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167

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

ANTONY (TONY) M. JANNUS
Early Benoist Instructor and Test Pilot

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Antony Jannus was born in Washington, D.C. June 22, 1889 son of Franklin Jannus, patent attorney, and grandson of an ex-mayor of Washington. At age 14 he and his older brother, Rodger, were left orphaned following the death of their parents. Another Washington attorney, J. M. Spaulding, adopted the boys and completed their schooling. Tony graduated from local and technical High Schools, then went to work for the Emerson Marine Engine Co. in neighboring Alexandria, Virginia. Mechanically inclined, he soon became quite an engine expert.

One of the staff men at the Emerson plant was Frederick Fox who in 1910 entered into a partnership with Rexford Smith to build what was probably the first aeroplane made in the Washington area. They planned to use a revamped Emerson Marine Engine and Tony was deligated [[delegated]] to make the installation. While engaged in this work he became interested in aviation. The plane was a modified Curtiss-type biplane with Farman landing gear, and first hops were made at College Park, Maryland on November 6, 1910. Smith tried it first, followed by Fox, then Jannus. Eighteen hops were made that day, and tests continued daily, weather permitting. The following Sunday Jannus had it up to a height of 25 to 30 feet and made a turn. For the remainder of November and into December

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