This aircraft is a Curtiss Oriole, c/n 140. The Curtiss Aeroplane & Motor Co. built it in 1921. It was equipped with a Hispano-Suiza E-model 180 HP engine, S/N 12090. Its wingspan was 35 feet 10 inches, wing area 339 square feet, and length 23 feet.

It was purchased in 1926, through Winship, Tucson, AZ, by Charles W. Mayse, Airport, Salt Lake City, UT. In 1927, with about 100 hours total time, Mr. Mayse, “remodeled the engine section with steel tubing, put on DeHavilland axle and widened the wheel tread (750x125 wheels-900x200 tires). Put on wind-driven gasoline pump from Martin bomber.”

Charles W. Mayse held transport license #1880. With Mr. Mayse as pilot, the airplane landed at the Davis-Monthan Airfield on 9/23/1927 at 5:20 PM. He was inbound from Cortez, CA, but listed no destination or departure time. The plane was reported as sold on 10/28/1928 to Mr. Kohler, Airport, Nogales, AZ. Inspector D.E. Richardson was unable to locate the airplane or owner. He understood, “Kohler was to take ship to Mexico.” The registration was cancelled 11/16/1928.

UPLOADED: 6/9/05 REVISED: