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[[stamped]] FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE [[/stamped]]

exhibition flying, and Day re-engineered the Martin Curtiss-type machine, incorporating many distinct improvements.

In February, 1911 a 4-cylinder Elbridge engine was installed in Martin's exhibition plane for added power, and by June Day and Beall had a new plane ready, with an 8-cylinder Vee-type 60 H.P. Hall-Scott engine, which Martin started using at once. The business began to grow, more people were added to the force, and by fall their shop proved to be too small so the business was moved to a larger building near Griffith Park in Los Angeles.

In the spring of 1912 Day designed a float with which Martin began flying from the water. Martin then wanted to attempt a flight to Catalina Island and return, as a 75 H.P. Curtiss engine has been installed in this plane. Day helped in all the preparations for this flight, which Martin made successfully on May 12th.

Shortly after this Day left Martin to start his own company in Los Angeles. He helped Floyd Smith build a plane, then started the design of a new and novel light fuselage-type tractor biplane of 30 foot span, using a 4-cylinder 40 H.P. Hall-Scott engine driving a large half-engine speed propeller by chain transmission. This plane, called he "Day Tractor", had an unusually fine performance from the start and astounded every one with its short take-off, climb and all-around good flying characteristics.

Day took this first plane to Cicero Field, Chicago, Illinois in September, 1912 where Max Lillie and DeLloyd Thompson were so elated with the performance that Lillie took the mid-western agency for it, bought the machine and started using it in his business. Designed as a single-seater the plane was announced and described in October. At Cicero Thompson found he could carry a passenger with ease and Day rode with Thompson there on numerous flights. At that time Day's shop in Los Angeles was busy working on three machines, a new Curtiss-type special Hydro with an 80 H.P. Curtiss engine for Horace Kearney, and two additional Day Tractors, one with 40 H.P. and one with 60 H.P. Hall-Scott engines. Day was back in Los Angeles in November where he was kept busy with shop operations.

About December 1st Kearney started flying his new Day Hydro at Newport Bay, and

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FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E MOREHOUSE (3)