Pioneer aviator. He began his aviation career in 1910, and these early days were filled with many failures and dangers. Timm attempted to build several planes but none were successful. He barnstormed and held exhibitions of flight around the country prior to the outbreak of World War I. In 1916, he became the senior flight instructor at Rockwell Field in San Diego. It was during this time that he built the successful "Model T-18," trainer bi-plane. After the war, he moved to Venice, California and opened the Pacific Aeroplane and Supply Company. Here he helped design and construct the six passenger bi-plane known as the "Pacific Hawk," and "C-1" racing monoplane. In 1922, while working as chief engineer at the Nebraska Aircraft Company, he met a young Charles Lindbergh. Lindbergh had come to the airfield to learn how to fly. On July 16, 1921, Timm gave Lindbergh his first flight lesson. Five years later Lindbergh would make his historic transatlantic flight. Timm and Lindbergh remained close friends the remainder of their lives. In 1928, Timm returned to California, where he opened another aircraft company at the Grand Central Airport in Glendale. The O.W. Timm Aircraft Company produced the "840 bi-motor" passenger era bi-plane, and "T-S140," high wing twin engine monoplane. During World War II, the company designed and manufactured the "N2T1 Navy Trainer," and "CG4R troop transport aircraft. In 1965, towards the end of his career in aviation, Timm was contacted by the TallMantz Company to design a plane for the movie Flight of the Phoenix. The "Phoenix P-1 had a short and tragic lifespan, famed stunt pilot Paul Mantz was killed in this plane while performing a stunt for the movie.
Pioneer aviator. He began his aviation career in 1910, and these early days were filled with many failures and dangers. Timm attempted to build several planes but none were successful. He barnstormed and held exhibitions of flight around the country prior to the outbreak of World War I. In 1916, he became the senior flight instructor at Rockwell Field in San Diego. It was during this time that he built the successful "Model T-18," trainer bi-plane. After the war, he moved to Venice, California and opened the Pacific Aeroplane and Supply Company. Here he helped design and construct the six passenger bi-plane known as the "Pacific Hawk," and "C-1" racing monoplane. In 1922, while working as chief engineer at the Nebraska Aircraft Company, he met a young Charles Lindbergh. Lindbergh had come to the airfield to learn how to fly. On July 16, 1921, Timm gave Lindbergh his first flight lesson. Five years later Lindbergh would make his historic transatlantic flight. Timm and Lindbergh remained close friends the remainder of their lives. In 1928, Timm returned to California, where he opened another aircraft company at the Grand Central Airport in Glendale. The O.W. Timm Aircraft Company produced the "840 bi-motor" passenger era bi-plane, and "T-S140," high wing twin engine monoplane. During World War II, the company designed and manufactured the "N2T1 Navy Trainer," and "CG4R troop transport aircraft. In 1965, towards the end of his career in aviation, Timm was contacted by the TallMantz Company to design a plane for the movie Flight of the Phoenix. The "Phoenix P-1 had a short and tragic lifespan, famed stunt pilot Paul Mantz was killed in this plane while performing a stunt for the movie.
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