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His decision became known to Mr. George Lawrence of Chicago who had followed his earlier glider work. Mr. Lawrence advised Addems that he was finishing a flying boat and suggested he come to Chicago, help in this work, then go to Florida with them as a mechanic's helper. This suggestion was followed and the boat was shipped to Tampa in February 1918.

J. D. Smith, who became a member of Early Birds, was employed as pilot. The boat was assembled at Ballast Point Park, in a tent hangar on the Board Walk. Following several weeks of short, low flights it was decided to try some low-level straight-away speed flights. Unfortunately during the startup the next morning the engine backfired, the airplane caught fire and was destroyed.

Upon returning to Chicago, Addems decided to follow his plan of trying to enter the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps. He was advised that at the moment they were not accepting more cadets but why not enlist in some other branch and transfer later. This was not exactly the best advice, as following enlistment in heavy artillery, and several attempts to transfer, he finished nearly a year of service in the artillery.

Upon leaving the service he returned to Manteno, Illinois. A friend had purchased a Curtiss Pusher kit from the Edward Heath Airplane Co. of Chicago. The landing gear had been built but had ceased at that point. The owner suggested Addems undertake completion of the project and test-fly the airplane. A Wells-Adams 50 H.P. engine was installed and [[strikethrough]] the plane first flown [[/strikethrough]] Addems flew the plane in November, 1919. It was a stable airplane, a little underpowered but it actually flew well. He made a number of straight-away flights and eventually made turns before winter weather ended flying and the airplane was sold.