Photograph
Home-Built Airplane by Mel Thompson
| The bi-plane constructed by Melvin Thompson during the years 1918-1920 on his farm near the former quarry in Lamont Township. |
| Image ID: | 10548 |
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| Creation Date: | |
| Creator Name: | Unknown |
| City: | Lamont |
| County: | Lafayette |
| State: | Wisconsin |
| Collection Name: | Album 24 (Aeronautical History) |
| Genre: | Photograph |
| Original Format Type: | negative, b/w copy |
| Original Format Number: | (X3)2362 |
| Original Dimensions: | 4.25 x 2.75 inches |
| From 1929 to 1936 Thompson was pilot for Governor Walter J. Kohler, Sr. At that time he became manager of the Kohler Airport. In a 1953 letter Thompson stated that the photograph was taken in 1920; that he built the airplane from 1918 to 1920 while running his father's farm in Quarry, WI. "Before getting too far in building it, I took 1 hour's flight instruction at Ralph Diggins Flying School, Chicago, in 1919. In 1922 I had several hours flight instruction from Werner Bunge at Sheboygan Airport. Before that I [had] tried teaching myself and succeeded in hopping fences with my home made job. The airplane used to transport Gov. Walter J. Kohler, Sr., was a Ryan Bl, 5-place cabin. It was a sister ship to Lindbergh's 'Spirit of St. Louis'. This ship was owned by Gov. Kohler, Sr., and I was his pilot from the latter part of 1929 till about 1936, at which time I bought the Ryan to use for charter service. I have operated Kohler Airport since 1937." According to an email from Judith Tadych, this plane was built on the Thompson Farm in the Town of Rockland in Manitowoc County. [1/17/2007] |
| Outdoor photography |
| Airplanes |
| Men |
| Land use, Rural |
| Protective clothing |
| This image is issued by the Wisconsin Historical Society. Use of the image requires written permission from the staff of the Collections Division. It may not be sold or redistributed, copied or distributed as a photograph, electronic file, or any other media. The image should not be significantly altered through conventional or electronic means. Images altered beyond standard cropping and resizing require further negotiation with a staff member. The user is responsible for all issues of copyright. Please Credit: Wisconsin Historical Society. |
| Location: | Wisconsin Historical Society Archives, 4th Floor, Madison, Wisconsin |
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