Airstrip in a box: 1938

Posted by Cory Doctorow, April 24, 2008 4:57 AM | permalink

In December 1938, Popular Science featured this fantastic, gigantic 12-ton "landing strip in a box" for converting cow-pastures to airstrips.

ROLLING swiftly down highways on ten oversize balloon tires, a revolutionary airport-in-miniature for use by passenger air lines and military air forces now provides quick and complete assistance to stranded airplanes. This curious “twelve-ton tool box” is the invention of Kibbey W. Couse, of East Orange, N. J. It is capable of turning any level cow pasture into an airport complete with machine shop, repair parts, floodlights, and radio.

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Discussion

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#1 posted by ThinkPositive , April 24, 2008 6:05 AM

Much less harmful to the environment that the airports we have today! In the UK, the extension of Standstead airport completely cancelled out the benefits of the nation converting to eco light bulbs.

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#2 posted by Skep , April 25, 2008 1:55 AM

Not actually an "air strip" in a box. It is an "airport" in a box. That is, it is a machine shop with portable lights and a radio. It has absolutely no equipment for making or improving a landing strip.