Page 27 - July 2022

The Start of the Flying Office
Back to 1929 and the Travel Air production line ... of all the monoplanes built (and more than 150 examples rolled out of the factory from 1928-1931), constructor number 6B-2012 was unique as the “flying office” of washing machine magnate Harry L. Ogg. Hailing from Newton, Iowa, Ogg was president of the Automatic Washer Company that later evolved into the Maytag Corporation.
Bitten by the flying bug, Mr. Ogg was quick to realize the advantages of the airplane in promoting his business, and during the summer of 1929 he contracted with Travel Air for a custom-built, specially-modified S6000B cabin monoplane (the “S” stood for seaplane with provision for installing floats). The ship, powered by a 300-hp Wright J6-9 radial engine, was delivered at the factory to Ogg’s personal pilot, Wilford Gerbracht.
The airplane sported a bright orange exterior paint design that was unique among all the monoplanes built by Travel Air. Named “Smiling Thru” by Ogg, the ship was intended to be both an aerial advertisement and a business tool for the Automatic Washer Company. In addition to a cabin luxuriously appointed to conduct corporate operations during flight, “Smiling Thru” could carry up to four washing machines that could be demonstrated on-site to prospective customers using an on-board auxiliary power unit. To Harry Ogg, the airplane was an airborne office and he spared no expense to equip it for that mission. Travel Air installed an ediphone for dictation, a typewriter, desk and an interphone system that allowed Ogg to talk with Gerbracht during flight. As a final touch to his office in the clouds, Harry hired Katherine McBride as his airborne secretary.
As originally certified by the Department of Commerce, “Smiling Thru” was licensed to carry a pilot, four passengers and 135 pounds of office equipment. During the licensing process, however, the Department required Ogg to sign an affidavit swearing that he would comply with those limitations. In its original configuration, the S6000B had an empty weight of 3,030 pounds and maximum gross weight of 4,620 pounds. To maintain weight and balance, the airplane’s license mandated that if Ogg flew the ship with the office equipment removed (to allow carriage of washing machines), at least 45 gallons of fuel had to be carried. “Smiling Thru” was fitted with wings of increased span that accommodated an additional 80 gallons of fuel. The increased span of four feet per wing also helped carry the extra weight of office equipment.
Apparently, Harry Ogg knew how to drum up business in an unusual way. In addition to the plug-in power unit, Ogg had Travel Air install a siren that could be operated from within the airplane. Harry would have his pilot fly low over a town, operate the siren and land at the local “airport” – usually a relatively smooth pasture that served as an aerodrome. When residents flocked to the site to see what all the noise was about, Ogg would roll
JULY 2022
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 25