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FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE

ROBERT J. ARMOR
Pioneer Wright Aviator

Robert J. Armor was born at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania September 27, 1892. He attended local grade and high schools, then entered business college, taking courses in Business administration, Banking, Finance and Accounting. His first employment was as a clerk at U. S. Steel Corporation, Pittsburgh.

Armor witnessed the flight of Wilbur Wright from Governors Island up the Hudson River, around Grant's Tomb, and return in New York City on October 4, 1909 and this fired his interest in flying. At that time he was a purchasing agent for the Texaco Company, with whom he was connected until 1916 with duties at St. Louis, Missouri, Chicago, Illinois and Houston, Texas. His aviation interest grew and he made up his mind to learn to fly.

Armor had his first plane ride in a Wright biplane at their Simms Station flying field, Dayton, Ohio in May, 1911 and decided to sign up for instruction. Through June he was taught to fly, first by Frank Coffyn, then by Cliff Turpin, both Wright school instructors. After completing his instruction, he soloed a Wright school plane on July 5, 1911 but did not fly for his pilot license at that time.

While there Armor contracted to purchase a Wright Model B plane, with tentative plans to form the St. Louis Aeroplane Company together with fellow Wright student J. C. Henning, to engage in exhibition flying. Henning was to do the

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