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Northrop
Alpha
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The Northrop Alpha represents a notable point of transition in
modern airline design, for it combined features of the past and of the
future in a very utilitarian package. The passengers were enclosed in a
comfortable cabin, while the pilot remained exposed the elements. The
modern aspects of the Alpha—an all-metal structure, semimonocoque
fuselage, and cantilever wing—were partially offset by the use of a
single engine and fixed gear. The Alpha was designed to be a
high-performance plane that could carry mail and passengers out of small
fields. The plane was attractive to airlines because of its
comparatively high top speed (177 mph for later models) and high
reliability. The latter was due in large part to the use of the
dependable air-cooled Pratt and Whitney Wasp engine of 420 horsepower. |
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Northrop
Alpha
Deluxe Series model. 1/24th scale. 22" wingspan x 14" long.
No. AB1ED-DX Only $179.95 |
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