Alexander Aircraft Corporation built about 100 aircraft
in Englewood, CO before their factory burned. They then moved to Colorado Springs
where they built approximately 1000 more Alexander aircraft. During the period
1926-1931, Alexander Aircraft was the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world.
This Eaglerock is known as a "Longwing" because the lower wings have a greater
span than the uppers. This was done to reduce the wing loading which would give the ship
better performance at high altitudes. The "longwing" idea proved to be of marginal
value and was soon dropped.
The ship is powered by a 90 horsepower Curtiss OX-5 engine of World War One vintage.
Following WWI, many OX-5 engines were available at low prices and these engines
powered many of America's civil aircraft for over a decade following the end of
the conflict. The Eaglerock would cruise at about 70 miles per hour. The ship
represents the state of the art in 1926.
The Alexander Aircraft Corporation had finacial problems in the early 1930's and
liquidated. Most of the Alexander assets were acquired by Aircraft Mechanics
Incorporated, now known as AMI and the Alexander legacy continued in AMI
for many years. The company still exists today as a division of BF Goodrich
making aircraft ejection seats.
When Alexander Aircraft was building the Eaglerocks in Englewood, they maintained
a flying field in Denver County. This field was located where the Marriott Hotel
Southeast now stands at I-25 and Hampden.
Here is an excellent article from Southwest Aviator Magazine about the
Alexander Eaglerock.
Our Eaglerock
This Alexander Eaglerock was built in Englewood, Colorado in 1926. It was the
sixteenth Eaglerock off the production line. |
