Thomas-Morse Aircraft
 | |
 Thomas Brothers Aeroplane Company in Ithaca, New York in 1915 | |
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1910 |
| Founders | Oliver W. Thomas, William T. Thomas |
| Defunct | 1934 |
| Fate | Purchased by Consolidated Aircraft |
Key people | Frank L. Morse |
The Thomas-Morse Aircraft Corporation was a prominent U.S. aircraft producer that operated until its 1929 acquisition by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation.
History
Established in 1910 by English-born siblings William T. Thomas and Oliver W. Thomas as the Thomas Brothers Company in Hammondsport, New York, the firm underwent two relocations during its inaugural year, ultimately settling in Bath, New York.[1] Initial activities included running the Thomas Brothers School of Aviation at Conesus Lake, inspired by Glenn Curtiss’s flight school model.[1] In 1913, the enterprise was rebranded as Thomas Brothers Aeroplane Company and transferred operations to Ithaca, New York.[1]
By 1915, with Benjamin D. Thomas—an engineer with prior experience at Vickers and Sopwith—as chief designer, the company developed the T-2 tractor biplanes for the Royal Naval Air Service and produced floatplane versions for the U.S. Navy designated SH-4. The British military procured 24 T-2s for use during World War I.[2] To mitigate engine supply constraints, the firm created a subsidiary named the Thomas Aeromotor Company, which however placed financial pressure on the organization.[3]
In 1916, a contract was awarded by the U.S. Army Signal Corps to test the D-5 aircraft.[2] Due to fiscal difficulties, a merger occurred in January 1917 with Morse Chain Company, headed by Frank L. Morse and financially supported by H.T. Westinghouse,[3] resulting in the formation of Thomas-Morse Aircraft Corporation, which retained its headquarters in Ithaca.[1]
Following this consolidation, Thomas-Morse concentrated on producing military training and fighter aircraft, achieving notable success with the S-4 trainer series and MB line of fighters. Their last design was the O-19 observation biplane. After being acquired by Consolidated Aircraft in 1929, it became known as the Thomas-Morse Division before ceasing operations in 1934.[1]
Aircraft
| Model name | First flight | Number built | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Brothers D-2 | |||
| Thomas Brothers D-5 | |||
| Thomas Brothers HS | |||
| Thomas Brothers T-2 | 1914 | 25 | Single-engine biplane |
| Thomas Brothers S-4 | 1917 | 577 | Single-engine advanced trainer biplane |
| Thomas Brothers SH-4 | 15 | Floatplane variant of T-2 | |
| Thomas-Morse MB-1 | 1918 | 1 | Single-engine monoplane fighter |
| Thomas-Morse MB-2 | 1918 | 2 | Single-engine biplane fighter |
| Thomas-Morse MB-3 | 1919 | 265 | Single-engine biplane fighter |
| Thomas-Morse MB-4 | 1920 | min. 2 | Twin-engine biplane mail carrier |
| Thomas-Morse MB-6 | 1921 | 3 | Single-engine biplane racer |
| Thomas-Morse MB-7 | 1921 | 2 | Single-engine monoplane racer |
| Thomas-Morse MB-9 | 1922 | 1 | Single-engine monoplane fighter |
| Thomas-Morse MB-10 | 1921 | 1 | Single-engine monoplane trainer |
| Thomas-Morse R-5 | 1922 | 2 | Single-engine monoplane racer |
| Thomas-Morse TM-24 | 1925 | 1 | Single-engine biplane observation aircraft |
| Thomas-Morse O-6 | 5–6 | All-metal adaptation of Douglas O-2 | |
| Thomas-Morse O-19 | 176 | Single-engine biplane observation plane | |
| Thomas-Morse XP-13 Viper | 1 | Single-engine biplane fighter |