History:

In 1930 Lawrence Schaeffer of Loxton, South Australia commenced construction of a two-seat parasol wing monoplane to be fitted with a converted Dodge four-cylinder motor car engine. Construction was of metal, using a tubular steel frame with metal covering and was said to be the first all-metal aircraft built in Australia. Work on the aircraft proceeded for about two years but was never completed.

Heavy iron plate was used in some areas and the aircraft was held together by rivets and bolts. The pilot was to fly the aircraft from the rear seat and it did not have dual controls. Wheels were from a motor car The designer claimed the aircraft was the first Australian-built all-metal aircraft. The basic fuselage, as far as it had got at that stage, was displayed at the Loxton Show in October 1932. Aviators who visited and saw the aircraft informed Mr Schaeffer the aircraft was too heavy.

Later Mr Schaeffer was married and abandoned work on the aircraft and it was left in the yard of a local property under cover and remained there when he moved to Mt Barker. It seems the machine was acquired by the Loxton Historical Village in the 1980s for restoration and display.

Wingspan 12.19 m (40 ft); length 9.14 m (30 ft); wing area 26.01 m² (280 sq ft).

Further information:

Information on this aircraft is currently limited. The Author welcomes any further specifications and/or details to update the site.