Curtiss-Caproni
Encyclopedia
Curtiss-Caproni was a Italian-American aircraft manufacturer formed in the late 1920s to produce Caproni
aircraft in America as part of the Curtiss-Wright
aviation conglomerate.
As early as 1917, Curtiss was contracted to build Caproni designed aircraft. On 18 May 1918, Curtiss received and order to build 500 Caproni aircraft. The Caproni test pilots died testing prototypes, and replacements never materialized.
A production partnership was tried again in 1929 with the forming of the Curtiss-Caproni Company. Curtiss-Caproni built a 200,000sq ft construction factory in Dundalk, Maryland
with a 20 year lease from the city of Baltimore and the hiring of George C. Westervelt as manager. Construction was completed in 1930 at the peak of the great depression
. Employment was reduced to two after completion of the plant and agreements were made to delay operating expenses with the city of Baltimore
until production commenced. The factory was later occupied by the General Aviation Corporation
in 1931. Curtis-Caproni was absorbed into its parent company, the new Curtiss-Wright
on 5 July 1929.
Caproni
thumb|right|300px|[[Caproni Ca.316]] seaplane at its moorings.Caproni was an Italian aircraft manufacturer founded in 1908 by Giovanni Battista "Gianni" Caproni....
aircraft in America as part of the Curtiss-Wright
Curtiss-Wright
The Curtiss-Wright Corporation was the largest aircraft manufacturer in the United States at the end of World War II, but has evolved to largely become a component manufacturer, specializing in actuators, aircraft controls, valves, and metalworking....
aviation conglomerate.
As early as 1917, Curtiss was contracted to build Caproni designed aircraft. On 18 May 1918, Curtiss received and order to build 500 Caproni aircraft. The Caproni test pilots died testing prototypes, and replacements never materialized.
A production partnership was tried again in 1929 with the forming of the Curtiss-Caproni Company. Curtiss-Caproni built a 200,000sq ft construction factory in Dundalk, Maryland
Dundalk, Maryland
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 62,306 people, 24,772 households, and 16,968 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,689.5 people per square mile . There were 26,385 housing units at an average density of 1,985.9 per square mile...
with a 20 year lease from the city of Baltimore and the hiring of George C. Westervelt as manager. Construction was completed in 1930 at the peak of the great depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. Employment was reduced to two after completion of the plant and agreements were made to delay operating expenses with the city of Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
until production commenced. The factory was later occupied by the General Aviation Corporation
Atlantic Aircraft
Atlantic Aircraft Corporation, also known as Fokker-America and Atlantic-Fokker, was a US subsidiary of the Dutch Fokker Company, responsible for sales and information about Fokker imports, and eventually constructing various Fokker designs....
in 1931. Curtis-Caproni was absorbed into its parent company, the new Curtiss-Wright
Curtiss-Wright
The Curtiss-Wright Corporation was the largest aircraft manufacturer in the United States at the end of World War II, but has evolved to largely become a component manufacturer, specializing in actuators, aircraft controls, valves, and metalworking....
on 5 July 1929.