Buhl Aircraft Collection

1931 Buhl LA-1 Bull Pup

Donation: Terry Brandt

Engine: Szekley SR-3, 45 HP

The long-established Buhl Stamping Company of Detroit, Michigan expanded into aviation in 1925. After the stock market crash of 1929 sales of Buhl's well-regarded Airsedan abruptly dried up and they designed this small sport airplane to keep the company afloat through hard times. Sales of the single-seat, shoulder-winged Bull Pup, introduced in 1930, was not enough to keep Buhl Aircraft solvent and it folded in 1933. The Bull Pup was sold with the options of shorter wings for competition, longer wings for high altitude flying and floats. Ours has a rudimentary airspeed indicator atop the right wing.

Additional Specifications:

Cruise: 80 MPH

Top Speed: 95 MPH

Empty Weight: 550 lbs

Gross Weight: 842 lbs

Wing Span: 30'

Length: 19'

Height: 6'6"

Service Ceiling: 14,000'

Climb in 1 Minute: 800' at sea level

Approximate Number Built: 100

(Data pulled from Joseph Juptner's U.S. Civil Aircraft series.)