Aircraft Holdings Inc. Curtiss-Wright CW-1 Junior

Additional Information:

The Curtiss-Wright CW-1 Junior, originally named the Curtiss-Robertson CR-1 Skeeter, was a light sports aircraft produced in the United States in the 1930s. The aircraft was designed to sell for the price of a mid-range automobile at that time.
When the aircraft was ready to market in 1931, Curtiss-Robertson’s parent company, Curtiss, had merged into Curtiss-Wright, and the Skeeter was awarded a new designation and name, the CW-1 Junior. Sales were brisk through 1931, with approximately 270 aircraft sold for $1,490 apiece. Unfortunately, the early success of the aircraft was short lived as the CW-1 was the victim of two serious problems.

In early 1928, Albuquerque New Mexico’s first airport was started by two Santa Fe Railway workers Frank Speakman and William Franklin. Newly arrived businessman James Oxnard, impressed with the work and vision of Speakman, bought out Franklin’s interest in the airport, and formed his own company called Aircraft Holdings Inc. That was the beginning of the airport now called Oxnard Field.

This Curtiss CW-1 Junior, NC-638-V, was used by Albuquerque Aircraft Holdings Inc. for pilot training at Oxnard Field. Even though it was more of a powered glider, it was still very underpowered for Albuquerque’s high altitude. Aircraft Holdings purchased the CW-1 on March 31, 1931 and sold it in June of 1932.

The Curtiss –Wright Junior on Oxnard Field
One on display in the Soaring Museum in Moriarty, New Mexico

GALLERY: