Pigeon Fraser

The wheels had no spokes - instead springs were used, to give some form of shock absorption.

The most distinctive aspect of was the lack of elevators â€" instead, the fuselage was hinged so that the entire tail moved up and down to control incidence.

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Three built, the first of which crashed. One is apparently still in existence at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York.

Although the first powered airplane flight was accomplished in the United Staes in 1903, the Pigeon Fraser demonstrates exactly how far behind the U.S. had slipped in aviation technology by the time it entered World War I in 1917. The Pigeon Fraser might have been a competitive "scout" (single-seat fighter) - in 1915. Compare it with the German Fokker or French Morane-Saulnier monoplane "scouts" of that period. However, by late 1917, when the Pigeon Fraser first flew, its' design was already hopelessly obsolete.

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Pigeon-Fraser Model SG Pursuit -1917 - tractor monoplane land plane, Albree design.Number built: Two complete aircraft, plus one Model SG fuselage only, were ordered by U.S. Army April 17, 1917.
Single place, Span: 37'11", Height: 8'5.5" Length: 24', with General Vehicle- Gnome 9 cyl.100 hp. rotary engine, Max. Speed: 103mph.

First aircraft Model SG- SC-#116 delivered in September 1917 and SG- SC #117 followed in November 1917. First flight: both were flown and successfully tested by contract pilots including Eddie Stinson, at Langley Field, VA. However there were no official flights authorized to be made for the U.S. Army acceptance process. The third Model SG order under the same contract was for a fuselage only, no engine to be provided and with instructions for it to be shipped to the Colt Arms Company, Hartford, CT. (Possibly for mounting and testing a machine gun installation) The SG fuselage was completed and shipped in the fall of 1917.
(Recognition notes: two Model SGs for the Army had their SC Serial #s: high on the vertical stabilizer for #117, and lower for #116).
Markings: U.S. Army standard aircraft wing star markings for 1917.

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The photo shows the Pigeon-Fraser Scout, also known as the Model 9, the Albree Scout, or the Timson-Albree. The Pigeon Hollow Spar Company, which produced the Scout, also produced a flying boat called the Thomas-Pigeon. Mr. Denz below mentions a Model I and a Model II as well. The "Model 9" for the Scout suggests that this obscure company also produced additional models for which I have no information.

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I have 8 1 /2 x 11 origional photos of two subsequent Pigeon aircraft: the I and much larger II a three bladed prop bi plane of which only three were made. They were used by N.A.T. in the early 1930's. I have quite a few such photos of N.A.T aircraft, operations and the like. My father was an employee from about 1927 through the forming of United and to about 1942. If this is of any interest let me know.
RFD

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