Mystery plane

Air Classics, Dec 2001 by Casari, Robert

In the October issue you had a feature titled "Mystery Plane" about an aircraft owned by Yanks Air Museum. In regard to the Thomas Pigeon Aircraft Company, the following might be of interest.

The Pigeon Hollow Spar Co. of Boston, Massachusetts, apparently had specialized in manufacturing spars and masts for ships in the 1800s and was still in business during World War One and for some time after. In 1917, it built, under contract, a monoplane for George Albree for which Albree had a contract with the Aviation Section of the US Army. The airplane was delivered to the Army in September 1917 but was unsuccessful. The company name during that time period was also referred to as the Pigeon-- Frazer Hollow Spar Co.

Following the war, the company fabricated some wood parts for airplane manufacturers, specifically out-riggers for the tails of the first four Curtiss NC-4 flying boats (one of which was the first airplane to fly the Atlantic) and supplied cars and fins to the Connecticut Aircraft Company for the B-Class airships which that company was manufacturing for the Navy.

The Pigeon Hollow Spar Company's letterhead in December 1922 read: Pigeon Hollow Spar Co., Hollow Spars - Derricks - Flagpoles, Established 1830, 131 Coleridge St., E. Boston. At that time, the company's correspondence was being signed by a Fred L. Pigeon.

One of the above Albree airplanes made by the Pigeon Hollow Spar Co. is in the collection of The Rhinebeck Museum in Rhinebeck, New York, and they may have further information on the company. I would also suggest that Yanks contact the Massachusetts Aviation Historical Society (POB 457, Wakefield, MA Ol$80-0957); the Boston public library; the Massachusetts State Historical Society; etc., which would probably have the city or business directories for the 1917 to 1925 period, This should open up other search avenues, such as newspapers, that would lead to information on the manufacturer and possibly the flying boat they are restoring. Also, the internet might produce some information.

It seems improbable that there were two companies during that period using Pigeon in their names that dabbled in airplane manufacture, but had no connection. And, I have never heard of an airplane company with the Pigeon name associated with Ithaca, New York.

Robert Casari 6 Applewood Dr. Chillicothe, OH 45601,1901