Lawson L-4: Difference between revisions
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==Design and development== |
==Design and development== |
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[[File:Lawson L-3 Midnight Airliner.jpg|left|thumb|Lawson Midnight Airliner]]After [[Alfred Lawson]] completed his 2000-mile [[Lawson L-2]] flight, the [[Lawson Airplane Company-Continental Faience and Tile Company|Lawson Airplane Company]] built the Lawson Midnight Liner for use on the night service between Chicago and New York. The Midnight Liner was larger with three 400-hp Liberty engines – one on each wing and another in the nose. The airliner sported sleeping berths and a shower. It was his objective to produce large number of these aircraft to outfit his airline, but the 1920 recession deprived Lawson of the investment funds to meet payroll and other development expenses. The first and only Lawson Midnight Liner was completed on December 9, 1920. Bad weather, however, delayed its maiden flight. As Lawson’s financial situation worsened, he decided to fly his new airliner from a space near the factory, rather than make a costly ground transport move to Hamilton Field (now [[Mitchel Air Force Base|Gen. Mitchell Field]]). The prepared strip was only about 300 feet long. Lawson finally gave the order to attempt flight on May 8. The aircraft did not clear an elm tree and crashed on takeoff. The pilots were unhurt but the airliner was never repaired.<ref name="ASME Milwaukee - History & Heritage">{{cite web|title=LAWSON "AIR LINER"|url=http://sections.asme.org/milwaukee/history/42-lawsonairliner.html|publisher=ASME Milwaukee Chapter|accessdate=30 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Milwaukee-Made Lawson Air Liner Pioneers Transportation Delux|newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal|date=Dec 26, 1920}}</ref> |
[[File:Lawson L-3 Midnight Airliner.jpg|left|thumb|Lawson Midnight Airliner]]After [[Alfred Lawson]] completed his 2000-mile [[Lawson L-2]] flight, the [[Lawson Airplane Company-Continental Faience and Tile Company|Lawson Airplane Company]] built the Lawson Midnight Liner for use on the night service between Chicago and New York. The Midnight Liner was larger with three 400-hp Liberty engines – one on each wing and another in the nose. The airliner sported sleeping berths and a shower. It was his objective to produce large number of these aircraft to outfit his airline, but the 1920 recession deprived Lawson of the investment funds to meet payroll and other development expenses. The first and only Lawson Midnight Liner was completed on December 9, 1920. Bad weather, however, delayed its maiden flight. As Lawson’s financial situation worsened, he decided to fly his new airliner from a space near the factory, rather than make a costly ground transport move to Hamilton Field (now [[Mitchel Air Force Base|Gen. Mitchell Field]]). The prepared strip was only about 300 feet long. Lawson finally gave the order to attempt flight on May 8. The aircraft did not clear an elm tree and crashed on takeoff. The pilots were unhurt but the airliner was never repaired.<ref name="ASME Milwaukee - History & Heritage">{{cite web|title=LAWSON "AIR LINER" |url=http://sections.asme.org/milwaukee/history/42-lawsonairliner.html |publisher=ASME Milwaukee Chapter |accessdate=30 December 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122194759/http://sections.asme.org/milwaukee/history/42-lawsonairliner.html |archivedate=22 January 2009 |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Milwaukee-Made Lawson Air Liner Pioneers Transportation Delux|newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal|date=Dec 26, 1920}}</ref> |
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<br/>Lawson had a 100-passenger, double-deck version on the drafting board, but the Lawson Midnight Liner was the last. The company folded in 1922, and the assets were auctioned off. The Lawson Air Liners are renowned due to their size (for the time) and the ambition of their flamboyant promoter. |
<br/>Lawson had a 100-passenger, double-deck version on the drafting board, but the Lawson Midnight Liner was the last. The company folded in 1922, and the assets were auctioned off. The Lawson Air Liners are renowned due to their size (for the time) and the ambition of their flamboyant promoter. |
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Revision as of 16:59, 12 May 2017
| L-4 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Three-engined biplane airliner |
| Manufacturer | Lawson Airplane Company |
| First flight | 1924 |
| Primary user | Lawson Airplane Company |
| Number built | 1 |
The Lawson L-4 was the last in a series of Lawson biplane airliners designed and built by the Alfred Lawson under the livery of the Lawson Airplane Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The largest of the series, it designed for long-distance flights. It was completed in 1920 but never flew, crashing on its initial takeoff.
Design and development
After Alfred Lawson completed his 2000-mile Lawson L-2 flight, the Lawson Airplane Company built the Lawson Midnight Liner for use on the night service between Chicago and New York. The Midnight Liner was larger with three 400-hp Liberty engines – one on each wing and another in the nose. The airliner sported sleeping berths and a shower. It was his objective to produce large number of these aircraft to outfit his airline, but the 1920 recession deprived Lawson of the investment funds to meet payroll and other development expenses. The first and only Lawson Midnight Liner was completed on December 9, 1920. Bad weather, however, delayed its maiden flight. As Lawson’s financial situation worsened, he decided to fly his new airliner from a space near the factory, rather than make a costly ground transport move to Hamilton Field (now Gen. Mitchell Field). The prepared strip was only about 300 feet long. Lawson finally gave the order to attempt flight on May 8. The aircraft did not clear an elm tree and crashed on takeoff. The pilots were unhurt but the airliner was never repaired.[1][2]
Lawson had a 100-passenger, double-deck version on the drafting board, but the Lawson Midnight Liner was the last. The company folded in 1922, and the assets were auctioned off. The Lawson Air Liners are renowned due to their size (for the time) and the ambition of their flamboyant promoter.
Operators
Specifications (L-4)
General characteristics Performance
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
- ^ "LAWSON "AIR LINER"". ASME Milwaukee Chapter. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Milwaukee-Made Lawson Air Liner Pioneers Transportation Delux". The Milwaukee Journal. Dec 26, 1920.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985). Orbis Publishing.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - Alfred, Lawson (1928). 200 Mile Trip in First Airliner.
- Lawson – Aircraft Industry Builder. Humanity publishing company. 1930.
External links
Media related to Lawson L-4 at Wikimedia Commons