Viewing page 7 of 15

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

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

WILLIAM H. HILLIARD

[[image]]

An early auto race driver, William H. Hilliard won the Mt. Washington, N.H. Hill Climb in the 1904 Glidden Tour, driving an English Napier car. He was winner of a light car race also that year at Savannah, Ga. 

Hilliard started making some straightaway hops in the first Herring-Burgess place on Plum Island about May 13th, 1910. As a result Burgess apparently engaged him to continue these test, and through this, he gradually taught himself to fly. It was not long until he was making flights of one and one-half miles or more. At first the plane took off on skids, then later wheels were added. Without doubt he helped Burgess get started in the aeroplane business. 

In June, 1910 Hilliard was one of the founders of the Aeroplane [[strikethrough]] Mfg. [[/strikethrough]] Manufacturing Company in Boston for the manufacture and sale of planes. Incorporators were: William H. Hilliard, president; W. Ernest Timson of Lynn, Secretary and Treasurer, and C.F. Dutch of Boston as Attorney. During the summer months Hilliard was apparently making a constant succession of flights at Plum Island. The plane was now fitted with wheels and a French 2 cyl. 30 [[strikethrough]] H.P. [[/strikethrough]] h.p. Clement-Bayard engine had been installed. A continual process of development changes were being made to improve the performance and handling characteristics of the plane. Both Hilliard and Burgess made amateur flights at

1

Transcription Notes:
Photocopy of Page 4, with minor edits