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Another fast passenger carrier is the recent Fleetster, from Buffalo. It is similar in construction and looks to the Lockheed Vega, has a speed close to 200 m. p. h. N. Y. R. B. A. has ordered six of these and two Lockheeds, all pontoon equipped, to put on their South American air mail and express route, to meet the competition of fast French Latécoère planes of Compagnie Générale Aeropostale (TIME, Feb. 17). The merger of the Stinson Aircraft Corp. with Cord Corp. (Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg) has resulted in radical price reduction of the new Stinson Junior from $10,500 to $5,775. Robert B. (Bob) Snowden Jr., ever-smiling president of Command-Aire, felt extra pride in the exhibit of his ships. Said he, "Command-Aire is the only production airplane which has never killed somebody . . never seriously hurt anybody."
Great possibilities are expected from the glider sponsors. Clyde V. Cessna, one of the original group which developed the famed Travel Air OXH5 biplane in 1924, and who now produces successful ships of his own design, has appeared with one. Likewise, the Detroit Aircraft Corp. has an elementary trainer, first to be granted Government-approved type certificate.
Perhaps the largest and most comprehensive exhibit of the show was the Curtiss-Wright. It involved 15 planes, ranging from a 21-passenger Condor, powered with two 600 h. p. geared Curtiss Conqueror engines, to a sport Moth, two-place, based on British design, made in the U. S. For the first time, Curtiss displayed its Tanager with slotted wings, bone of contention (TIME, Jan. 6) during the disappointing Guggenheim Safe Aircraft Competition.
Of the fast ships in the show, Walter Beech's Travel Air Mystery S is the fastest. This was the ship that brought consternation to the speed merchants of the Army & Navy Air Corps at Cleveland last September, licked the best they had to offer with a comfortable 194 m. p. h. Black-snouted and waspish looking, it is similar to the Lockheed Sirius but smaller and faster with less power (a Wright Whirlwind J-6, 300 h. p.). It has N. A. C. A. cowling, seats one, has a rated top-speed of 235 m. p. h.