TITLE | NO HIGHWAY | Remarks |
---|---|---|
Published: | 1948 | |
Setting: | 1950+ | |
Story: | A weird Boffin at RAE Farnborough predicts metal fatigue in the tail of the latest Transatlantic Airliner. Whilst en-route to investigate an earlier crash in Labrador he discovers that the aircraft he is flying-in has a similar number of critical flying hours. He disables the aircraft at Gander by selecting undercarriage-up. The story is embellished by a glamorous film-star passenger and an air hostess. The resolution of the problem is assisted by the psychic powers of the boffin’s young daughter. | |
Locations: |
RAE Farnborough and Farnham
Heathrow - Gander by air Labrador |
|
Main Characters: |
Theodore Honey and daughter Elspeth
Dr Scott (narrator) his boss at RAE Farnborough Captain Samuelson, CATO pilot Monica Teasdale (film-star) & Marjorie Corder CATO stewardess |
|
Flying Episodes: |
Scientific investigation of metal-fatigue
Flying in an aircraft that may be doomed Locating the crashed aircraft |
|
Aircraft: |
CATO Reindeer –transatlantic airliner
Assegai – latest supersonic fighter |
|
Flying Characters: |
Capt. Samuelson & First Off. Dobson
Stewardess: Marjorie Corder Passenger/Film Star: Monica Teasdale |
|
Aviation Location(s): |
North Atlantic
Gander Labrador |
|
Aviation Activities |
RAE Farnborough, Structures Research
Transatlantic Flight Gander Airport Labrador Crash Site |
|
Additional Comments: | The plot conveys Shute's own belief in mysticism. The final chapter confirms his inclination towards on-going supersonic research. |