Wings Reading Assignment #3

Wings Reading Assignment #3

Joseph Bradley-Hutchison

1. What technological innovations in aircraft engine design occurred during the period between the wars and how did it affect the aircraft industry?

The new engines being invented between the two Great World Wars was influential on the airplanes industries of the period, and served to make the airplane a more efficient machine of the sky.  Charles Lawrance was one of the first engine builders to bring the plane to its next stage of modern development with the American Radial-Engine.  By the end of the First World War, the plane engine of the period was the rotary engine, which reached its maximum size and power as the war was coming to a close.  Lawrance was assigned to a project for a new engine for the plane that would make the engine lighter and more efficient.  He paid close attention to the innovations of the radial engines being designed in Europe, and knew that if he could produce them in America, then he could be very successful.  He set out to create an engine that was lighter, smaller, and easy to maintain. 

Lawrance set up the Lawrance Aero-Engine Corporation, and began to produce the R-1 and R-2 American Radial Engines.  The navy bought from Lawrance’s firm, but the navy soon realized that he failed to produce many of these great engines in large quantities.  In 1923, the navy convinced the officials of the Wright Aeronautical to buy Lawrance’s firm, and Lawrance became the vice-president and chief engineer.  Lawrance then continued to work on the radial engine, constantly improving, and constantly working to make it better.  By 1924-25, he finally achieved a grand innovation with the Wright J-5C “Whirlwind” that soon became the foundation for all future radial engine designs in America from this period to beyond the Second Great War.  This 510 pound and 220 horsepower engine served to be the model for airplanes from this period onward, and continuous improvements in weight and horsepower were made after its introduction.  These would be done by the industries within the American aviation field, and such figures, as Henry Ford, would take the next steps in establishing the first metal planes.  As airplane technology continued to improve, so did the industries that built them.  As air travel became more than just a military expedition, more and more began to desire the experience of flying, and so the industries of aviation and industries producing airplane parts continued to flourish (Crouch, 242-250).

 

3. What role did Henry Ford and other businessmen play in the development of the aviation industry?

Henry Ford helped the airplane become a huge sensation the same way he helped make the “horseless carriage” the machine of the day (Crouch, 240).  In April of 1925, Ford set out to establish a regular air service between Chicago and Detroit that demonstrated the potential for commercial air service, introduced the new Stout 2-AT high-wing monoplane, and helped Ford’s Motor Company in expanding their business to airplane technology.  Ford had bought the Stout Metal Aircraft Company in 1923, which were creating some of the leading airplanes of the day, and set up a model factory in Dearborn, Michigan.  This was not just a factory, but was also equipped with mooring mast, radio facility, weather station, a restaurant, a hotel, and good connections to ground transportation.  In other words, Ford built one of the first airports for commercial flying in America that possessed the same benefits of modern day airports.  Ford continued to invest into the future design of airplanes, and invested much of his funds into the creation of better and more efficient engines.  Unfortunately, the Great Depression ended Ford’s campaign to continue his aviation business, and shut down his manufacturing divisions in 1933.  Many continued to drive the business with the emerging airlines of the mid to late 20^th century that brought passengers across the country and abroad, but Ford and other early pioneers left their mark long before the business of flying took off (Crouch, 240-250).

5. Describe the role of the U.S. Postal Service in the development of aviation as a business.

Naturally, as the business of flying became more commercial, so did the deliver of mail.  In 1925, the Post Office advertised the flying of airmail to half a dozen different air routes that was linked together by one national trunk line.  Within two months they received over 2,000 inquiries from airplane builders interested in making this advertisement a reality.  In 1926, the Ford Air Transport became the first civilian contractor to fly mail across the country, which covered two routes linking Cleveland, Detroit, and Chicago.  After the depression Ford retired from the aviation business, but was soon replaced by many more willing participants in flying mail across the nation.  Many of these companies, including Ford’s company when it was in existence, carried passengers along as well.  Thus, making the business of flying mail a strong commercial activity, and promoting the business of flying even farther.  Furthermore, it made these cities and towns on route closer to one another through a speedier form of transportation for themselves, and communication by mail was drastically quickened.  It furthered the possibilities and uses of airplanes, and promoted the advancement of its designs.  Finally showing that there were more benefits to flying other than military purposes, but for keeping contact with people across the country and abroad in an hastened and more efficient manner (Crouch, 249-251).