Loening
| File:Loening Aeronautical Engineering Corporation Logo.png | |
| File:Loening OA-1A USAF.jpg Loening OA-1A | |
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1917 |
| Founder | Grover Loening |
| Defunct | 1928 |
| Fate | United with Keystone Aircraft in 1928 |
| Successor | Keystone-Loening |
The Loening Aeronautical Engineering Corporation, established in 1917 by Grover Loening, was a pioneer in the design and manufacture of early aircraft and amphibious planes. Following its 1928 merger with Keystone Aircraft Corporation, several engineers departed to create Grumman, while Grover Loening went on to found the Grover Loening Aircraft Company.
History
Founded by Grover Loening in 1917, the company originally operated out of Long Island City, Queens, New York City. It subsequently moved to a loft located at 351 West 52nd Street in Manhattan’s Hell's Kitchen district. In 1921, the corporation leased property at 420-428 East 31st Street, Manhattan, where it constructed a new manufacturing facility that commenced operations in 1922. Additionally, the firm engineered a floating ramp adjacent to the East 31st Street pier, allowing amphibious aircraft to taxi directly into the water—a significant advancement over previous reliance on cranes for launching.
In 1928, Loening merged with Keystone Aircraft Corporation and functioned as the Loening Aeronautical Division. By 1929, this division was absorbed into Curtiss-Wright under the Keystone-Loening name. When plans were made to close Loening’s New York plant and transfer production to Keystone’s facility in Bristol, Pennsylvania, several prominent staff members—including Leroy Grumman, Jake Swirbul, and William Schwendler—opted to stay in New York and established Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation on Long Island. Concurrently, Grover Loening founded the Grover Loening Aircraft Company based in Garden City, New York, which remained active until 1936.
Aircraft
| Model name | First flight | Number built | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loening M-2 Kitten | 1918 | 3 | Amphibious convertible monoplane |
| Loening M-8 | 1918 | 55 | Fighter monoplane |
| Loening PW-2 | 1920 | 7 | Fighter monoplane |
| Loening Model 23 | 1921 | 16 | Pusher-engine flying boat monoplane |
| Loening OL | 1923 | 165 | Flying boat biplane |
| Loening C-1 | 1928 | 8 | Flying boat biplane |
| Loening C-2 | 1928 | 36 | Flying boat biplane |
| Loening XSL | 1931 | 1 | Submarine-launched pusher-engine flying boat monoplane |
See also
External links
- Pages with broken file links
- Defunct aircraft manufacturers in the United States
- American firms founded in 1917
- Manufacturing businesses founded in 1917
- Manufacturing firms closed in 1932
- 1917 establishments in New York State
- 1932 closures in New York City
- Mergers and acquisitions of 1928
- Defunct manufacturing companies located in New York City
- American companies established in 1917