a.k.a. Starry Puzzler, Tit-Bits Teaser No. 2, Ching Foo,
South Pole Expedition, Straight Arrow Puzzle
Patented by J. M Schneider 1928.
(cardboard box and 14 wood pieces, 4 by 4.75 by 1/2 inches,
box cover at the bottom says "PATENT NO 1663568. MARCH 27, 1928";
inside of the box cover has the solution shown above)

Hordern's book presents a solution of 55 rectilinear moves (59 straight-line moves); here are each of the positions after the plane moves, and two others of the first 25 (labels have been added to match Hordern's):


Hordern's book also presents a solution of 129 rectilinear moves (133 straight-line moves) for the harder problem of ending in a position which is the same as the start upside down. The first 28 moves are the same (shown in more detail in the first row above); here are each of the positions after the plane moves, and three others:

The Starry Puzzler, John M. Schneider Detroit Michigan, 1926.
(cardboard box and 14 wood pieces, 4 by 4.75 by 1/2 inches)

This 1926 version says it is manufactured by the inventor of the 1928 patent on this puzzle (filed March 1927). Written inside of the box top is: "This puzzle is easy to do if you know how, and I am the guy that knows how. $50 reward for any one that puts it together or a new dress."

Tit-Bits Teaser No. 2, George Newnes, London, Made in the U.S.A., circa 1928.
(cardboard box and 9 wood pieces, 4 by 4.75 by 1/2 inches; date is not shown, but is listed in Hordern's book as 1928)

Ching-Foo, Southwestern Distributing Co., Hutchinson, Kansas, 1927.
(cardboard box and 14 wood pieces, 4 by 4.75 by 1/2 inches;
the problem description is a symmetric version of the Flying Puzzle;
the white box has stamped on the back "The Rexall Store ST. MARYS, KANS.")

Ching-Foo, Premier Novelty Co., Denver, Colorado, undated.
(cardboard box and 14 wood pieces, 4 by 4.75 by 1/2 inches;
slightly different cover art than the ones on the previous page)

The version of the Flying Puzzle shown first on the left below has an undated patent reference on the box top (shown on the right below) and the solution is on a piece of paper rather than on the inside of the box top (shown below); the second version shown on the left below has no copyright information at all (and no solution on the inside of the box top).

Bona Fide Broom Co. Pacomia CA, not dated.
(cardboard box and 14 wood pieces, 4 by 4.75 by 1/2 inches,
inside of the box top advertises Dad's and Ma's puzzles)

Standard Trailer Co. Cambridge Springs PA, not dated.
(cardboard box and 14 wood pieces, 4 by 4.75 by 1/2 inches; the inside of the box top invites you to send ten cents for a solution)



Franco-American Novelty Co., not dated.
(cardboard box and 14 wood pieces, 4 by 4.75 by 1/2 inches;
nothing is written on the inside of the box top)

Silver Label Beer, not dated.
(cardboard box and 14 wood pieces, 4 by 4.75 by 1/2 inches;
nothing is written on the inside of the box top)


Further Reading
Schneider Patent, from: www.uspto.gov - patent no. 1,663,568
Murphey Design Patent, from: www.uspto.gov - patent no. Des372,745