Colonial Aircraft Corporation under Herbert Lindblad built the parts for Lake Aircraft and David Thurston went on to other enterprises and designs. Some design changes were made by Strayer which included lengthening the nose to enclose the nose gear when retracted, and adding 2 more feet to each wing, which resulted in 50 pounds more useful load. At the end of 1959 he bought the manufacturing rights, renamed the company Lake Aircraft Corporation, and renamed the airplane, the Lake Amphibian. Strayer, a former test pilot for Grumman. The primary salesperson involved during this time was John F. This went into production in 19 and the company built 20 C-2 Skimmers. The company built a total of 23 C-1 Skimmers through 1957 while designing a 4 seat, 180 horsepower version. The production C-1 Skimmer was powered by a Lycoming 150 horsepower engine, could sit 3 people, stalled at 50mph and cruised about 110 mph with a 34 foot wingspan. Sanford was chosen because of the airport and large empty woolen mills making for a ready-made factory at a fraction of the cost of one on Long Island.
The Korean War interrupted the flight testing, but finally a type certificate was issued and production started in 1956 after the company moved to Sanford, Maine. David had formed the Colonial Aircraft Corporation with the intention of eventually producing the aircraft. One of these was Herbert Lindblad, who at the time worked for Republic. At the time, Thurston was employed by Grumman and several aviation specialists were employed to help build the little amphibian. Designed by David Thurston, the prototype C-1 Skimmer was built in the mid 1940s and first flew in July of 1948.