Vance Breese

Vance Breese
Vance Breese, c. 1940
Born	April 20, 1904 Keystone, Washington
Died	June 26, 1973 (age 69) Los Angeles, California
Occupation	Engineer, Aviator
Children	Vance Breese

Vance Breese (1904–1973) was an American aviation engineer and test pilot.

Vance Breese was born in Keystone, Washington, on April 20, 1904. His education, in his own words was: "various engineering extension courses." More than an engineer, he devoted his life to aviation.

In 1926, Breese founded the (Vance) Breese Aircraft Company at Mills Field, San Francisco and was its President, from 1927 to 1934.

Competing in the 1926 National Air Tour, flying a Ryan M-1 monoplane with a Wright J-4 engine, he finished in eighth place, although he had actually been in first place when he reached Cleveland, Ohio, one of 14 cities in the competition. During the 15-day event which was the second annual commercial airplane reliability tour, Breese carried J. B. Alexander and A. L. Hufford as passengers.

The companies that Breese operated, appeared under various names, in 1927 as the Breese-(Arthur F. "Pop") Wilde Aircraft Construction Co/Breese Flying School. In 1928, after incorporation, the company moved to Watts Airport, Beaverton Oregon. In 1931 the Breese Aircraft Corporation relocated to Portland.

In 1932, as the Breese & (Charles) Dallas Inc relocated to Detroit. The Breese Aircraft Company became part of the Detroit Aircraft Company and in early 1932, together with Gerard "Jerry" Vultee, he founded the Airplane Development Corporation. In the same year, Breese became the Vice President of Air Express Corp, a short-lived operation that was established to operate a daily 17- to 18-hr service between New York and Los Angeles flying two Lockheed Vegas and three Lockheed Orions, exclusively for express mail with the first flight on December 12, 1932. Other cargos included Oranges from California, and Lobsters from New York.

In 1934, at the head of the Vance Breese Company, Breese moved back to California, setting up in Mines Field, Los Angeles.

Breese aircraft were produced in small numbers, with seven Breese 5 monoplanes sold, including the Pabco Pacific Flyer that participated in the disastrous 1927 Dole Air Race from Oakland to Hawaii. On April 16, 1928, another Breese 5, piloted by Breese, had a total engine failure when the motor fell off its mounts over San Francisco. "By having his passengers move forward in the cabin to shift the c/g, Breese was able to maintain control and land safely on an open hillside." A single example of the 1928 Breese R-6-C (experimental dive bomber), 1931 Breese Junior, 1933 Breese R-6-3 and the Breese-Dallas X (used for film work and owned by Paul Mantz).