Viewing page 9 of 43

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

the company was moved there that fall where a factory was obtainable having three times the floor space they had at Bath. At this time B. D. Thomas joined the organization as Chief Engineer and Designer. While no relation of the brothers he came to them with considerable background of aviation design experience both in Europe and with Curtiss at Hammondsport. With this increased staff the brothers started the design and construction of a new military tractor biplane, called the T2, using an Austro Daimler 90 H.P. engine, which was changed to the Curtiss OX when production started in early 1915. This plane turned out exceedingly well and its performance pleased the British Admiralty who gave them an order for 24 planes. 

Toward the end of the year Ralph Brown designed and supervised the construction of the last of the Thomas Flying Boats. Known as the Type B it was an exceptionally clean pusher biplane-type with natural finish mahogany hull, seats upholstered in black leather, and powered by a 90 H.P. Austro-Daimler engine. This machine was completed and flown at Ithaca in mid-1915.

Their flying school was continued for both land and water instruction and during the winter months of 1914-1915 operated from the ice of Lake Cayuga. A class of notable students was taught, including William S. Brock who later made a "round-the-world flight" in the Stinson "Pride of Detroit" monoplane with Ed. Schlee. 

With a production order at Ithaca expansion was rapid and soon a considerable force of workmen was employed. The brothers became interested in building their own engine that year and, as a result, George H. Abel and Harold N. Bliss joined the organization. Both had previously been with the B. F. Sturtevant Company on the design and development of their engines. The Thomas Aeromotor Company was formed and the first engine was an all-aluminum Vee-8 geared engine of 135 H.P. This new engine was installed in the Thomas Military Tractors at once and materially improved the performance. Known as the D-2 this plane had a stop speed of 95 M.P.H and a climb of 4500 feet in 10 minutes, both exceptional at that time. At the end of 1915 the flying school was moved to St. Augustine, Florida for the winter months with C. Ray Benedict as instructor. During the 1914-1915 period Thomas graduate Charles Fay also did considerable flying for the company on exhibition and test work.

6