The Washington times., 1908-07-26
Signal Corps, Unprepared
for Test, Surprised by
PromptneSS.
CAPTAIN AWAITS
ARRIVAL OF TENT
Is Busy Assembling Parts Of Biz
Dirigible-Eyes of Aeronautic
World on Washington.

Capt. Thomas S. Baldwin has made
a good start. He has delivered his
dirigibIe balloon at Fort Myer before
the Signal Corps was ready for the
tests This is unusual in any contract.
even Cor coal or FIRE wood.
He did this. too. in the face of a lot
OF scofrers who pessimisticaIly pro-
claimed that there could be no sue
cessful airshir, that a practical dirigible
of the kind required was impossible,
and that one never would be delivered,
much less on time. Captain Baldwin
was four days ahead of time with his
delivery. and is waiting upon the Sig
nal Corps to assemble his machine.
Nothing has been heard from the New
York firm that took the contract for
the immense tent which is to be erected
on the parade ground for the Baldwin
machine wher 1t is put up. This tent
was to be delivered at Fort Myer July
O. Upon this tent depends the COM
mencement Of real work at the fort.
Both the Signal Corps and Captain
Baldwin are waiting.
Balloon Unpacked Quickly.
Yesterday the uapacking was finished
early, end all the preliminary assemb-
ling work done. That is, the various
parts Of the machine have been put to-
gether in sections ready for assembling
as a whole.
Speaking TO a Times representative
last night. Captain Baldwin stated uat
he was anxious 10 get down 10 bust
ness
1T will be impossible TO give even ar
approximate date of the trials. how
ever" he said. until probably Tues
day, when the tent either VIII have ar
rived or some explanation or assurance
IS received from the contractor"
Yesterday Captain Baldwin, Lieuten-
ants Lahm and Foulois devoted their
attention 70 completing the Inspection
and measurements Of the two circular
balloons. which he contracted 10 de
liver with the dirigible. one of these
T. to be used as captive balloon, and
the other as free balloon. They arc
both OF yellow silk outside and In. and
in that way slightly different from the
dirigiblc, which is glistening silver
gray
Captain BaIdwin's machine is the most
interesting ever seen around Washing
ton. The gas bag viii contain two
balloonets. which, with their centrifu-
gal air pumps are expected 10 maintain
an even pressure and 'the horizontal
plane. The bag is made in three layers.
silk. vulcanized rubber, with layer Of
aluminium silk ON the outside This
form Of manufacture is expected to
prove highly successful.
Frame of Spruce.
The frame IS Of Oregon spruce. braced
with finely spun wire. This is excep-
tionally strong and light. The propeller
VIII be on the front and will pull.
rather than force the machine. The gas
bag IS shaped along the lines Of least
resistance, and was cut after a model
made by Prof. Alfred Zahm. OF the
Catholic University. IN this II Is similar
10 the enormous Zeppelin machine,
which was not built until long after
Prof. Zahm had perfected his model
The engine Is of special design, and
is the most salient feature Of the en-
tire machine It will develop re-
markable horsepower for its weight,
and viii run for two hours without
heating. II was especially designed and
constructed by c. II. Curtis, OF the
Curtis Manufacturing Company. who
has for several years been working
with the American Aeronautic Explora-
ton Society. The success Of the ma
chine depends largely on this motor.
When the tests are started at Fort
AIyer, they will attract the eyes OF the
world No sooner will the dlrigible
tests have been completed than the
heavier than air machines Of the
Wright Brothers. and a. NJ. Herring.
OF New York, will be due. and work
will then no commenced VVaehTno-fo,
will be the mecca of hundreds OF dis
tinguished aeronauts, and the foreign
observers will flock to the course TO
witness the work and the progress
made by America