communicating in a 1920s-1930s plane

rosehips

Mr. Boo is watching you.
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Feb 14, 2011
Messages
808
Reaction score
58
Location
Burgundy, France
Website
www.upwork.com
Hi all,
I'm writing a decopunk fantasy novel and I'm basing a plane in it on the SEV-3, mainly because it looks cool. I am ignorant of how these planes work, but luckily, I've been able to read a bit about them online. I do have a question I can't seem to find an answer for, however. The SEV-3 has two tandem cockpits, one forward one for the pilot and one behind for two passengers. Can the pilot communicate with the passengers while they are in the air? If so, how?

If not, what could I alter in the design to allow for communication? This is a fantasy novel, after all, so there's leeway.

Thanks in advance for any answers!
 

WriteKnight

Arranger Of Disorder
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Mar 16, 2008
Messages
1,746
Reaction score
247
Location
30,000 light years from Galactic Central Point.
Don't know the specifics of that particular aircraft - but typically pilot and other aircrew of that era communicated over an intercom system. Basically a 'telephone' connection wired between cockpits. Might have headphones and hand mics, might have 'speakers' too.
 

alleycat

Still around
Kind Benefactor
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Apr 18, 2005
Messages
72,873
Reaction score
12,224
Location
Tennessee
You might want to check out North to the Orient by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. They used a similar plane.
 

Trebor1415

practical experience, FTW
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jan 3, 2009
Messages
653
Reaction score
82
Location
Michigan
You can go either way depending on the needs of the story.

If you want them to be able to communicate have the pilot have a radio headset with a switch for internal intercom. Then either have the passengers also wear headsets or have an intercom built into the bulkhead. The pilot would control the intercom by selecting either the radio, to call outside the plane, or intercom for internal communication. If the setting is "radio" the passengers wouldn't be able to broadcast or contact the pilot until and unless he switches the setting back to "intercom."

They may also have a simple, non powered, speaking tube system. That would be a bit primitive for the time, but is a possibility.



Btw, none of this is specific to the particular plane you mentioned. It's just based on the tech available at the time and general knowledge.
 

thothguard51

A Gentleman of a refined age...
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
9,316
Reaction score
1,064
Age
72
Location
Out side the beltway...
The passengers also wore head sets so they could communicate with the pilot. The rear seats were not side by side but one behind the other. There is a bulkhead between the pilot and the passenger compartment. Entry to the passenger compartment was via the canopy, just like the pilot.