Standard J-1

In 1917, with the sudden need for aircraft to train American military pilots, the Curtiss Aeroplane Company and five other companies churned out new Curtiss JN-1 “Jenny” trainers. Even this did not solve the shortage of military training aircraft. The Standard Aircraft Corporation in New Jersey tried to help with its Model J training plane. Although the company had only been formed in 1916, the chief designer, Charles Healy Day, had been building aircraft since 1909.

The government agreed to buy 1600 J-1s from Standard, but soon regretted the decision. The new design was plagued by a series of problems, primarily that its Hall-Scott A-7 engine was prone to catch on fire in flight. When Curtiss production caught up to demand, the government cancelled the J-1 program.

After the war, numerous companies bought surplus J-1s from the government and modified them for private use. The major innovation was replacing the 4-cylinder 90-100hp Hall-Scott with the 8-cylinder 150-220hp Hispano-Suiza. Although the new engines added 200 pounds to the aircraft, the increased power improved the J-1’s top speed, rate of climb, and altitude ceiling.

Like the Curtiss Jenny, the Standard J-1 had many different uses in the 1920s. The first US Post Office airmail planes were modified J-1s. Barnstormers found the larger wings and lower stall speed an excellent stage for performing wingwalking and other stunts across the country. The large front cockpit on the J-1 meant barnstormers could also fit two passengers into the plane for paid flights, while the Jenny could only carry one.

This Standard J-1 represents one flown by Harry M. Jones of Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Jones operated an airport and flying service from 1919-1933 using a variety of aircraft, including a J-1 and a Jenny.