The US postal service started constructing airway beacons between 1923-1933 to aid navigation before there were good aviation charts for pilots. A series of lighted beacons were placed every 10 miles or so along with a brightly painted concrete arrow for navigation during inclement weather and at night. The lights would flash a code to identify each beacon's number. By 1940, when technology had improved, the beacons were torn down and the steel went towards the war effort.
for the letter A - air mail
I was expecting a country, but now this old stamp will give us other ideas.
ReplyDeleteWow that text paints quite a picture of following flashing lights on a dark stormy night. Those early aviators were something else.
ReplyDeleteSorry somehow I've put my link in twice while flipping between views, complete mystery as to what I've pressed. Its a good thing that I don't navigate aeroplanes.
ReplyDeleteno worries. is now deleted. will visit everyone later today.
ReplyDeleteA great choice for A. I love the fact that you didn't choose a country. Looking forward to a fun A-Z trip over the next 6 months.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting, I never had realized before that aviation in the early years needed this type of 'air lighthouse'!
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you chose a mail-related subject for the letter A!
I was expecting a country, but now this old stamp will give us other ideas.
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