from leaking out until the Friendship was on its way eastward from Boston Harbor.
For the 900 gallons of gas we planned to take, two large elliptical tanks, in addition to those in the wings, were constructed in the cabin. These occupied the space normally used for passenger chairs in the modern airliner. The weight of all filled would be about 6000 pounds, as gasoline weighs a little more than six pounds to the gallon, and the tanks themselves are heavy, too. With the gas we actually took, the Friendship weighed more than five tons.
Originally the Fokker was a land plane with wheels, but pontoons had been built and fitted so that it was transformed into a seaplane, the first tri-motor so equipped. In theory, at least, it could land on reasonably smooth seas safely. Pontoons, by the way, not only are supposed to slow down flying speed in the air as opposed to wheels, but may decidedly increase the difficulties of getting off with a heavy load.
The motors to carry the Fokker were Wright Whirlwinds, 225 horsepower each. The width of the wings of the ship was about 72 feet, which is more than twice as broad as most houses are high. They were painted a lovely gold and narrowed gracefully in shape at the tips. The body of the ship, the fuselage, was orange, which blended beautifully with the gold. It was chosen, however, not for artistic effect, but because chrome-yellow, its technical name, can be seen farther than any other
