This is the first in a series of aircraft designed and built by the more than 25 aircraft companies that called Wichita “home” during the years 1919 to 1934. Some of these companies are world famous today, while many are nearly forgotten. But, thanks to the photographic artistry of pioneer aviation photographer, Edgar B. Smith (1896-1966), excellent photographs exist today of most of these early day aircraft.
The photographs are presented in chronological order according to the date of manufacture of the subject aircraft. The photos were printed from Edgar B. Smith’s original 8X10 inch negatives of the Robert J. Pickett Collection. Courtesy of the Kansas Aviation Museum.
New Swallow – OX-5
Swallow Airplane Manufacturing Company (1924) 2401 N. Hillside, Wichita, KS
Travel Air Model 2000
Travel Air Manufacturing Co. (1925) 471 W. First St., Wichita, KS
Cessna “A” Series Prototype
Cessna Aircraft Company (1927) First and Glenn St., Wichita, KS
Laird “Whipporwill” Model 10-2
Laird Aircraft Corporation (1928) 471 W. First St., Wichita, KS