MAYO COMPOSITE AIRCRAFT
TESTS UNDER WAY IN
BRITAIN
FAST NON-STOP CARRIAGE
OF MAILS
(Received August 26, 8.10 p.m.) RUGBY, August 25. The Mayo Composite aircraft, under construction by Short Bros., Ltd., Rochester; which it is proposed to employ in experimental transAtlantic flights shortly, is undergoing trial nights at Rochester. Successful tests of the lower component, a four-motored flying-boat named Maia, have already been made. The upper component, Mercury, a four-engined float seaplane, will now be tested in individual flights. After further trials of the two components separately Mercury will be attached to the wing of the flyingboat, and they will ascend together as a composite aircraft. When the composite has climbed to a suitable height, the locking mechanism securing the two components will be released, and the seaplane will rise clear of the flying-boat and proceed independently. It is hoped by this method of midair launching, that mail loads will be carried for longer distances nonstop, and at greater speeds than by surface launching craft.
Carrying a thousand pounds of mails, Mercury will have a range of 3500 miles at a cruising speed of 160 to 170 miles an hour.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19370827.2.65
Bibliographic details
Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22182, 27 August 1937, Page 11
Word Count
190MAYO COMPOSITE AIRCRAFT Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22182, 27 August 1937, Page 11
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