Hastings/Hermes
Considering the Hastings seems to have been quite successful, why did the HP Hermes fall so flat? Granted, rebalancing the machine to allow adding a nose leg was a change but they both used the same production jigs and had good engines. Also granted BOAC did have an aversion to home-grown machines.
There must have been a weight and balance issue as there were no seats in the rear ten foot of open cabin. Seen at KIDL (KJFK) in fifties when a Skyways (I think) Hermes overnighted. Got to ride in cockpit on taxi over to our hangar. Roughly mid-fifties.