Farmingdale, located in west-central Long Island on both sides of the Nassau-Suffolk County border, was an important center of airplane manufacturing from the First World War until almost the end of the Cold War. Aviation pioneers like Lawrence Sperry, Sherman Fairchild, Leroy Grumman, Alexander de Seversky, and Alexander Kartveli directed the manufacture of aircraft, aircraft engines, and key subassemblies as they evolved from the propeller, biplane era to the jet and space age. Farmingdale witnessed the creation of such cutting-edge aircraft as the Sperry Triplane Amphibian and Messenger; the Fairchild FC-2; the Grumman FF-1, JF-1 Duck, and G-22 Gulfhawk; the Seversky P-35; the Republic Aviation P-47, F-84, and F-105; and the Fairchild Republic space shuttle tails and A-10 Warthog. Airplane manufacturing in Farmingdale ended in 1987 with the demise of Fairchild Republic, but this book offers a comprehensive pictorial history of the outstanding achievements of so many talented men and women over seven decades.

Take a flight with the Long Island aviation companies that helped make the industry the integral part of our world that it is today. Significant aircraft manufacturing began on Long Island in the early 20th century and boomed during the war years. Long Islanders helped transform aviation from a dangerous sport to a viable means of transportation, while also producing a large portion of the nation's aerial arsenal in times of war. From the first frail biplanes to the warbirds of World War II and the sleek fighters of the jet age, aviation companies on Long Island helped make aviation the the essential business it is today. During the 20th century, over 70 firms came to build aircraft on Long Island. Some of these firms lasted for decades and became famed builders of historic aircraft, such as Grumman, Republic, Curtiss, Fairchild, and Sikorsky.

Includes contractual data from each aircraft company represented, submitted in answer to a Subcom questionnaire. North American Aviation, Inc. (p. 1387-1559). Glenn L. Martin Co. (p. 1614-1753). Boeing Co. (p. 1880-1932). Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corp. (p. 2002-2056). Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. (p. 2092-2117). McDonnell Aircraft Corp. (p. 2166-2191). Douglas Aircraft Co. (p. 2232-2363). Republic Aviation Corp. (p. 2392-2452). Chance Vought Aircraft, Inc. (p. 2489-2503). Lockheed Aircraft Corp. (p. 2538-2561). Convair div, General Dynamics Corp. (p. 2616-2638). Northrup Aircraft, Inc. (p. 2701-2725).