Consolidated Model 31 (XP4Y-1)
A recent visit to the National Archives II allowed me some time to look through photographs in Record Group 72 which pertains to the Bureau of Aeronautics. In the final box of the series while looking for other information there was a folder marked Consolidated C-31. Looking inside I found a series of photographs of a large flying boat design that I had not seen before. Model 31 in-flight carrying the civil registration of NX21731 The aircraft was the first of the Consolidated product line to use the high mounted, high aspect ratio (long, narrow) cantilever wing (Davis Wing). The C-31 would first fly two months after the contract was signed for the most famous aircraft using the Davis wing the Consolidated Model C-32 (B-24). Consolidated Photo C31-166 Complete Airplane, Floats and Flaps Down, Front View Consolidated Photo C31-167 Complete Airplane, Floats and Flaps Down, 3-4 Front View Consolidated Photo C31-168 Complete Airplane, Floats and Flaps