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1933 Milliken M-1 Special
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Description
Growing up in Old Town, Maine in the 1920s, Bill Milliken was interested in all things mechanical and moving. He evolved from building push cars and gliders to cyclecars, motorcycles, and motorized skis. Like many in the 1920s, he avidly followed the aviation challenges of the day, particularly attempts to fly over oceans, mountains, and other geographic obstacles. In 1928, a 17-year-old Milliken hitchhiked to New York to visit the airfields and factories that supported the growing industry.
…Growing up in Old Town, Maine in the 1920s, Bill Milliken was interested in all things mechanical and moving. He evolved from building push cars and gliders to cyclecars, motorcycles, and motorized skis. Like many in the 1920s, he avidly followed the aviation challenges of the day, particularly attempts to fly over oceans, mountains, and other geographic obstacles. In 1928, a 17-year-old Milliken hitchhiked to New York to visit the airfields and factories that supported the growing industry.
He returned home inspired to design and build his own airplane. Over the next five years, and in between his high school and college work, he created the first home-built airplane in Maine using canoe wood, fabric, and a motorcycle engine.
On September 5, 1933, Milliken tested his airplane at Old Orchard Beach. Although the very unstable plane flipped over on just its third flight, Milliken found the entire project satisfying.
Ultimately, the M-1 was just one episode in a long life in aviation and automotive engineering. Among his experiences was working for Boeing Aircraft on the B-17 and B-29 bombers during World War II.
Year:
1933
Creator:
William F. Milliken
Location Created:
Old Town, Maine
Donated By:
William F. Milliken