Era

Welch Aircraft Industries OW-6

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Welch OW-6M NX14528

The 1935 OW-6M two place high wing cabin monoplane (ATC 636) sold for $995-1,195. Six were built; NC13521 c/n 109, NX/NC14528 c/n 112, NC18248 c/n 133, NC18429 c/n 134, NC18461 c/n 131, NC20405 c/n 137, plus one prototype OW-6S, NX14521 c/n 110, with a 45hp Szekely SR-30 and an experimental, two-speed gear-reduction system.

Variation:
Stewart Texas Bluebird

OW-6M
Engine: 36hp Aeronca E-113
Wingspan: 34’5″
Length: 20’8″
Useful load: 435 lb
Max speed: 89 mph
Cruise speed: 78 mph
Stall: 35 mph
Range: 240 mi

OW-6S

Welch Aircraft Industries Falcon OW-5 / ACE Falcon

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Welch OW-5M NC18261

Welch Aircraft Industries introduced the Falcon OW-5 in 1931, of which about 65 built, at South Bend, Indiana, between 1935-1940.

A two place high wing monoplane, the 1934 OW-5M with folding wings sold for $995. Thirty-eight were built; NC11382, NC13500, NC13511, NC18257/18261, NC18269/18271, NC18348, NC18378/18381, NC18394, NC18396, NC20402/20404, NC20452/20456, NC20459/20468, NC20488/20489, powered by a 40hp Continental A-40 or 45hp Welch O-2 under ATCs 636 and 637.

Prototype NC11382 was fitted with a 60hp Anzani as the ACE Falcon, later replaced by a 40hp Salmson, and one (NC13511) was fitted with a 40hp Rathel, later replaced by a 45hp Szekely.

ATC 2-474 was for a weight change for NC13500.

OW-5M
Wingspan: 34’5″
Length: 20’8″
Useful load: 410-435 lb
Max speed: 85 mph
Cruise speed: 75 mph
Stall: 30 mph
Range: 240 mi

ACE Falcon

Falcon advertisement

Welch Aircraft Industries OW-2

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Two 1928 Welsh OW-2 open cockpit biplanes were built. The first, N5105, was modified from an OW-1, then modified again as a 5 place with replacement motor, but destroyed in a hangar fire in November 1929.

A secod OW-2 was N11142 c/n 106.

Engine: Hisso A, 150 hp
Wingspan: 31’2″
Length: 24’4″
Useful load: 800 lb
Max speed: 101 mph
Cruise speed: 96 mph
Stall: 32 mph
Range: 400 mi
Seats: 3

Welch Aircraft Industries 1927 biplane

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Designed by Fred Parker and Orin Welch, the open cockpit 1927 biplane was loosely based on a Swallow design. One was built, N1405, with. “Elephant ear” ailerons, and faired-in radiator underneath. The first production for Welch Co, dubbed Miss Anderso, it was used as a company hack until its eventual sale. Badly damaged after a forced landing in a cornfield, it went into storage, then lost.

Engine: Curtiss OX-5, 90hp
Wingspan: 36’0″
Length: 28’0″
Useful load: 800 lb
Seats: 3

Welch Aircraft Industries

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USA
Founded in 1927 as the (Orin) Welch Aircraft Co, Anderson IN.
Fixed-base operator Orin Welch built aircraft for his West Virginia Flying School in late 1920s.
In 1928 became the Welch Aviation Co.
Refinanced in 1931 as Air-Craft Corp of America, 1406 S Meridian Ave, Anderson and Portland IN.
Introduced his aircraft Falcon OW-5 in 1931, of which about 65 built, at South Bend, Indiana, between 1935-1940.
Became Welch Aircraft Industries Inc, 1720 Mishawauka St, South Bend IN in 1936.
In 1940 was acquired by Aircraft Corp, La Porte IN as Welch Aircraft Developments, 221 Conyham St, Wilkes Barre PA.