George H. Prudden
George Henry Prudden, Jr. | |
---|---|
Born | February 18, 1893 |
Died | January 20, 1964 | (aged 70)
Alma mater | University of Minnesota |
Occupation | Aircraft Engineer |
Partner | Nancy Prudden |
Children | Terry Prudden |
Parent | George Prudden |
George Henry Prudden, Jr. (February 18, 1893 – January 20, 1964) was an American aircraft engineer. He was instrumental in designing the first all metal aircraft in America. He was president of the Early Birds of Aviation in 1961.
Early life
Born on 18 February 1893, George, and his brother Earl, were interested in aviation from an early age, being featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch with an airplane model of his design in 1909. By 24 June 1910, Prudden had soloed a plane of his own design based on the Wright Flyer.[1]
Despite his flying experience, George Prudden served in the
In 1927, Prudden founded the Prudden-San Diego Airplane Company, to manufacture an all-metal trimotor with Ryan supplied engines.[4] In November 1928, Prudden left the company at the height of the depression and the company was renamed to the Solar Aircraft Company.[5] The company Prudden founded is still active as Solar Turbines Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc.
Later, Prudden developed the Prudden-Whitehead monoplane with the Atlanta Aircraft Corporation. While in Atlanta, Prudden helped develop Candler Field, Atlanta.
In 1932, Prudden worked for
In World War II, Prudden managed the
In 1961, Prudden became the President of the Early birds of Aviation.
He died on January 20, 1964.
Legacy
Many of Prudden's awards were displayed in the San Diego Air & Space Museum, but were destroyed in a 1978 arson fire.
References
- ^ The Early Birds of Aviation CHIRP. December 1964.
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(help) - ^ William B. Stout, Bobbs-Merrill. So Away I Went.
- ^ National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Wind and Beyond: A Documentary Journey Into the History of Aerodynamics. p. 232.
- ^ "The Boom Fades". Retrieved 25 February 2011.
- ^ Richard A. Leyes, William A. Fleming. The history of North American small gas turbine aircraft engines.
- ^ "Lockheed Altair aircraft". Retrieved 25 February 2011.
- ^ "George H. Prudden". Retrieved 25 Feb 2011.