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12/31/2007. Aero Design & Engineering Company was formed in 1944 and had T.R. "Ted" Smith as General manager. The pictured prototype flew for the first time on April 23, 1948, registered as NX1946, the X was dropped from the registration in 1949. It is pictured with one propeller removed and in this configuration it took off loaded to its maximum weight approved by the CAA for two-engine operation and flew non-stop from Oklahoma City to Washington, DC. After certification as the Aero Design Commander 520 on January 30, 1952, this aircraft became Ted Smith’s personal aircraft and due to its paint scheme was affectively known as the Blue Goose. It is preserved by the City of Oklahoma.