Victor Roos
Victor H. Roos | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | AviationEntrepreneurship |
Victor H. Roos(April 26, 1888 – October 6, 1964)[1]was an Americanentrepreneurand the founder or co-founder of several early aircraft companies, includingCessna Aircraft.
Biography
[edit]
In 1917 Roos was a distributor ofHarley Davidsonpedal cycles inOmaha, Nebraska,[2]becoming one of the largest distributors in the Midwest.[3]
In 1922, Roos and partner A.H. Fetters bought the aviation assets of theMaryland Pressed Steel Companyand formed theRoos-Bellancacompany (also known as the Omaha Aircraft Company) to build rising designerGiuseppe Bellanca's monoplane design, theCF.Only one example was built, but it became famous from its modern design, and publicity stunts such as holding in-flight weddings.[4][5]The company dissolved in 1924.
In September 1927,Travel AirfounderClyde Cessnasplit fromWalter BeechformingCessna-Roos aircraft.Roos became the second largest shareholder in the start-up venture that went on to produce the most popular general aviation aircraft in the world. Roos resigned just one month into the partnership, selling back his interest to Cessna, and the company changed its name to Cessna Aircraft in December 1927.[6]
In November 1927, the owner of theSwallow Airplane Company,Jacob Moellendick, became insolvent after sidelining Swallow production to make theDallas Spiriton credit to enter theDole Air Derby.[7]Roos took control of the company, becoming the general manager,[8]then left in 1928.
In 1928 Roos joined the American Eagle aircraft company, which produced more Bellanca designed aircraft. Roos and partners agreed to merge withLincoln-Page Aircraft Company,becoming theAmerican Eagle-Lincoln Aircraftbased atFairfax Airportin Kansas City, Missouri,[9]where he became president. When the company dissolved during the depression, Roos founded the short livedVictor H. Roos Aircraft Companyto continue to sell the American Eaglet design.[10]With Roos's permission,Ben Howardbuilt his famous air racer "Mr. Mulligan"at the factory site after production of the Eaglet had ceased.[11]
AfterWorld War IIRoos founded the Automatic Coin Machine Company in Kansas City to distributejukeboxmachines.[12]
References
[edit]- ^Victor H. Roos' grave site in Omaha, Nebraska
- ^Motorcycle Illustrated.4 January 1917.
{{cite journal}}:Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^Aerial Age Weekly.15–16. 1923.
{{cite journal}}:Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^Bellanca C.F.: the emergence of the cabin monoplane in the United States.
- ^Ross Smyth.The Lindbergh of Canada: the Erroll Boyd story.
- ^Robert M. Kane (1975).Air Transportation.ISBN9780840301703.
- ^Joe Christy, LeRoy Cook (1987).American Aviation.ISBN9780830624973.
- ^Jay M. Price.Wichita's legacy of flight.
- ^Popular Aviation.December 1931.
{{cite journal}}:Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^Donald M. Pattillo.History in the Making 80 turbulent years in the American general aviation.
- ^American Aviation Historical Society Journal.33–34. 1988.
{{cite journal}}:Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^Billboard.31 August 1946.
{{cite magazine}}:Missing or empty|title=(help)