Glenn L. Martin Motors Co.
1931 - 1932
Glenn L. Martin was one of America’s great aviation pioneers. During his remarkable career he worked with a number of famous aircraft engineers, including Orville Wright. Mr. Martin often attended the Indianapolis 500, and his company was a sponsor of the lap prize fund at Indy. In late 1928 Martin teamed up with Louis Chevrolet in the development of Chevrolet’s 333 inverted aero engine, providing important financial and technical support. The goal was to market a compact, reliable, and powerful engine for the growing sport aircraft segment. Additionally the Martin Company had strong ties to the U.S. Military, and Louie’s engine showed promise for use in small training aircraft. Unfortunately the onset of the Great Depression proved to be too much for this business venture. Listed below are documents relating to Louis Chevrolet when he worked for the Glenn L. Martin Motors Company.
1/17/31 - Baltimore, Maryland
Balance Sheet of Assets & Liabilities
for the Chevrolet Aircraft Corporation
(Lockheed-Martin Archives)
1/17/31 - Baltimore, Maryland
Chevrolet Aircraft Corp changes name to Glenn L. Martin Motors Company
(Lockheed-Martin Archives)
1/17/31 - Baltimore, Maryland
Chevrolet Aircraft Corp changes name to Glenn L. Martin Motors Company
(Lockheed-Martin Archives)
1/19/31 - Baltimore, Maryland
Contract where Martin acquires assets of the Chevrolet Aircraft Corp
(Lockheed-Martin Archives)
4/01/31 - Baltimore, Maryland
E.C. Burghduff writes technical paper on
the 333 CID Inverted Engine
(Aviation Engineering)
Circa 1931 - Baltimore, Maryland
Glenn L. Martin Motors Company
Sales Brochure (Louis is not mentioned)
(Aircraft Engine Historical Society)
9/01/31 - Detroit, Michigan
Victor Gauvreau (former Frontenac engineer) machines 333 cylinders
(Aero Digest)
9/28/31 - Baltimore, Maryland
Louis Chevrolet writes Stutz Company
about Mr. Martin's noisy transmission
(Library of Congress)
11/06/31 - Baltimore, Maryland
Louis Chevrolet writes Army Air Corp
about 6-cylinder engine for military use
(War Dept. Files - National Archives)
Circa 1931 - Baltimore, Maryland
500 CID 6-Cylinder Inverted Engine
designed by Louis Chevrolet
(Indianapolis Motor Speedway)
11/25/31 - Wright Field / Dayton, Ohio
Major C.W. Howard writes L. Chevrolet
about reduction gears & octane ratings
(War Dept. Files - National Archives)
12/03/31 - Baltimore, Maryland
Louis Chevrolet writes Major Howard
about reduction gears & octane ratings
(War Dept. Files - National Archives)
12/09/31 -Wright Field / Dayton, Ohio Major Howard writes Louis Chevrolet
about propeller speed & octane ratings
(War Dept. Files - National Archives)
12/16/31 - Baltimore, Maryland
Louis Chevrolet resigns his position with
the Glenn L. Martin Motors Company
(Lockheed-Martin Archives)
1/21/32 - Baltimore, Maryland
Frank Manning writes Army Air Corp
about success of 333 engine
(War Dept. Files - National Archives)
5/24/32 - Wright Field / Dayton, Ohio
Major Howard writes GLM Motors about
viability of 333 engine for use in TC-14
(War Dept. Files - National Archives)
5/27/32 - Baltimore, Maryland
Lissiter Milborn writes Major Howard
about modifying the 333 engine
(War Dept. Files - National Archives)
6/04/32 - Baltimore, Maryland
Lissiter Milborn writes Major Howard
about modifying the 333 engine
(War Dept. Files - National Archives)
Circa 1934 - Boston, Massachusetts
TC-14 Airship in flight
(Boston Public Library)
