Set up during early 1950s to develop 'channeling' concept
devised by its President, Willard R. Custer. (Wing contours
formed semi-circular channel/duct in which two pusher engines were suspended). Small-scale experimental
aircraft with this configuration flown December
1951; another test aircraft flew shortly afterwards. Followed
by Custer CCW-5 (flown July 1953), a modified
Baumann Brigadier (built by that company) with a
channel wing and two Continental engines, and expected
to take off in a few feet, rise vertically, hover and land vertically.
First production model flew June 1964. Custer retired early 1968, but remained as consultant throughout
prolonged certification program by DeVore Aviation
Service Corporation. Despite its founder's efforts to keep
the company solvent, Custer Channel Wing Corporation
eventually closed through lack of funds.
