Classified by Jane’s in 1910 as an “Air Sucker” of George Thompson, this had an oval fuselage with a wing on top, and propellers within the body to “suck air in, and expel it to work the machine.” No flight data was recorded.
Pioneers
Thompson, George
Kingston OK.
USA
Airplane builder circa 1910.
Thomas Brothers Nacelle Pusher
The 1913 Thomas Bros. three-seat nacelle pusher biplane was powered by a 90 hp Austro-Daimler engine. Distinctive are the equal span wings, the nacelle mounted on the wing, the sturdy four-wheel inclusive skids undercarriage and the double rudder. This machine must not be confused with a quite similar single seater nacelle pusher also built by Thomas in 1913. This single seater differed in having unequal span wings and the nacelle that was fitted between the wings.
Span: 37′
Length: 27′
Thomas Brothers E / Special Biplane
Developed in 1913 from the Thomas TA. Reportedly 12 were built.
One, as the Thomas Special Biplane, with 33’0″ wings and 80hp Curtiss pusher, set an altitude record of 13,000′ in 1913 piloted by Frank Burnside.
E
Engine: 65hp Kirkham pusher
Wingspan: (upper) 37’0″
Wingspan: (lower) 27’0″
Length: 27’0″
Special Biplane
Wingspan: 33’0″
Engine: 80hp Curtiss pusher
Thomas Brothers TA / TA Hydro
The Thomas TA was the second Thomas product. Fitted with four trailing-edge ailerons, and nacelle fuselage, early seaplane models had tubular wing floats.
At least two TA model were built, plus perhaps others built with varied motors of 65-90hp. The first was the 1910 model with exposed cockpit and interplane ailerons, which set an endurance record of four hours in 1912, piloted by Walter Johnson. One was tested as a single-float tractor version in 1912, but results were inconclusive.
The sole TA Tractor of 1912 had a partially-covered fuselage. It was probably a single-float conversion from a TA, but proved lacking in performance compared to the pusher.
The 1913 TA Hydro was the first all-metal hull in the USA.
TA
Engine: 50-65hp Kirkham pusher
Seats: 2
TA Tractor
Engine: 50hp Kirkham
Wingspan: (upper) 37’0″ (lower) 27’0″
Length: 27’0″
Speed: 58 mph
Seats: 2
TA Hydro
Engine: 90hp Austro-Diamler / 100hp Maximotor
Wingspan: 33’0″
Length: 23’0″
Seats: 1
Thomas Brothers T-2
The T-2 biplane was designed by Benjamin D Thomas in 1914, based on his Curtiss J design. Twenty-four with 90hp Curtiss OX were exported to Great Britain in 1915.
Engine: Austro-Daimler, 90hp
Wingspan: 36’0″
Useful load: 897 lb
Speed: 83 mph
Seats: 2
Thomas Brothers B-5
In 1914, the Thomas Company advertised aviation for sport, war and business. Their earlier models, the B-4 and B-5 were used as trainers for civilian pilots seeking thrills, speed and fortune.
Thomas Brothers B-3 / B-4
Built in 1912, the 2-3 seat B-3 and B-4 had a wooden hull covered with galvanized iron sheeting. A 1914 version incorporated streamlining, and 1915 model was a three place “luxury cruiser” with a mahogany hull.
In 1914, the Thomas Company advertised aviation for sport, war and business. Their earlier models, the B-4 and B-5 were used as trainers for civilian pilots seeking thrills, speed and fortune.
Three or four were built.
B-3 / B-4
Engine: Austro-Daimler, 90hp pusher
Speed: 65 mph
Thomas Brothers Standard Biplane
The 1913 Thomas Standard Biplane was a design modification of the 1912 tractor TA with open cockpit, a nacelle fuselage, twin tails, and underslung lower wing.
Engine: 65hp Kirkham pusher
Wingspan: (upper) 37’0″
Wingspan: (lower) 27’0″
Speed: 58 mph
Range: 70-100 mi
Seats: 2
Thomas Brothers 1913 Monoplane
The 1913 Thomas Monoplane was a single place Blériot look-alike with quad gear.
Engine: 40hp Maximotor or 65hp Kirkham pusher
Wingspan: 32’0″
Length: 30’0″
Seats: 1
All Aero 