lwfmodelv

Date scratched into bottom of negative: 7/24/17.

The aircraft featured in this and adjacent photo is the L.W.F. Model V Tractor training aircraft. (Special thanks to the Secret Projects Forum). See: www.flugzeuginfo.net/acdata_php/acdata_lwf_vtractor_en.php www.aerofiles.com/lwf-v.jpg www.theaerodrome.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33640 The aircraft is somewhat unusual for the era and American aircraft construction in that the fuselage is of (then) advanced laminated wood monocoque construction. L.W.F. Company designed and built the aircraft. "L.W.F." came from the last initials of its founders, Edward Lowe, Jr., Charles Willard, and Robert G. Fowler. Both Willard and Fowler were renown aviators of the era. See: earlyaviators.com/efowler1.htm earlyaviators.com/efowler2.htm en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_G._Fowler earlyaviators.com/ewillard.htm

xiphophilos: thank you for pointing out the date of this photo. TVL1970: Thank you for the additional details about this airplane. We will add more information when we update.

This group of 14 photos is related to two Bain photos posted earlier of men testing the L.W.F. Model V Tractor training aircraft, as identified by Flickr user TVL1970 in comments to


and

"The Lowe Willard & Fowler (L.W.F.) Engineering Company, located at College Point, New York City, was organized in 1915 for the manufacture of all types of heavier-than-air machines. L.W.F. produced the first all-American aircraft to be used during World War I. In 1917, the first Liberty motor to fly was installed in the L.W.F. Model G, and several of the L.W.F. aircraft held performance records for speed and endurance. The company also completed Government contracts for producing Martin Bombers, Douglas DT-2s, and Naval Observation Planes, before the company dissolved in 1924."
siris-archives.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?uri=full=3100001~!2...

This group of 14 photos is related to two Bain photos posted earlier of men testing the L.W.F. Model V Tractor training aircraft, as identified by Flickr user TVL1970 in comments to


and

"The Lowe Willard & Fowler (L.W.F.) Engineering Company, located at College Point, New York City, was organized in 1915 for the manufacture of all types of heavier-than-air machines. L.W.F. produced the first all-American aircraft to be used during World War I. In 1917, the first Liberty motor to fly was installed in the L.W.F. Model G, and several of the L.W.F. aircraft held performance records for speed and endurance. The company also completed Government contracts for producing Martin Bombers, Douglas DT-2s, and Naval Observation Planes, before the company dissolved in 1924."
siris-archives.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?uri=full=3100001~!2...

Apparently it was press day at the LWF plant when these photos were taken. Here is motion picture film of this very moment as this aircraft fuselage is rolled out and captured in a British Pathé newsreel that has been posted on YouTube. Note the scene in the photo above and compare it to footage beginning at the 8 second mark on the newsreel linked below: YouTube- British Pathé (Film ID FILM ID:1874.28) - "American Aeroplane Factory & Flight, 1917 - 1918 AKA Americans Bid For Air Mastery (1917-1918)"

Good catch.

Thanks for the pointer to the film. It looks as though we can narrow down the date in the description.