Apr. 04, 1953 - Thirty Handley Page Marathons will soon be in service with the...

Apr. 04, 1953 - Thirty Handley Page Marathons will soon be in service with the Royal Air Force as advanced navigation trainers. The Marathon, with its large cabin, high speed and long-range, is considered ideal for airborne instruction in modern navigational techniques. The civil version of the Marathon is in service with West African Airways Corporation and Union of Burma Airways on their tropical routes. Picture Show: Top: One of the 30 Marathons on order for the R.A.F. Center: Cutaway model of the plane, showing (left to right): pilot (in cockpit), radio operator, staff navigator and two students. Pear-drop windows and an astrodome amidships give trainees an all-around view. Bottom: Closeup of the stations occupied by (left to right) staff navigator and two trainees. Powered by four de Havilland” Gipsy Queen” engines, the aircraft cruises at over 200 m.p.h. and has a range of 1,400 miles. In it trainees based in Britain will fly as far afield as the Mediterranean on navigation exercises.