Babcock Teal Biplane

Babcock Teal Biplane

Built by: Vearne C. Babcock – circa 1925

Babcock Airplane Company, Akron, Ohio

No photo available

Built in 1925, the Babcock Teal was a two person, open cockpit biplane, powered by a war surplus Curtiss OX-5, 90 horse-power engine. Weighing in at 1,400 pounds empty it was one of the larger aircraft built by Vearne C. Babcock. [1][4]

In 1926, Babcock entered the Teal as No. 22, in the Second Annual Ford Reliability Tour in August of 1926. Piloting the ship for the event was Albert F. Everett, with Babcock flying as passenger. Unfortunately, the Teal developed engine troubles during the second leg of the race forcing it down just outside Chicago, Illinois and delaying its arrival to Maywood Airfield, Detroit by nearly an hour. [1]

While the Teal managed to make it to Milwaukee the following day, sheared engine studs grounded the aircraft and Babcock was forced to withdraw from the race. The Babcock Teal was reported to be a well built aircraft, fault for its poor performance placed on the antiquated OX-5 engine, which was known to have outlived its usefulness following the First World War. [2][3]

No final disposition of the aircraft could be found, though given it’s similarities to the Babcock Series 1, there is a possibility they are one and the same craft. However, this is mere speculation until further evidence comes to light.

References:

1.       “24 Airplanes reach Chicago on Ford Tour” – Article by Charles E. Planck, Free Press Staff Correspondent - Detroit Free Press, 8 Aug 1926, Pg 1

2.       “Air Tourists Find St. Paul Enthusiastic” – Article by Charles E. Planck, Free Press Staff Correspondent – Detroit Free Press, 10 Aug 1926 – Pg 1

3.       “Walter Beach Named Winner of Flying Tour” - Article by Charles E. Planck, Free Press Staff Correspondent – Detroit Free Press, 22 Aug 1926 – Pg 7

4.       “The Ford Air Tours: 1925-1931” – Chapter 2, by Lesley Forden: NOTE: this volume erroneously states the Babcock Teal crashed outside Chicago, however, it does provide a few useful specs on the Teal.