30 Mar 2009
This beauty hangs in the Public Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Driggs Skylark Biplane, Public Museum, Grand Rapids, MI
The Driggs Aircraft Company of Lansing, Michigan, built only twenty-one Skylark biplanes between 1929 and 1931. Most of them were used in Western Michigan and Northern Indiana for training pilots, stunts in airshows, or carrying passengers on short business and pleasure trips. The Skylark was the favored aircraft of Northern Air Service, Central Air Service, and the Kent and Impala Flying Clubs, all based at the old Kent County Airport.
Even though its economic success was cut short by the Great Depression, the Skylark represented a leap forward in light aircraft technology. The lightweight canvas over frame design (less than 1,000 pounds with the engine) and more powerful engines were stable in the air, and allowed them to become airborne with shorter takeoff distances.
This is the only surviving production Skylark. It had a 96 h.p. engine that gave a top speed of 100 mph and a cruising range of 300 miles.
Murdoc took this photo this past weekend. A couple of more views below:
Driggs Skylark Biplane
Driggs Skylark Biplane
March 31st, 2009 at 6:28 am
I always enjoyed periodic tours of the GR Museum. Kinda reminded me of how long it’s been since I was there last. Guess I should fix that when I get home next. Sigh!
Have you been to the Chaffee Planetarium lately? I always liked that too………….have they updated themselves (hopefully) any since the mid-late 80s when I was there last?
March 31st, 2009 at 9:12 am
Yeah, we actually hit a dinosaur-related presentation in the planetarium. There’s a special dinosaur exhibit going on right now (sadly, geared only for younger kids) and the planetarium show was part of that. Little in the way of stars/planets/etc, but still sorta cool.
Our family has had a membership for the past few years and my wife takes the kids quite often. The membership runs out soon (today, maybe) and we won’t be able to renew it right away, but it’s a good time.