Timm Aircoach

Aircoach
Role	Cabin biplane
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	O.W. Timm Aircraft Company[1]
Designer	Otto Timm
Introduction	September 1928
Number built	1

The Timm Aircoach, also called the Timm Coach and the Golden Shell Special, was a custom-built, high-capacity, high altitude aircraft for charter flights.[2]

Design and development

The Aircoach was built in a shop at Glendale Airport, where Otto and Wally Timm had a shop. Al Menasco had a shop nearby where he modified engines. The Aircoach used a Menaso modified Salmson engine.

The Aircoach was a single engine, conventional landing gear equipped biplane with an open cockpit for two pilots and enclosed passenger cabin. The fuselage was made of welded steel tubing with plywood covering.[3]

Operational history

Roscoe Turner flew the underpowered Shell Special Golden Shell twice, attempting endurance records. Each flight resulted in damage and the efforts were abandoned.[3]

Specifications (Aircoach)

Data from Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1928,[4] Aerofiles:Timm[5]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: 5 pax
• Length: 31 ft 9 in (9.67 m)
• Wingspan: 45 ft 0 in (13.71 m)
• Height: 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m)
• Fuel capacity: 70 US gal (58 imp gal; 260 L)
• Powerplant: 1 × Menasco-Salmson B-2 9-cylinder water-cooled radial piston engine, 260 hp (190 kW)
• Propellers: 2-bladed fixed pitch propeller

Performance

• Maximum speed: 97 kn (112 mph, 180 km/h)
  
• Landing speed: 35 mph (30 kn; 56 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 87 kn (100 mph, 160 km/h)

References

1. Cooper, Ralph S. "Otto W. Timm". earlyaviators.com. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
2. Underwood, John (2006). Grand Central Air Terminal. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Pub. p. 36. ISBN 0-73854-682-8.
3. "unknown". Skyways (July 2001): 52. {{cite journal}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
4. Grey, C.G., ed. (1928). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1928. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. p. 253c-254c.
5. Eckland, K.O. "Timm". aerofiles.com. Retrieved 8 March 2018.