New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-09-27
AEROPLANES TO-DAY
WRIGHT AND CURTISS IN
READINESS.
IF the Weather Is Favorable They
Viii Launch Their Craft for
Practice Flights.

Practice Flights.
The thrilling spectacles on the Hudson-Ful-
ton schedule to-day will reach climax if Will
bur Wright and Glenn II. Curtiss decide to test
their aeroplanes. which tuned to per-
lection in the aviation sheds Governors ISL
and. Should the flags and bunting on the city's
building droOp and the sailbOats in the harbor
lack for wind Wright and Curtiss will launch
their air craft In the morning for Joy ride
preliminary to the official Hudsou-Fulton aero
nautical exhibition which is scheduled to begin
on Wednesday
There will be official signals 20 announce
the first aeroplane flights. but the committee
which has been arranging for the contest as
sured everybody who visited the sheds yester-
day that both men would fly IL the wind did not
register velocity of moro than seven miles
With their broad wings stretched TO the limit
and the fine wires which hold the frames tuned
like those Of violin. the big planes are in per-
feet condition. Wilbur Wright. who had a start
OF several days his competitor. had every
detail of his air craft perfect before he closed
his shop on Saturday. He did not appear at the
island yesterday, but spent the day resting.
Curtiss. who will arrive here this morning from
his home In Hammondsport. n. Y. had three
mechanicians placing the finishing touches on
his machine.
Carefully packed and marked. the Curtiss
plane was received at 10 o'clock yesterday
morning, and six hours later it's parts had been
assembled and tested by TOD" Schneider the
expert who has assisted the aeronaut in his va
rious preparations for flights. The torpedo
shaped water gliders were put in position after
the automobile engine had been tried and the
three pneumatic tired wheels had been set true
IN their sockets.
A FEW VIEW CURTISS'S PLANE.
A few privileged visitors and a number OF
army officers had an opportunity to examine
the Curtiss plane when it was wheeled from It's
shed TO be photographed. Smaller than the
Wright craft. it appeared like slender bird. its
brown wings and polished frames attesting to
the strength upon which its operator will depend
when he scars above the buildings of New York
TO the goal at Grants tomb and glides over the
international feet in the Hudson River on the
return to Governors Island as his part in the
Hudson Fulton aviation contract
In the Wright inclOsure the aeropIane was
shut from view and was being jealously guarded
with the same secrecy which it's inventor has
employed since his first flight Even the army
officers who have had a glimpse OF wright's
mechanical bird were unable to explain the
points OF difference between the two machines
Mr. Wright had a rope stretched around his
shed. which was guarded by the army sentry
who patrols that part OF the island.
The sheds OF the aerOplane experts are less
than q hundred feet apart, but neither inventor
has made any comment on the plans OF the
other. and no predictions are being made for
the final flights which are to decide to whom tho
Hudson Fulton prize shall so. Wilbur Wright
is expected to give New Workers and their
guests a sensational t-,p. but he has not made
any statement beyond that mentioned in the
In niOE, ps gg
air for an hour and fly ten miles.
That Wilbur Wright does not intend To dis
appoint his admirers when he begins his pre-
liminary flights is evident by the care with
which he has selected spots from which the
flights can be Witnessed. The Battery. Bellows
Island. South Brooklyn and the ferry boats run
ming from Whitehall street 10 Staten Island and
Brooklyn we're considered by Mr. Wright as
good places tor spectators when he first in
sPected the aerOplane grounds at Governors
Island.
CURTIss TO USE NEW MACHINE.
There is also good supply OF gasolene on
hand. and it Is certain that both men will use
up many gallons before they are ready for the
big contest. which will be the first OF its kind
held in the North. The aeroplane which Curtiss
win navigate is new in every detail. The poll
ished wood propeller has been carefully shaped
SO that it will whirl in a true circle while the
gliders have been set to take advantage of every
ounce of power TO be supplied by the compact
engine set in the centre OF the wings
While Wright and Curtiss have been compIet-
ing their preparations for the flights the offi-
GERS at Governors Island have been giving
every assistance to make the affair success
The big area of filed In land which projects
down the bay has been put In perfect condition
for purposes OF starting. Army prisoners have
been detailed TO remove telegraph posts and IN
in ugly holes while the long of brush which
was designed to prevent the sand from being
blown across the parade ground has been re-
moved, and at the starting point the surface OF
the land has been made smooth as q tennis
court
The guard mount has been doubled to prevent
any fire. and other precautions have been taken
to insure the safety of the planes. The Curtiss
camp is doubly guarded by two mechanicians
who viii sleep i'm the shed alongside the craft
Heavy bolts hold the doors OF wrighrs cabin
which is near the 'non-coms'' quarters
Captain Halstead Dorrey, OF the 4th Infantry
has been detailed 10 take charge of the arny's
soataued On nfth raSA