Brrrrr! Happy Wednesday. I hope your furnace is working and that the price of heating fuel doesn't go any higher! Just think ... when you use the Civic Center or visit the Nicholas-Beazley Museum in winter, you'll certainly be warm there! I had to tie that in, you know.

Let's see ... what fun facts can we explore this week? Well, for those of you who might tend to think of the "airplane thing" as just something small in a small town, let me tell you how the U. S. government was active in giving the NB-3 the OK to be produced, then sold worldwide. Worldwide! It is also amazing that the Marshall factory could turn out one plane a day. A day!

"July 18, 1929 The Marshall Democrat-News

"Nicholas-Beazley Receives U.S. Okay on Barling NB-3

"Approved Type of Certificate No. 174 Was Issued by

"Commerce Department Last Week

"Nicholas-Beazley Airplane Company received a message from the United States Department of Commerce last week informing them that the department was granting them an approved type of certificate to cover the Barling NB-3 monoplanes manufactured by the company. The certificate is number 174.

"The Barling NB-3 is one of the first ships to be passed under the new Department of Commerce requirements which went into those in effect prior to July 1. The monoplane manufactured by the local company is said to be the only three-place ship with a 60-horsepower engine to be approved by the government.

"The message from the government was met by the company with the announcement that production of monoplanes would be increased immediately from four planes a week to one plane a day, and possibly eight planes a week. With the completion soon of the new $40,000 covering and dope plant just to the west of the main factory, the company will be in position to turn out an unlimited number of planes weekly.

"Before approving the product of the Nicholas-Beazley plant, the government subjected the ships to very rigid tests. The little planes were put through every stunt known to aviation. They were loaded down with sand and made to spin. They were made to fly alone, that is, without anyone holding the controls. They were made to dive steeply several hundred feet and then the pilot removed his hands and feet from the controls and let them regain their horizontal flying position themselves. These are just a few of the conditions which had to be met in order to convince the government that the planes were air-worthy."

The next article from The Marshall Democrat-News, dated Aug. 22, 1929, shows us that the NB-3 was being promoted extensively, as in the Aeronautical Exposition in Cleveland, Ohio.

"Nicholas-Beazley to Exhibit at Cleveland Show

"Greatest Aeronautic Exposition of All Time

"Will Be Held Aug. 24 to Sept. 2

"Nicholas-Beazley Airplane Company will have a large exhibit, in fact two of them, at the National Air Races and Aeronautical Exposition at Cleveland August 24 to Sept. 2, it was announced today. The company will have space for a parts and supply display and space for exhibit of Barling NB-3 monoplanes.

"Nicholas-Beazley has reserved 300 square feet of space for parts and supplies and 1,012 square feet of space for the monoplanes. The company is in the group with Ford, Lockheed-Vega, Fokker, Fairchild, and Avian corporations. This indicates that the local concern is stepping out in high company.

"In the parts section will be a sample of every piece of an airplane manufactured that is handled by the Nicholas-Beazley company, including various types of engines and repairs. The articles sent to the exposition filled a railroad car to capacity. R. B. VanZant, sales manager for this department, will be in direct charge of the booth.

"In the Barling NB-3 display will be the monoplanes and also one uncovered wing, highly polished, to show the type of construction of the ship. Out at the airport will be additional ships which will be demonstrated by H. A. Speer, sales manager for the Barling NB-3, and D. S. (Barney) Zimmerley, test pilot. Mr. Speer will also be in charge of the plane display. This is the first opportunity to show the monoplanes since the approved type of certificate was issued by the government recently.

"A Barling NB-3, to be flown by Zimmerley, has been entered in several contests for which prizes are offered. Over $300,000 are offered as prizes to be awarded during the week.

"At the Cleveland Exposition will be the largest display of aeronautical products and planes in the history of the industry. It is to be the big show of the country. Planes will fly all day and under especially prepared rules at night. The local company expects to make many contracts for supplies and sales of Barling NB-3 planes.

"During the Exposition the National Aeronautic association will hold its annual convention. Mr. Speer, Mr. VanZant, and Mr. Zimmerley have been appointed delegates from the Marshall Chapter of the convention."

Check this out ...

Talk about far-reaching investigation and marketing ... it appears Russell Nicholas had his sites trained on Europe:

The Marshall Democrat-News, July 18, 1929

"Russell Nicholas Sails

"Local Airplane Executive Gives Out Interview in New York

"New York, July 11 -- Russell Nicholas, president of the Nicholas-Beazley Airplane Company of Marshall, Mo., sailed on the Majestic yesterday from New York for an extended European trip. He will visit the leading aviation centers abroad and expects to make a particular study of the possibilities for enlarged export business.

"Commenting on the general situation abroad, Mr. Nicholas, who was in New York yesterday, said: "European manufacturers long ago realized the necessity of designing planes with more pay load per horsepower. Until recently, they have dominated the field in light, economical planes. American manufacturers are beginning to realize the importance of efficient design in aircraft rather than depending upon power engines for performance."

"The Marshall man expressed the belief that because of the phenomenal progress being made in aviation in this country many of our leading manufacturers do not realize the comprehensive development taking place in Europe."

Building the Vision appears Wednesday.