ryan, an ex-Army reserve pilot, opened a flying service and school in downtown San Diego. The school was one of the first government approved flight schools, allowing him to train commercial students, as well as flying cadets for the Army Air Corps. In a joint effort with one of his flying students, B.F. Mahoney, Ryan created an airline service between San Diego and Los Angeles.
The Ryan Model ST-3KR, U.S. Army Air Corps PT-22 Recruit, evolved out of the design of the popular Ryan ST or Sport Trainer. It incorporated refinements that resulted in a rugged and easy to maintain military trainer. The Recruit was a wire-braced, low-winged monoplane, with open cockpit seating for two in tandem.
The Lockheed Vega was a high-speed passenger monoplane built by Lockheed Aircraft, and first delivered in 1927. It achieved fame because it was used by a number of record-breaking pilots, who were attracted to its speed and rugged, long-range design.
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The San Diego Air & Space Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Federal Tax ID Number 95-2253027.
