Consolidated Commodore

Commodore
Consolidated Commodore flying boat
Role commercial transport flying-boat
National origin United States
Manufacturer Consolidated Aircraft
First flight 28 September 1928
Introduction 1930
Primary user Pan American Airways
Number built 14
Variants Consolidated P2Y

The Consolidated Commodore was an American flying boat built by Consolidated Aircraft and used for passenger travel in the 1930s, mostly in the Caribbean, operated by companies like Pan American Airways.

History

A pioneer of the long haul passenger aircraft industry, the Commodore "Clipper" grew out of a Navy design competition in the 1920s to create an aircraft capable of nonstop flights between the mainland of the United States and Panama, Alaska, and the Hawaiian Islands. In response to these requirements, Consolidated produced the prototype XPY-1 Admiral, designed by Isaac M. Laddon,[1] in January 1929. Consolidated lost out on the contract to produce the airplanes for the navy to the Glenn L. Martin Company. Martin produced one prototype XP2M and nine production P3Ms. The aircraft represented a marked change from earlier patrol boat designs such as the Curtiss NC.

In response to losing the Navy contract, Consolidated offered a passenger-carrying version of the XPY-1, which became known as the Commodore. A parasol wing monoplane with all-metal hull, it could accommodate 32 passengers and a crew of three. The full complement of passengers, located in three cabins, could be carried only on relatively short route segments. For a 1000-mile flight, the boat probably could accommodate no more than 14 people including the crew. Wing and tail construction consisted of a metal frame structure covered with fabric, except for metal-covered leading edges. The Commodore had significant changes from the XPY-1. These included more powerful engines, fuselage shape and structural improvements.[2]

With a first flight in 1929, a total of 14 Commodore boats were built. Starting February 18, 1930 Commodores were flown by the New York, Rio, Buenos Aires Line from the United States to South America where routes extended as far south as Buenos Aires, a distance of 9000 miles from Miami.[3] One testimony to the Commodore in Pan Am service was made by a Pan Am pilot, Marius Lodeesen who wrote " . . . the good old Consolidated Commodore was the most reliable, trusty air craft of the Pan American fleet during the early 1930s. . . . She was hoisted aloft by two engines. They must have been Pratt and Whitneys because they never gave any trouble. . . Waterlooping the Commodore was impossible. Making a bad landing in her was hard work. She was the loveliest boat I ever flew."[4] As the 1930s progressed the Commodores were gradually superseded by more efficient aircraft such as the Sikorsky S-42, Martin 130, and Boeing 314. A number of them went on to serve with other operators. The Commodore may be considered a first step in the United States along a road that was to lead to the highly efficient monoplane-type patrol and transport flying boats later in the 1930s. The XPY-1 and its civil counterpart, the Commodore, may be considered progenitors in a series of flying boat developments that led to the famous Consolidated PBY Catalina of World War II fame.

Survivors

The only known Model 16 Commodore remaining has been located in a northern Canadian lake. There is currently an ongoing project to raise and restore this airframe for display at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.[5]


Variants

Model 16
Up to 18 passengers and three crew.[6]
Model 16-1
Up to 22 passengers and three crew.[6]
Model 16-2
Up to 30 passengers and three crew.[6]

Operators

 Argentina

 Bahamas

 Brazil
 Republic of China
 United States

Accidents and incidents

Specifications (Commodore 16-1)

Data from [23][24]

General characteristics

Performance

See also


Related lists

References

  1. ↑ http://www.vectorsite.net/avmars.html
  2. ↑ O'Neill "A Dream of Eagles" page 108, 136, 206-209, 286
  3. ↑ Gunston, Bill, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Propeller Airliners, 1980, Windward, London, ISBN 0711200629, page 67
  4. ↑ Lodeesen, Marius (1984) Captain Lodi Speaking
  5. ↑
  6. 1 2 3 Martin Best (ed.). "The Consolidated Model 16 Commodore". Air-Britain Archive. Air-Britain. 2008 (2): 84–88. ISSN 0262-4923.
  7. ↑ url=http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/2011/06/r-acwz-consolidated-16-commodore-cn-1.html
  8. ↑ url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19401214-0
  9. ↑ url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/types/Consolidated-16-Commodore/index
  10. ↑ cite journal|magazine=Popular Aviation|date=September 1930
  11. ↑ url=http://panairbr.blogspot.com/2012/08/consolidated-commodore-16-pp-pao.html
  12. ↑ url= http://www.logbookmag.com/databases/articles.asp?ID=91&CatID=47
  13. ↑ url= http://www.airhistory.org.uk/gy/reg_PP-.htm}
  14. ↑ url= http://www.cnac.org/aircraft16.htm
  15. ↑ url=http://www.ruudleeuw.com/qa.html
  16. ↑ http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19350416-0
  17. ↑ http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19401214-0
  18. ↑ http://www.baaa-acro.com/1941/archives/crash-of-a-consolidated-16-2-commodore-in-belem-8-killed/
  19. ↑ http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19420618-0
  20. ↑ http://www.ruudleeuw.com/qa.htm
  21. ↑ http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19430924-0
  22. ↑ http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19481224-0
  23. ↑ Grey, C. G.; Bridgman, Leonard, eds. (1930). Jane's All the World's Aircraft. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co.
  24. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration, Type Certificate Data Sheet ATC 258, retrieved December 3, 2013
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