Verville Aircraft Company

The Verville Aircraft Company was a Detroit, Michigan based manufacturer of small airplanes and flying boats, which became bankrupt during the Great Depression. Alfred V. Verville started the corporation after working for multiple aviation companies. An innovative corporation, it could not survive the difficult financial crisis of the early 1930s.[1] The Verville Aircraft Company was located at 4815 Cabot Street, Detroit, Michigan,[2] occupying the former Rickenbacker plant. Verville Aircraft was organized by Walter Briggs, Sr., president and chairman of Briggs Manufacturing Company.[3] Barney Everett (Everitt) served as the president of the company.[4] The treasurer was S. E. Poole.

Verville Aircraft Company
Company typePrivate
FoundedDetroit, U.S. (1928 (1928))
FounderWalter Briggs, Sr.
Alfred V. Verville
DefunctDecember 1931 (1931-12)
FateBankruptcy
Headquarters,
Key people
  • Barney Everett (Everitt)
    (President)
  • Louis G. Meister
  • Edgar A. Goff, Jr.
  • Charles S. Knight
    (Test Pilot)

History

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First Airplane

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The first dedicated passenger plane that Verville Aircraft produced was the Verville Air Coach.

 
Verville Air Coach

After being acquired by Briggs, the manufacturer produced a light plane followed by the construction of two others.[3]

The following designers worked for Verville Aircraft:[5]

Insolvency

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A judge in the chancery court in Wilmington, Delaware appointed a receiver for the firm in December 1931.[1]

Aircraft

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References

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  1. ^ a b Verville Aircraft to Receiver, Wall Street Journal, January 1, 1932, pg. 4.
  2. ^ Reeves, Earl, "Aviation's place in tomorrow's business", Commercial Aeronautics, c1930, United States Link 2
  3. ^ a b Verville Aircraft Company, Wall Street Journal, August 7, 1928, pg. 15.
  4. ^ "Rickenbacker Motor Company, Detroit City History". Renf@umich.edu or Judym@umich.edu. October 2007. Retrieved 2009-08-29.
  5. ^ Lesley Forden (2003). "Chapter 8 - The Last Pathfinder" (PDF). Aviation Foundation of America. Retrieved 2009-08-29.
  6. ^ Ralph S. Cooper, D.V.M. "Capt. Lionel Woolson, Designer of the Packard-Diesel Engine". Retrieved 2009-08-29.. Home.earthlink.net (1930-04-26). Retrieved on 2009-08-29. Copy of Packard Inner Circle, Detroit Mich., April 26, 1930
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