Stainless Steel made Aircraft in WWII, the amazing Budd RB-1 Conestoga/ C-93. No rivets, instead shot welding techniques, developed by Budd for the assembly of the legendary streamlined train Pioneer Zephyr, made from Stainless steel plating. With a possible prolonged war, the US Military anticipated an aluminium shortage for their massive aircraft production. Budd proposed this Cargo plane with 2x P & W R-1830 aero engines and practical tail gate ramp under the up-swept tail. Maiden flight of prototype took place in Oct.1943, but aircraft turned out under powered. Steel plated fuselage with same engines as DC-3? It gave 3000 pounds more empty weight than the C-47/ Dakota, no good sign for any transport aircraft. Can you imagine the plausible jest: Have an aircraft built by a railroad car company, and it will handle likewise. No wonder that orders were cancelled and the surviving C-93s flew in 1947 for a short while with the legendary Flying Tigers Cargo haulers. One was bought by the Tucker Motor Company for its 1948 Tucker Sedan nation- wide Demo tour. Both the C-93, Flying Tigers and Tucker are long gone, what remains is an interesting piece of US transport history from the 1940s. Interested in more stories around vintage aircraft? dakotahunter.org The Dakota Hunter, follow me for more news to come soon. . Photo Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, AZ.
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 12:52:09 +0000
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