Machines Help Map Makers (Mar, 1938)
Machines Help Map Makers
Topographical maps, many of which are sold to the public for as little as ten cents each, are made on specially designed machines costing $30,000 each. There are only three of the machines, which are known as aerocartographs, in the country and they are operated by the U. S. Geological Survey Bureau in Washington, D. C.
Check out the cover. It’s the Short Mayo Composite. I didn’t realize that MI was allowed to use actual, workable aircraft in their stories. I’m surprised that they didn’t add some ducted props or a hydrogen gas bag to bring it to their usual standards.
At any rate, the Composite was used for about a year to link together bit of the British Empire before more powerful flying boats and WWII killed it.
http://en.wikipedia.org…
The Short Mayo Composite didn’t need gas bags or ramjets to be an odd duck – it was born that way.
As to the aerocartograph, I used a similar one once. They induce incredible eyestrain – we used to shift out every 15-20 minutes.