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Aviation History
1931
1931 - 0171.PDF
FLIGHT, FEBRUARY 20, 1931 A FORD FEATURE A Neat Method of Stowing Mails WE have already published a de-tailed description'of the Fordthree-engined air liner (sec FLIGHT, November 14, '1930), and thisweek we are able to supplement this with some particulars of a very neatfeature recently embodied in these machines. This feature concerns the stowing ofmails, or other baggage, which, as may be seen from the accompanying illus-trations, consists of a " disappearing " wing compartment located in the wingon the side of each outboard engine. The floor of this compartment is actu-ally a portion of the under surface of the wing arranged to form a sort ofhinged tray which is raised or lowered by a cranking device. When lowered it is an easy matter toplace the mail bags in place and then raise the tray, which is secured in posi-tion by a simple locking device that ensures all danger of the compartmentcoming loose while the aircraft is in flight. Unloading the mails or bag-gage is equally convenient and quick. This is clearly indicated in our centralillustration. Each compartment has a capacity of600 lb. or 1,200 1b. in all, and apart from the facility of loading or unload-ing, this arrangement has the advan- tage of avoiding any inconvenience tothe passengers in the cabin. The top illustration shows one ofthe three-engined Ford airliners, employed by National Air Trans-port (Inc.) of America, with the ingenious wing mail compart-ments. How the mails are placed »n these compartments is shownin the centre picture, while the lower picture shows an interiorview of the compartment. Night Air Routes in America ••r thVS re£°yted from Washington that the Bill providing -mctinn g ghted air routes of the United States wi"f S10 '000'000 (^000,000) a year. derm of the Edinburgh Town Council isI'wo sit • proP°sal for a municipal airport for Edinburgh, been e\-a ^ !, area between Granton and Cramond havemake thi • and the proximity of the Forth should also Sheffield >«r»? suitable for seaplanes as well as land 'planes. ,ieid s Municipal Airportsite for'Sth!.P0^ed that Coaf Aston nas been chosen as the Sheffield Municipal Aerodrome. Coal Aston was first established as an air station during the war, the Government having constructed roads, hangars and huts on the spot. A good deal of demolition has already taken place, but enough still remains to provide the nucleus for an airport. A greater part of the land already belongs to the municipality. Mercantile Air Service Badges IMPERIAL AIRWAYS announce that in future officers of their Mercantile Air Service will be distinguished by badges analogous to those of the Mercantile Marine. In the case of pilots in command of air liners, two |-in. gold bands will be given on the sleeves of their blue uniforms. 165
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