The Midnight Liner was larger with three 400-hp Liberty engines – one on each wing and another in the nose.

It was his objective to produce large number of these aircraft to outfit his airline, but the 1920 recession deprived Lawson of the investment funds to meet payroll and other development expenses.

As Lawson's financial situation worsened, he decided to fly his new airliner from a space near the factory, rather than make a costly ground transport move to Hamilton Field (now Gen. Mitchell Field).

Lawson finally gave the order to attempt flight on May 8, 1921.

The Lawson Air Liners are renowned due to their size (for the time) and the ambition of their flamboyant promoter.