Does anyone know what plane this is?

[George de Tuncq]

I recently received this picture from a cousin who lives in Erie now. He found it in his father’s things that he recently discovered.



My favorite uncle when I was growing up was Harold de Tuncq, the man on the left in this picture. He trained in a Jenny and his pilot’s license was signed by Orville Wright before the US government was in the aviation business. I lived with him for a few summers and he would take me out to the airport and talk about planes although in those years he did not own one. Both his sons and a grandson became pilots. As far as I can find out one son is still doing Ag flying and is probably the oldest one still doing that.


The picture was taken the year that I was born, 1927. And yes, I am still pushing my 150 around the skies here in California.



Beyond my interest in Harold I noticed the airplane he is gripping. It is nothing I have ever seen to my recall. Do any of you recognize it?



Thanks, George

 

[Moses03]

Firstly, welcome to SOH George.

The story of your Uncle is interesting. His license signed by Orville is a real treasure!

I have some ideas on the largish plane (twin?). Will see what I can find.

Hopefully some of the regulars here can help out as well.

Kevin

 

[Moses03]

George,

I think I have tracked down your mystery plane. I believe this is the Timm Skylark which started out as the Pacific Hawk in 1920.

Thankfully the cowling is very distinctive in your photo. The tandem right mains, square window on the fuselage and the cockpit location which seemed to be pushed back a distance from the nose were all good clues.

My 2 cents anyways-
Kevin

 

[lefty]

Hi George !

Very interesting story, and an unusual machine - I was not getting anywhere, but Kevin can always be relied upon and has done a brilliant recognition job. Note how low-slung it is - although your uncle was a tall man, with most twins of that size you would never be able to touch the spinner.

That poor pilot surely had the worst view ever - landing must have been a bit scary......

 

[George de Tuncq]

A huge "Thank You" Kevin and Lefty!

When this picture came along I had only one person to turn to, the infallible Leyland, my source of all information about this era and the airplanes in it. Being a wise guru he sent me on to this forum of SOH when his knowledge did not include this. (As a former teacher I highly approve.) I had never used this forum before, sorry to say. I am very thankful to meet you and by extension the others I have not yet had an opportunity to contact.

When I consider how difficult it must have been to land this plane I am very happy to have a rugged, reliable and forgiving airplane for myself.

On the other hand, having a cabin plane with a sort of "rumble seat" for friends is an attraction.

I presume that Lefty has the POH for that pig. Could it be flown in Flight Simulator?

And Kevin, I like your avatar.

Again thanks, George

George,

I think I have tracked down your mystery plane. I believe this is the Timm Skylark which started out as the Pacific Hawk in 1920.

Thankfully the cowling is very distinctive in your photo. The tandem right mains, square window on the fuselage and the cockpit location which seemed to be pushed back a distance from the nose were all good clues.

My 2 cents anyways-
Kevin

 

[Moses03]

You are welcome George. Got lucky and we were able to figure it out.

Keep up your airspeed-
Kevin