The Christmas Aeroplane Company was an American aircraft manufacturer.

History

It was founded in October 1909 to produce an aircraft, initially with $1,200 in funding, followed by an additional $2,500. Its founder Dr.

William Whitney Christmas William Whitney Christmas, M.D. (September 1, 1865 – April 14, 1960) was a physician, pioneer aviator, and supposed con man. He was one of many claimants for an early design of the aileron. He was a vice-president of the General Development C ...

had claimed to build and fly his first aircraft, the "Red Bird I" in 1908 becoming the second person to fly an aircraft after the Wright Brothers. The Christmas aeroplane company built its first aircraft, the "Red Bird II" at College Park Maryland with a claimed flight on 15 October 1911. The "Red Bird III" was built in the spring of 1912, with a contract from the U.S. Postal service to deliver Air Mail.

Aircraft

References

{{Reflist Defunct aircraft manufacturers of the United States Aviation in Washington, D.C. American companies established in 1909 1909 establishments in Washington, D.C. Manufacturing companies disestablished in 1912 1912 disestablishments in Washington, D.C. Manufacturing companies established in 1909