Baumann Brigadier 250

The picture shows the prototype B 250, which first flew for the first time in June 1947. Powered by two 125 h.p pusher piston engines (Continental?), hence B 250. This was the plane that was sold, along with all drawings, to Piper and formed the basis of their first twin the still born PA 21.
Baumann went on to develop the B 290 which was identical apart from the engine installation of 2 x 145 h.p. Continental C145-H flat six air cooled engines.

Spec for B 290:
Accommodation 1 pilot and 4 passengers

Span 41'0" Length 27'5" Height 10'2" Wing area 207 sq ft
Empty weight 2,200 lb Gross weight 3,500 lb

Max speed 190 mph Cruising speed 165 mph Range 750 miles Service ceiling 18,000 ft

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A Baumann Brigadier was modified into the Custer CCW-5 Channel Wing aircraft, retaining an essentially-unchanged fuselage and tail surfaces, with a new wing incorporating Custer's "channel wing" concept. Though Custer had flown Channel Wing designs before, they were somewhat crudely made and limited in their capacities. The Brigadier allowed the demonstration of the concept on an aircraft design of reasonable sophistication and practical use. Despite demonstrating STOL capability, the Channel Wing concept never reached production.

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My father worked for Jack Baumann, part-time during the late 40's to early 50's. I remember sitting in the aircraft several times during those years. The Baumann Brigadier has always been part of my childhood memories. What a fantastic time for aviation, but a bad time for small aviation companies.

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Mr. Baumann
What ever happen to your corp. I have an interest do to the passing of a friend who had stock in your aircaft caompany.

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That's me flying the Brigadier in the photo above. I am first cousin to Jack Baumann, creator of the Brigadier design. I designed most of the structure and systems on the Brigadier, helped build it and flew it on its maiden flight on June 28, 1947. This prototype Brigadier and a complete set of drawings were sold to Piper Aircraft in Lockhaven, Pennsylvania on July 28, 1949 to help them get started in the light twin business. The Apache structure design was based on the Brigadier. A second Brigadier was built which I helped to build and flew on it's maiden flight on June 25, 1952. I did all the flight test work for FAA certification. This second Brigadier was donated to the Experimental Aircraft Association Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on May 24, 1970. The Brigadier had exceptional flying qualities and performace because of enhanced lift enduced by the pusher propellers.

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I was a young design draftsman while in college working with Jack Baumann about the time he was trying to get CAA certification around 1954. In North Hollywood,Calif.

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