NIELS SORENSEN BANGS 1885-1971

Hendon, England, 1915 Contributed by Judy O'Donovan

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES Collection of Judy O'Donovan, 5-21-11 Niels Sorensen Bangs was born March 10, 1885 in Tilst, Denmark. He came to the United States in 1903 and lived in Manhattan, New York until moving to Staten Island in 1929. Mr. Bangs owned and operated Bangs Mechanical Works in Brooklyn for over 40 years during which time he was an expert in tool and machine design. Mr. Bangs became an American citizen on July 1, 1913. Mr. Bangs began his activities in aviation at the plant of the Queen Aeroplane Company, Fort George Park, New York in October 1910. Mr. Bangs worked there until 1913 at which time Queen sold their aeroplane to Guatemala. Mr. Bangs signed a one-year contract as mechanic with the Academy of Aviation in Guatemala and supervised the assembling of the craft in Guatemala. When Mr. Bangs’ contract expired at the end of October 1914, he returned to New York prior to sailing to Denmark to visit his family. While in Europe, Mr. Bangs joined the school of the Hall Aviation Co., Hendon, England in July 1915. His first solo flight was made October 29, 1915 and he qualified “In excellent style” for his British FAI certificate on that date. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Bangs returned to the United States. Niels S. Bangs retired in 1970 and died April 6, 1971 at the age of 86. He is buried in Staten Island, NY.

What? New Members!      Neils Bangs, doing business as an expert in tool and machine design work, was born March 10, 1885 at Tilat, Denmark. He must have come to America at some subsequent date for he begins his activities in aviation at the plant of the Queen Aeroplane Co., Fort George Park, New York City, in October, 1910. He continues in aviation through 1925 in various capacities in this and other countries. (He becomes an American citizen, after all, July 1, 1913.)      He joins the school of the Hall Aviation Co., in Hendon, England, in July 1915, and qualifies "In excellent style" for this British FAI certificate October 29, 1915. Remember the Caudron? That's what he flies. from CHIRP - APRIL, 1947 - PESCO, CLEVELAND, OHIO - NUMBER 35 courtesy of Steve Remington - CollectAir

 

 

QUEEN AEROPLANE COMPANY BROCHURE      This 18 page brochure was published by the Queen Aeroplane Company in about 1911. You can read the entire fascinating story by clicking on the title. Contributed by Judy O'Donavan, 5-17-11

 

About 1960 UNITED PRESS PHOTO

Niels Bangs, a native of Tilst, Denmark, died April 6, 1971 at the age of 86. His first solo was made October 29, 1915. Personal Communication from Judy O'Donovan

 

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