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at Bath and gave up active flying to take a supervisory part in the manufacturing end of the business. 

In 1914, the war clouds of World War I were developing and a European market for military aircraft was gaining impetus. In order to expand they needed additional facilities not available in Bath, so at the invitation of the Ithaca Board of Trade, the company was moved to Ithaca that fall where a factory was available with three times the floor space they had in Bath. At this time B. D. Thomas joined the organization as Chief Engineer and Designer. While no relation to the brothers he came to them with considerable background of aviation design experience both in Europe and with Curtiss at Hammondsport. With their 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 Curtis 0X when production started in early 1915. This plane proved to be such an excellent flyer that the British Admiralty gave them an order for 24 of them. 

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 a natural finish mahogany hull, seas 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. During the winter months of 1914-1915 they 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 E. Schlee.

With a production order received at Ithaca expansion was rapid and soon a larger 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 

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