Country of origin:

United States of America

Description:

Two-seat light aircraft

Power Plant:

One 93 kw (125 hp) Hall-Scott A-5 six-cylinder in-line liquid-cooled engine

Specifications:

History:

The Boeing Model 1, commonly referred to as the Boeing & Westervelt Seaplane F, or B & W, was important in the annals of aviation as the first of a long-line of aircraft produced by Boeing. This machine resulted from collaboration between William E Boeing and Commander G C Westervelt of the US Navy. As was common at the time, the aeroplane was of wood construction with fabric covering and wire braced. It was an unequal span biplane with ailerons only on the upper wings. Power was supplied by a Hall-Scott engine, which was of 824 cubic inch capacity and produced 93 kw (125 hp) at 1,250 rpm, turning a 2.74 m (9 ft) diameter propeller. The machine was fitted with floats.

The prototype (named ‘Bluebird’) was built in a boathouse/hangar on Lake Union, Seattle in Washington State and was first flown on 29 June 1916. At that time Boeing formed Pacific Aero Products Company to develop the design. The following year, on 26 April 1917, the Boeing Airplane Company was formed.

The B & W, or Model 1, was tested at Seattle and then the second aircraft (named ‘Mallard’) was flown for the first time in November 1916. The US Navy did not buy either of the two B & Ws produced, but showed interest in the design and placed an order for 50 Boeing seaplanes.

In 1915 the Walsh Brothers, Leo and Vivian, established the New Zealand Flying School with George Bolt as Chief Instructor. The two Model 1s (c/ns 1 and 2) were obtained, these machines to be used by the school, and also to provide an airmail service for the New Zealand Postal Department. At that time registrations were not allotted to aircraft and the only identifying mark on the aircraft was a letter on the rudder. Power was provided by a Hall-Scott A-5 six-cylinder liquid-cooled engine which provided 93 kw (125 hp) at 1,600 rpm. The first experimental postal service was flown by George Bolt between Auckland and Dargaville on 16 December 1919, the aircraft “F” carrying 825 letters and a parcel of newspapers, and 1,120 letters plus nine newspapers on the return.

The School trained many pilots during and after World War I, many going on to service with the military in Europe with fighter squadrons. The two Boeings served alongside a Caudron floatplane, which was known as a hydro-aeroplane at the time, four Walsh Flying Boats and a Curtiss D flying boat. The organisation was quite large for the time, had workshops to carry out repairs to the aircraft and held a large stock of spares. Other parts were built as required in the workshops. In 1924 the School ceased operations, having been taken over by the New Zealand Government, and the operations were transferred to the fledgling RNZAF at Hobsonville where further training of pilots took place.

The two Model 1s were then dismantled and placed in storage. Various stories abound about them being stored in tunnels under North Head near Auckland, and of them being seen there after World War II. Searches have been made to locate them, and permission sought to examine the tunnel system, but this has not been forthcoming. Other reports have stated the aircraft were burnt at Mission Bay following the demise of the NZFS. Certainly most of the other aircraft that had been operated by the School were burnt as no longer required. One Hall-Scott engine was located and has been restored.

In 1966, when Boeing attained its 50th Anniversary, the Company built an airworthy replica of a Model 1 which has been placed on display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.