Michigan's WW1 Centennial News Report June 2015

June 2015

The Grand Rapids Airplane Company

The Grand Rapids Airplane Company was formed during November of 1917. The company was an effort of over 14 furniture companies located in Grand Rapids to help with the war`effort and win some of the aviation contracts that were available during the war. J. Hampton Hoult was the General Manager and he was from the Luce Furniture Company. Over 365 Handley Page Bomber were produced before the end of the war. The Grand Rapids Airplane Company also sent to England several special tools which would help reduce the time needed to produce the Handley Page Bomber. None of these airplanes saw combat but over 100 arrived in Oldhame England and were being assembled. The American verision of the Handley Page would be powered by two Liberty 12 engines. Also see what happen 100 years ago during June of 1915.