Irwin Meteorplane M-T-2

Model M-T-2 (1928) from Irwin Aircraft Company established 1908, Sacramento, CA. Machines ranging from 90-180 HP. Won trophy in 210 mile race for 2 hour 37 minute time with gasoline consumption of 5 1 /4 gallons and 1 quart oil. The M-T-2 is the latest development of the Model M-T, the world's first successful small airplane originally brought out in 1914, perfected and put on the market in 1919.
The M-T-2 may be purchased completely built or in inch-down form, making it the ideal plane for the aero enthusiast who wishes to learn by practical experience how to construct and fly aircraft. This little plane has flown with every known make of motorcycle engine and it will fly with any good engine up to 30 HP which does not weigh more than 3 pounds to the HP
Span-20 feet
Overall length-14 feet

Blueprints: $3.50
Ailerons:$12.50
Stabilizing Plane: $10.00
Horizontal Rudders: $10.00
Vertical Rudder and Fin: $7.50
Strut panels: $20.00
Trussing wire: $2.00
Control Cable: $5.00
Wing turnbuckles and pins: $8.00
Cloth: $10.00
Strut fittings: $18.00
Axel fitted with collars $7.50
Clincher tires: $11.00
Wire Wheels: $25.00
Tubes: $4.00
Gas Tank: $8.00
Motor Bearers: $7.50
Cowling Panel: $3.50
Clear Nitrate dope: $22.50 (apparently very tasty to cows)
Spar Varnish: $5.00
5 ft Propellor: $20.00
Irwin Motor: $375.00
Lower Main Beams: $43.00
Top Main Planes: $44.00
Fusealage: $77.00

for flyaway $1,165
Crated for shipment $1,200

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I have a original copy of the Irwin Meteorplane M-T-2 plans consisting of 5 sheets that I have for auction on Ebay.

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After looking at 2 small photos of Meteorplanes I became interested in aircraft that could take a working stiff of that era into the air. About 30 years ago I located a partially completed one with the plans rolled in the cockpit. Since it was somewhat pre-fab they are not too detailed. I copied them to add to my colection.To me it was a great find. Bill Hill

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Jack Irwin started this in Sacramento, Ca. and moved to the then Watsonville airport (the old one that became a blimp base during WWII). He closed up shop (mid-thirties)when the CAA insisted he change the control hinging from the over & under leather straps to metal hinges which the structure wouldn't take as it was. I think it was his personal airframe and engine that was taken to Bolinas and refurbished and displayed at the Watsonville airshow. Talk about your basic airplane - there was absolutely nothing on it that wasn't essential to get it and one people off the ground. From some of the correspondence I salvaged from the scatter in an old shed if a person was too heavy or the air too thin the Meteormotor would not do the job. Both Jack and his wife were small light people.

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This aircraft was in a Sport Aviation article about it's designer back in the 1970's. The airplane itself was a homebuilt design from maybe the 1920's or '30's. If I rememaber correctly it was either sold as a kit or plans and not a one-off design.

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