I have heard rumors that the two prototype aircraft were built in a building at 5032 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma Wa. 98409. I have worked in this building for 36 years. It is currently a transmission repair business. A.B.C. Transmission has been in continuous operation in that building since 1967. If this is correct, I would to get some photographs of the planes under construction, if any exist. I assume that they must have flown out of the old South Tacoma Airport that was located just a short distance from that building.
thomas mott, 01.08.2013 02:44
Originally, during the war years the aircraft was designed to be used in France, Germany and other countries where tons of airstrips were built during the war. This is prior to 1947 when the company was called Wheelair Aircraft.
Renelle Wilson, e-mail, 25.07.2012 22:00
My dad also worked on the design of this plane. And I have several stock certificates, though they aren't worth any money. I plan to frame them and give them to my kids. His name was Jim (James C.) Hill. But the company name on the certificate is Puget Planes I think (I'll have to check)
Thomas J. Mott, e-mail, 16.06.2012 01:40
Re: The wheelair after the war, inspite of the fact the air force refused to purchase the airplane, many of the designed parts were purchased by various buyers. What were the gross sales of these wheelair designed parts. My dad received no payment of any kind for his years of work.
Liz Pennington, e-mail, 13.06.2012 10:55
I have a stock certificate from this company, my Dad bought it when he worked at Boeing.
Scott Boyd, e-mail, 20.02.2012 20:37
I think the Ercoupe predates the Wheelair and had the same attributes. It was only a two seater though.
I never flew one without rudder pedals, I imagine most were converted.
Terrence I. Murphy, e-mail, 20.02.2012 17:07
It's funny, but at first glance, I thought it was called the Puget Pacific Wheelchair. A plane for the handicapped?
I'm working a book about the history of pusher aircraft, and based on all the info I've found,(including this site) here's what I have so far:
In 1947 Donald J. Wheeler built two prototypes of the Puget Pacific Wheelair. They were manufactured by Puget Pacific Planes, Inc. of Tacoma, Washington, as a four-passenger, two control, spin-proof, stall-resistant, personal airplane (the first of its kind). The planes cost about $5,000-$5,500 in 1947 and were advertised as the post-war "plane of tomorrow" featuring an all-metal aircraft with a twin-boom, rudderless twin-tail, and tricycle-landing gear. They were based on Wheeler's prize-winning design in a national magazine. The two prototypes came out a little boxier than the artist’s original sleek proposal and although they generated some interest, unfortunately, tomorrow never came and the company filed for bankruptcy in 1949 before the test & certification program was completed Eventually, the planes were bought by one of the company's backers; Earl Barks of Seattle, disassembled & stored on a relative's farm 40 miles from Seattle.
My Dad was an engineer and worked on the wheelair in 1944-45. Question, what bankruptcy court and case number was used?.....thanks
Douglas Wheeler, e-mail, 10.06.2008 17:55
Addendum: 2 prototypes of the Wheelair were built. The company (PPP, Inc.) ran out of money before the test & certification program was completed. The planes were bought by one of the company's backers, Earl Barks of Seattle; they were disassembled & stored on a relative's farm 40 miles from Seattle. If anyone knows where they are or what happened to them, please notify me @ kkcdwheels@excite.com or (573)636-4027. Thank you.
Douglas Wheeler, e-mail, 29.04.2008 04:09
The Wheelair was designed by my dad, Donald J. Wheeler, in 1947. It was manufactured by Puget Pacific Planes, Inc., Tacoma, Washington, as a four-passenger two control, spin-proof, stall-resistant personal airplane (the first of its kind).
