Sleek profile of Convair's XP5Y-1 turboprop-powered patrol plane is pointed up in this side view taken of the plane during its maiden taxi trials on San Diego Bay. Grossing more than 60 tons, the craft embodies a high length-to-beam ratio and cruiser-type bow for improved air and water handling characteristics. The four Allison T-40s, turning contra-rotating props, develop a total of 22,000 shp. Following further water trials, the XP5Y-1 is scheduled to undergo flight evaluation tests.
A mobile laboratory equipped to test all types of aircraft instruments in half the time previously spent by airlines in this task, has been placed in service at N. Y. International Airport. Idlewild, by Durham Aircraft Service, Inc.
The lab is housed in an 8 x 30 ft. air-conditioned trailer staffed by two DAS technicians. The unit, working with airlines and other aviation mechanics, forms an on-the-spot test center for any aircraft using the airport.
First photos of the four powerful turboprop Allison T-40 engines installed in the new Convair XP5Y-1 turning two sets of three-blade Acroproducts propellers in counter rotation. Each T-40 is actually a pair of turbines, mounted one above the other in a single nacelle and driving two shafts, for a combined power of 5500 equivalent shaft hp. The new Navy search and ASW flying boat (top) has its hull designed on the recently-developed principle of increased ratio of length-to-beam to achieve greater aerodynamic efficiency without hydrodynamic losses. It is credited with a design top speed of 390 mph. and has a 138,000 lb. gross weight, a 146 ft. span. Plane is warming up for water taxi tests and flights first scheduled around Feb. 20, but now expected to be delayed for two weeks or more. Smaller detail photos below show: (left) outboard T-40 in a test run with the colored tips of the six propeller blades forming two concentric discs; and (right) details of the two left nacelles, with interesting flush inlets in addition to wing ducts. Note huge dollies on which the flying boat will be rolled into the ocean.
City of Philadelphia has advertised for bids to build this $6-million terminal building at its International Airport. The structure will rise as high as five stories in the central portion and be 1100 ft. long and 120 ft. deep at its widest point. Complete separation of passengers from operations and cargo handling is an important feature of the design. The two finger-like passenger ramps are 254 ft. long and 25 ft. wide. The terminal building is part of a $20-million construc- tion program which is expected to make Philadelphia International one of the largest and most modern airports in the world by the end of 1951. Engineering and archi- tectural design for the new terminal was completed under the direction of Airways Engineering Corp. of Washington, D. C.
Two DC-6s are shown inside the first unit of United Air Lines' new facilities at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The recently-completed nose hangar, 70 ft. deep and 260 ft. long, is designed for future expansion. The forepart of the new hangar accommodates a stock room, shops and general offices.
A huge mural covering the entire semi- circular wall at the rear of the sales office is part of the decoration scheme for the new Havana quarters of Pan American Airways and its affiliate, Compania Cubana de Aviacion (Cubana). The mural, in its 75-ft. sweep, depicts the evolution of the airplane from bat-like kites to the Wright Brothers' Kitty Hawk biplane and PAA's new Stratocruiser transports.
