model, airplane
Catalog Number
2015.2.1Artist/Author
Wells, JohnDescription
Model of the Szekely “Flying Dutchman”, dark blue, plastic. Model made by Holland, MI resident John Wells.History
Airplane model built by the donor in 2014. John spent 173 hours making this model. The actual Szekely Model V Flying Dutchman airplanes were single seat sports aircraft built in Holland, MI by the engine manufacturer Szekely.In 1926, Otto Szekely of Moline, IL announced that he would be building a factory in Holland to manufacture dynometers for automotive and aerospace motor testing. The Otto E. Szekely Corp. was located north of Black Lake (Lake Macatawa).
By 1928 the Holland Szekely plant was producing a three-cylinder, air-cooled airplane motor that was 25 pounds lighter than any other airplane motor produced at that time (3-1-1928 Holland City News). By 1931 Szekely engines were being used by six different airplane manufacturers: Curtiss-Wright, Buhl Company, American Eaglet, Liberty and White-Burdette and Breese (6-11-1931 Holland City News).
The factory closed in 1932 due to bankruptcy brought on by the Great Depression.