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World War I put an end to his plans, then in early 1918 he returned east as a civilian instructor and test pilot for the Signal Corps, Aviation Section, U.S. Army at Selfridge Field, Mt. Clemens, Michigan, where he remained until the war was over.

He then returned to Los Angeles, where he designed and built another exhibition-type biplane powered by a Curtiss OX-5 engine which he soon sold to the Mexican Government. Folling this Brown was employed at Mexico City in charge of design and construction of Government aircraft until January, 1922. He then barnstormed for two years in Central America, giving exhibitions, carrying passengers and doing some crop dusting. 

In 1924, Brown returned to Los Angeles and started to design and build planes, later organizing the Lawrence W. Brown Aircraft Company in nearby Inglewood, California, making special planes on order to customer requirement. He continued his business in a small way, later specialiing in planes for racing and contest flying. 

About 1933-1934 Brown brought out a light sport monoplane. By the mid-1930's he built some high-speed, Menasco-powered, low-wing monoplanes for pilots who entered the National Air Race events of that period.

In 1936-1937, Brown built a special speed plane for nationally known Roscoe Turner, who was always an outstanding race pilot. Called the "Turner Meteor," it was a mid-wing, 25-foot span monoplane, powered by a 1,000 h.p. twin-row Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engine. It was in the 250-300 mph class. One of Brown's last planes was a Menasco-powered, single-seat, personal monoplane with Handley Page slots and wing flaps.

Brown joined the Early Birds of Aviation in the early 1930's. He passed away in 1947, but the exact date and particulars are lacking.

Flying Pioneer, Early Bird Lawrence W. Brown was an active early plane designer and builder, an expert pilot and lifelong aviation enthusiast. He contributed much to the early history of American aviation progress.