Fowler Airplane Corporation

Fowler Airplane Corporation

Industry	Manufacturing
Founded	1918
Founder	Robert G. Fowler
Headquarters	San Francisco, California , United States
Products	Aircraft

The Fowler Airplane Corporation was an aircraft manufacturing firm located in San Francisco, California, active from 1918 through the 1920s. Established by Robert G. Fowler, renowned as the pioneer of staged west-to-east transcontinental flight, the company specialized in aircraft production during and after the First World War.

World War I

In October 1917, Fowler revealed intentions to construct a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing plant at 128 Twelfth Street. Throughout World War I, operations were conducted at a facility on Howard Street, where the company produced Curtiss JN-4D airplanes under contract for the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Fowler was among six authorized manufacturers of this aircraft model, playing a vital role in supplying training planes for military aviators.

Although certain accounts claim Fowler built more than 275 airframes, official documentation confirms only fifty serial numbers assigned (2405–2454). A 1920 report from the House of Representatives records an order for fifty planes constructed by Fowler and accepted by the Air Service between 1917 and 1919. In addition, wing assemblies were subcontracted to the California Aviation Company located in Los Angeles.

This manufacturing involvement established Fowler as a significant contributor to early American military aviation production, enhancing its commercial standing and industry profile during wartime.

Fire

On May 21, 1918, a fire severely damaged the Fowler factory and adjacent structures bounded by 12th and 13th Streets and Howard and Mission Streets, rendering approximately 100 families homeless. The conflagration destroyed fifteen aircraft at various construction stages, including two fully assembled planes scheduled for delivery that day, along with equipment and components sufficient to assemble fifty airplanes. Materials such as dried spruce wood and Irish linen were lost, and machinery suffered extensive damage. Loss estimates ranged from $250,000 to $1 million, with overall damages near $750,000. Reconstruction plans were announced promptly by Fowler.

The blaze reportedly originated in the planing mill of L & E Emanuel Furniture Company, a subcontractor for Fowler. Despite previous security precautions due to threats from German sympathizers targeting firms aiding the American war effort, initial investigations found no proof of deliberate arson. Later inquiries suggested possible involvement by Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) members. Significant assets were lost including linen fabric and nine completed aircraft equipped with Liberty engines ready for shipment to a military base in Texas.

By June 1918, Fowler Airplane Corporation declared its move to the former American Eveready Works facility at 755 Folsom Street as part of its recovery from the fire.

Post-war

A dissolution hearing for the company took place on March 26, 1919. By April 1920, the Interallied Aircraft Corporation, based in New York City, appointed Fowler Airplane Company of San Francisco as their western regional agents and distributors.

In May 1920, Fowler received its initial delivery of Avro aircraft destined for the Pacific Coast from Interallied—marking the first shipment of British airplanes to that region. Plans were made to establish service operations and sales networks throughout California in anticipation of expanding commercial aviation demand. Executives R. G. "Bob" Fowler and W. H. Jones showcased Avro 504K models at prominent venues in San Francisco, generating interest including an inquiry from city officials considering these planes for use in the Hetch Hetchy water project.

Nevertheless, Interallied’s attempt to import British military aircraft was halted following a July 1920 District Court decision favoring Wright Aeronautical in a patent infringement suit. The ruling enforced Wright’s patent rights and prohibited Interallied from marketing foreign-built airplanes within the United States, thereby safeguarding domestic manufacturers and undermining Interallied’s business strategy.

By March 1921, representation for Avro airplanes transitioned to Lawrence Sperry Aircraft Company from Interallied. Following the dissolution of Billy Bishop and William Barker’s partnership, it is probable that Fowler Airplane Company ceased operations around this period.