Davis D1-W

Walter C. Davis (1893-1952) began his career as sales manager for his father’s George W. Davis Motor Car Co. of Richmond, Indiana. In 1917, Walter joined the fledgling U.S. Air Service and became a pilot/instructor who served out the war in charge of one of the Field Schools at the 3^rd Aviation Instruction Center in Issoudun, France. In 1919, he rejoined his father until flagging sales in 1928 forced the closing of the 20-year-old business. Walter turned his attention back to aviation and found the new Vulcan Aircraft Co. and their American Moth of interest. In 1929, he succeeded in acquiring Vulcan and Doyle Aero and then formed the Davis Aircraft Corporation. Engineer Dwight Huntington modified the American Moth and created the first Davis V-3, a sleek parasol aircraft with twin cockpits. The later D1-W powered with a 125hp Warner radial would become a favorite of sport pilots many of whom would race them in the “stock aircraft” category. 

The Great Depression crippled sales for all aircraft manufacturers including Davis. In 1932, the resourceful Walter Davis began making power mowers which remained a successful enterprise through 1974. In 1933, the Davis factory suffered a devastating fire which consumed several finished aircraft ending production. Our Davis D1-W NC 13576 is the fourth from the last built. It was flown by Walter Davis as the “Whistler II” and powered with a 125hp Warner radial engine. In 1934, Art Davis flew this aircraft in the Miami All-American Air Race 450c.i. Event #11. He won the three-lap, 15-mile race flying at a record 133.47mph. That year, Richard Arlen, co-star of “Wings”, the epic 1927 movie, took ownership and flew it for a few years. It was also flown by a host of aviation greats including Charles and Anne Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Howard Hughes, Roscoe Turner, Al Williams, Ernst Udet and Art Chester. A host of Hollywood celebrity pilots added their names to the logbooks too including Richard Dix, Hoot Gibson, Ken Maynard, Robert Montgomery, and Wallace Beery.

This storied aircraft met with two accidents, the last of which resulted in extensive damage. In 1977, the wreckage was rescued by Barbara Kitchens who later convinced Dr. Roy Wicker to partner with her and restore the Davis. Their magnificent restoration debuted in 1993 and was crowned Grand Champion at Florida’s Sun ‘n Fun. It was sold in 2013 and then again in the Spring of 2023 to Aerodrome Chief Pilot: Clay Hammond. This rare, star-studded Davis is a regular performer in our weekend airshows. Of approximately 50 built, only a handful are still flying today. Our 1929 Davis D1-W is currently under renovation.

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