Talk:Short Mayo Composite

Take-off procedure

The article referenced by the link "Aero stories" states that the composite took off using only the carrier aircraft's engines; the Time article from 1938 states that all eight engines were used for take-off.

It is interesting in this context to note the caption to one of the images in the "Aero stories" article: "An aeronautical scene out of the ordinary: a flyingboat carrying a floatplane in "piggyback" fashion. Note that on this photo the Mercury's engines appear to be running." This would appear to confirm the Time article's version.

So which version is correct? TraceyR 00:33, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

I have found an article (referenced from the page) which clearly states that all engines were used (and that the Mercury's controls were locked during combined flight). Mystery solved! TraceyR 11:57, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

Designer

I note that we have Robert Mayo as designer in the infobox for both Maia and Mercury, did not Mayo just come up with the concept and not actually design the aircraft. Maia was a modified Empire boat design so I suspect was nothing to do with Mayo. Any comments ? MilborneOne 23:30, 26 January 2007 (UTC)

There's no real guideline for what goes into that field. Designer, mastermind, etc. works. - Emt147 ^Burninate! 05:37, 27 January 2007 (UTC)

I put Robert Mayo's name in there because he was the driver behind the idea. I believe that he was the technical director/manager at Imperial Airways at the time (before joining Shorts?), although not the lead aircraft designer. Since the combination bears his name I have no problem with his name being deleted as designer, should you think it appropriate.TraceyR 08:33, 27 January 2007 (UTC)