Armstrong Whitworth Ensign drawing

 In 1934 Imperial Airways approached Armstrong Whitworth for the design of a new metal multiengine airliner. The chosen design seated 40 passengers and utilized 4 engines as that was seen to be desirable to passengers. Range was 1300 miles, suitable for the Empire routes of the day. Development took longer than expected as Imperial Airways updated the requirements several times but the first commercial flight took place in 1938. Further, the focus of the industry on military aircraft in the late 30s caused further delays. Once the airplane was flying it was found that despite the 4 engines it was underpowered and the engines were later upgraded to Wright Cyclones. However the war had started and production ended with only 14 made. The military took over the planes and they served through the war and retired in 1946. All were scrapped.

Anodized aluminum drinkware

 I don't recall any of the drinkware in this ad but does anyone remember these very cool (cold) metal tumblers? The blue anodized ones were beautiful...

Special Products Division

  Strange times in the recreational vehicle market. It seemed every company was playing with snowmobiles, AMF owned Harley Davidson, and in this ad, New Holland of Sperry Rand is making vehicles that defy description. Of these three, I think I'd pick "the Wedge" and park it on my front lawn.

Monday Mystery, Java Steel stick

 

“Steel stick” is what Google Translate calls it. The rest of the text is in the Indonesian-Dutch language. Possibly an adze type thing? 

 

Sidecar Sunday bonus, The Flying Bedstead

Thanks JP!

   But is it a sidecar? Australian Peter Dunscombe was racing a Vincent powered sidecar when he decided he needed to improve it. About that time Owen Greenwood's Mini-based "sidecar" was blowing away the competition in a very un-sidecar-like machine in England and it was that machine that inspired him to build this one.. Once again, a 3 track vehicle rather than 2, based on a Mini front end. When the Vincent started getting long in the tooth, he moved to a Suzuki GT750 Waterbuffalo engine shown here. Lack of space dictated the pipes location. It was far from ideal. The whole story here.

 

Sidecar Sunday

The Gnat, sidecar intended for Vespas. 1955

 

The Aeroplane magazine

 

Moto Major

 The Moto Major was built in 1948. Designed at an aerodynamic research facility, it was a carry over from the 1930s streamline styling trend. There was a single and a twin planned, the single was the only one built. The longitudinally oriented crankshaft facilitated shaft drive.  Unfortunately, it never went into production.  The whole story (lots of detail) here at the Vintagent.

Know your lead acid battery

 Back in the day when batteries were rebuildable. Outside connectors for each cell, this is where this weird cell tester might be used for diagnosis.

 

BSA for 1971

Totally redesigned for 1971. It was not good, maybe the least appealing of any of the BSA twins.