Martin PBM-5 Mariner

George 1 was a Martin PBM-5 Mariner seaplane designed and built by the Glenn L. Martin Company. The first flight of a PBM (Patrol Bomber Mariner) was on February 18, 1939, and they went into service in September 1940. The U.S. Navy used the PBM as a patrol bomber in the Pacific during World War II.

Jim "Robbie" Robbins — a survivor of the crash of George 1 who is still alive in 2009 — mentioned in his compelling account of the crash that "I continued flying in PBM's until 1950 — my faith in them and their pilots had not been shaken in the least by the crash...."

The Glenn L. Martin Company

In 1961, the Glenn L. Martin Company, manufacturer of the PBM-5 Mariner, merged with the American-Marietta Corporation to form Martin Marietta.

In 1995 Martin Marietta merged with the Lockheed Corporation to form Lockheed Martin, which includes a Lockheed Martin Aeronautics division.

Pratt & Whitney

Pratt & Whitney made the twin supercharged radial 2800 engines for the George 1.

Wikipedia: "The R-2800 is considered one of the premier radial piston engines ever designed. It became legendary when used in several aircraft during World War II, notably the F4U Corsair, P-47 Thunderbolt, and the Grumman F6F Hellcat.

"During the war years, Pratt & Whitney were always coming up with new ideas to upgrade this already powerful workhorse, most notably water injection to give emergency power in combat."

The Curtiss-Wright Corporation

The Curtiss-Wright Corporation made the 7-foot quad propellers for the George 1.

In 1909 the first important international aviation competitive event was held in Rheims, France. Glenn Curtiss, the winner, was competing with three planes entered by Orville and Wilbur Wright.

During World War I the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company of Buffalo and Hammondsport, New York, became the world's largest aircraft manufacturer. 1n 1916 Curtiss became a publicly traded company with Glenn Curtiss as president. In 1919 Wright Aeronautical was incorporated with the approval but not the involvement of the Wright brothers, who were pursuing other interests.

In July 1929 a dozen Wright- and Curtis-affiliated companies merged to form the Curtiss-Wright Corporation. During World War II Curtis-Wright was asked to limit its production to engines and propellers.