Experimental piggy-back long-range seaplane/flying boat combination, produced by the Irish-based British Short Brothers aviation company, to provide a reliable long-range air transport service to North America and, potentially, to other distant places in the British Empire and the Commonwealth.
I'm guessing that idea didn't work out well?!
ReplyDeleteIt worked fine. Mercury made it to Montreal carrying "same day" airmail on it's first "working" flight, which was the first non-stop commercial flight across the Atlantic. Subsequently it flew from England to Egypt and South Africa. The problem was that Maia and it's highly skilled crew were still in England so the return trip consisted of many legs.
DeleteBetter engines with greater power and efficiency allowed larger aircraft with greater range to be built which made the concept obsolete quickly.
Al_in_Ottawa
I'll bet that was a one off.
ReplyDeleteBelfast based, therefore Northern Irish, if you please.
ReplyDelete