The Thirties
A Wilford Gyroplane looks like an Autogiro but differs in that its rotor blades are controllable from the cockpit, and rigid save for a feathering motion. The idea behind this craft was a scheme for feathering the pitch of the blades rotating round the hub instead of the blade flapping system which La Cierva [...]
From Aero Digest, April, 1935:
The Northrop Corporation, Inglewood, California
• Five- or eight-place low-wing monoplane. ATC 553. Wright Cyclone SR1820 F-3 engine, 710 horsepower at 7000 feet, or Wright Cyclone SR1820 F-2 engine, 735 horsepower at 4000 feet or P. & W. of equivalent power. Span 47 feet 9.5 inches. Length overall 33 feet 1.125 inches. [...]
From Aero Digest, April, 1935:
The Northrop Corporation, Inglewood, California
• President: John K. Northrop. Vice-president, General Manager and Sales Manager: W. K. Jay. Export representative: E. P. Howard, 51 Canton Road, Shanghai, China.
One-place open (or closed) low-wing mail monoplane. ATC 549. Wright Cyclone SR1820, F -3 engine, 710 horsepower at 7000 feet. Span 47 feet 9.5 [...]
From Aero Digest, April, 1935:
National Airplane and Motor Company, Billings, Montana
• President and General Manager: A. B. Green. Vice-president: R. J. O’Malley. Chief Engineer: Hugh Thompson.
Two-place open high-wing monoplane. National 35 engine. 35 horsepower. Approval 2-465. Span 36 feet. Length overall 20 feet. Height overall 8 feet. Wing area 175 square feet. [...]
From Aero Digest, April, 1935:
Mercury Aircraft, Incorporated, Hammondsport, N. Y.
• President and General Manager: J. F. Meade. Vice-president and Chief Engineer: H. C. Mummert.
Two-place open high-wing monoplane. ATC 235. LeBlond engine, 90 horsepower. Span 35 feet 8 inches. Length overall 23 feet. Height overall 8 feet 7 inches. Wing area 192 square feet. [...]
From Aero Digest, April, 1935:
The Glenn L. Martin Company, Baltimore, Maryland
• President: Glenn L. Martin. Vice-president and Assistant General Manager: L. C. Milburn. Chief Engineer: B. C. Boulton.
Fifty-place closed high-wing flying boat.
Four Pratt & Whitney twin-row Wasp (geared) engines, 800 horsepower each. Span 130 feet. Length overall 90 feet 10.5 inches. Height overall 24 feet [...]
photo probably taken at East Boston airport, c. 1937
Luscombe Phantom, NC1344? Most likely, this is a Model 4 with a 90 hp Warner, called the “90″ at first and is a smaller Phantom in most ways.
Powered by a 145hp radial Warner Super Scarab engine, the Phantom was the forerunner to the popular Luscombe 8 series.
From [...]
Amelia Earhart flew a Lockheed Vega 5B on her 1928 trans-Atlantic flight.
The most famous Lockheed Vega was the “Winnie Mae,” that Wiley Post flew around the world in 1931.
Aircraft description from Aero Digest, April, 1935:
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, Burbank, California
• Seven-place high-wing monoplane. A TC 384. P. & W. Wasp S3Dl engine, 450 horsepower. Span 41 [...]
From Aero Digest, April, 1935:
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, Burbank, California
• Seven-place low-wing monoplane. ATC 514. P. & W. Wasp S1D1 engine, 550 horsepower. Span 42 feet 9.25 inches. Length overall 28 feet 4 inches. Height overall 9 feet 8 inches. Wing area 294-1 square feet. Power loading 10.54 pounds per horsepower. Wing loading 19.72 pounds per [...]
Amelia Earhart was flying a Lockheed Electra 10E when she disappeared over the Pacific in 1937.
One of the first designs of the Lockheed company, the Electra was one of the first all-metal, passenger planes; its many innovations contributed to the design of the P-38 fighter.
From Aero Digest, April, 1935:
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, Burbank, California
• Twelve-place low-wing [...]
