Franklin 'Airman'

[Akstraw 264]

I read with interest the article in the autumn ACN entitled "The Last Airman."  In what years did Franklin officially refer to some models as "Airman"?

[Steve Braverman 57]

The name Airman was first used in 1928, and was then used until the end of production in 1934. After 1932, it differentiated the full-size six-cylinder cars from the Olympic and V12.

[PFitz 835]

Franklin is somewhat inconsistent in the use of term "Airman", which can lead to confusion.

 

"Airman" only appears on the covers of the Series 12 and 16 operator's operator's manuals and sales catalogs. Yet they still made reference to aircraft-like design of the engine in their advertising. 

 

Paul

[Akstraw 264]

Thanks, Steve and Paul.  I had been wondering whether my 145 would correctly be called an Airman, as I have never seen that word in any printed material for that particular series.

[PFitz 835]

There might be some clarity in the Dealer letters as to why "Airman" does not appear in '29, '30 & '31 ?  They have a lot of info that is not in the operator's manuals or sales catalogs.

 

Another term that's a bit inconsistent in it's uses is, "Transcontinent". 

 

Paul

Edited December 6, 2020 by PFitz (see edit history)