Scott Winslow Associates

PH: (800) 225-6233 FX: (603) 641-5583

LOT #121

GWINN AIRCAR COMPANY

"The Gwinn Aircar looked like a chubby air fish"

(color scan available upon request)

A RARE CERTIFICATE FROM THE GWINN AIRCAR COMPANY

1937, New York. Rare Gwinn Aircar Co. Stock Certificate. 20 Shares. Nr. 70. green, black, green seal.

The idea of a "people’s airplane", much like the concept of the Volkswagen, was always the dream of airplane designers. This was almost realized in the Gwinn Aircar. One of America’s famous cross-country racing pilots, Frank M. Hawks, who had taught Amelia Earhart to fly, became interested in a new prototype named the Gwinn Aircar. This had been financed by a group of Buffalo flying enthusiasts, and named after Joseph Marr Gwinn, Junior, WW I pilot and nationally known engineer and aeronautical designer.

Photo courtesy of Johan Visschedijk
1000aircraftphotos.com

The Gwinn Aircar looked like a chubby air fish, had a tricycle landing gear and no rudder. The two-seater Gwinn had a cruising speed of 123 mph; due to restrictions incorporated in the elevator, flaps and ailerons, the Aircar would not stall or spin, even with improper use of the controls. Flying instruction only took half the normal time before the student was ready for his solo-flight. Frank Hawks commented at the time: "I’m convinced that this little baby is miles ahead of aviation and tomorrow’s dream come true just because anybody can fly it, not just a super trained pilot". The car could take off and land "on a postage stamp" on highways and could fit into any three car garage.

Unfortunately, after several successful flights, during trials in 1938 with Hawks at the controls, the Gwinn Aircar crashed into a power cable and both Hawks and his passenger were killed ending experimentation on this revolutionary aircar concept. The stock is signed by Joseph Marr Gwinn, Junior, the famous aircraft designer and namesake of the Gwinn Aircar. This stock came from the Estate of Gibson Gardner, who was one of the principal financiers, and only three examples are known, two of which the family wishes to retain. This is the chance for a collector to get an extremely rare and fascinating piece of aviation history of a unique aircraft. $750. up

Click to download

Bid Sheet Mail, Fax or Phone in your bid.
You may also email your bid at onlinesales@scottwinslow.com

All items are unconditionally guaranteed to be authentic. If an item is found not to be authentic, the full sale price will be refunded.
A 15% BUYERS PREMIUM WILL BE ADDED TO THE FINAL HAMMER PRICE.
All accounts are payable in full upon receipt of invoice unless other arrangements have been made prior to the sale. Any special credit terms should be made as early as possible. Title does not pass until full payment has been received.
No "Buy" or unlimited bids will be accepted.
We reserve the right to reject any bid we feel is not made in good faith.
In the case of tie bids on the book, the earliest received shall take precedence.
This is not an approval sale. Lots may not be returned except for reasons of authenticity or a material error in the catalog description.
Please bid in U.S. dollars and only in whole dollar amounts. Fractions of a dollar will be rounded down to the nearest dollar.
Some lots may be subject to a reserve.
Shipping charges will be added to all invoices.
The placing of a bid shall constitute the bidders acceptance of these terms of sale.

This sale is being held under the laws of the State of Virginia.

Please contact onlinesales@scottwinslow.com for further assistance