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Aviation History
1948
1948 - 0906.PDF
662 FLIGHT V PER Discussing flying characteristics of the Stratocruiser are (left to right) ; Mr. Robert Hage, Boeing Aircraft Company, Sir Miles Thomas, Mr. Wtllwood fienff, vice-president engine soles, Boeing's, and Mr. Vernon Crudge, Mr. Collins and Mr. Peter Ball, all of B.O.A.C. ON April ist this year Sir Miles Thomas succeededSir Harold Howitt as deputy-chairman of theBritish Overseas Airways Corporation. After apreliminary study of B.O.A.C. organization, routes and equipment, the new deputy-chairman left England on An Exclusive Interview After His Recent Visit the enormous hangar at the Fil- ton airfield, Bristol. At the Boeing plant the party flew in one of the three Strato- cruisers at present undergoing flight trials. Only the lower deck was furnished and water ballast tanks for development testing occupied much of the remaining space inside the 67J- ton aircraft. The noise level was remarkably low in the fur- nished compartment, and, in fact, throughout the aircraft any detectable vibration was at a low pitch. Only one aircraft has been completely fitted out; this is for Pan American Airways, and the visitors were impressed with its general standard of furnishing. In the five Stratocruisers ordered for B.O.A.C., English upholstering materials will be used. B.O.A.C. Captains Pentland and May handled the air- craft in the air, making procedure turns and flying with May 13th to see for himself the Boeing Stratocruisers which two engines "out" on the same side at 8,ooo-a,oooft. would next supplement the Corporation's fleet, and to ^ —L1—:-~"--~ -^—* «-- '—J1: 1:*™ —J gain first-hand experience of contemporary competitive airline operations. The first stop was at Montreal, where Sir Miles was joined by Mr. Vernon Crudge, Manager of the Atlantic Division, B.O.A.C., Mr. Peter Ball, administrative assistant manager in the Division, and two senior pilots, Captain Pentland and Captain May. When asked about the impending move from Dorval, the deputy chairman expressed the view that it was creating many urgent prob- lems, mainly dependent upon constructional progress with They were enthusiastic about the handling qualities, andthe ease with which normal conversation could be carried on in the pressurized cockpit. Sir Miles Thomas was in-trigued by the auxiliary footrests provided for the comfort of each pilot. He thought they might reduce wastage ofinstrument glasses! Particular mention was made of the spaciousness and good general layout of the flight deck, onwhich Sir Miles remarked '' there was enough room to dance four couples." Asked about development, and delay in delivery, hesaid that flight trials had been highly successful, and per- Quick-acting clamps are a feature of the jigs used in production of the Convair 240. The clamps are here opened up.
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