In the mid-1920s, Alexander Film studios needed a better way to distribute their movies. Airplanes were the answer, but they were unable to buy the airplanes they needed. So they built their own aircraft factory near Broadway and Hampden in Englewood, Colorado.
Their first airplane had disappointing performance, but that changed when they promoted an eager teenager named Al Mooney to be their new chief engineer. Mooney designed the very successful Alexander Eaglerock in our museum.
The Alexander Eaglerock soon became one of the best-selling airplanes in the country, and for a few months, more airplanes were made in Colorado than anywhere else in America.
After thriving for four years, Alexander Aircraft stopped making airplanes because of the Great Depression.
And what happened to that talented teenaged airplane designer? Al Mooney enjoyed a long career designing fast, efficient aircraft including the Culver Dart and Cadet, Bellanca Airbus, and a variety of Lockheed airplanes, including work on the first business jet. He also formed Mooney Aircraft, which still manufactures Mooney airplanes in Kerrville, Texas.
This Eaglerock was built in 1929, and originally had a 100 horsepower Curtiss OX-5 engine. Now it has a 300 horsepower Lycoming radial engine. The airplane was restored by Brad Davenport between 1987 and 1993, and it flew regularly for more than 20 years until it came to the museum.
Aircraft specifications:
Wingspan: 36 ft 8 in (11.18 m)
Length: 25 ft 11 in (7.9 m)
Carries: pilot and two passengers
Maximum speed: about 135 mph (217 km/h)
Maximum weight: about 2,500 lbs (1,134 kg)
Engine: Lycoming R-680 E3B, 9 cylinder radial, 300 hp (224 kW)
Air & Space Museum
