The Washington times., 1914-07-07
Disappointment in Workings Of
Hydroplane Boards May
Cause Reconstruction.
MORE PLANNING POWER
is NOW SOLE PROBLEM
Lieutenant Is Confident. How
ever, and viii Begin New
Experiments at Once.
By LIEUT.. JOHN CYRIL PORTE, R.N.

0y LIEU i. JOhN VI Kill fON1L, N. N
We ran into disappemIm-nts IN giving
a second trial to the hydroplane boards
which. Mr.. Curtiss devised while 1 was
holidaying in New York. 1t looks now
as though we should have either to ex-
pertinent further or 90 back to the
pontoons, although they have disad-
vantage after the machine leaves the
water.
The hydroplane boards which Mr..
Curtiss tried Sunday afternoon. when
he few the America with one propeller,
are mere blades. eighteen inches wide.
hat on the bottom, curved slightly on
the top and extending out six feet on
each side Of the hull below the water
line They are supported by struts bolt
ed to the framework Of the lower wings.
One Of them was broken in Sundays
test SO that not until yesterday did
We reach any conclusion as to their
efficiency. Mr.. Curtiss believes he
las struck In these blades the right
principle for Increasing the planning
power of the boat without materially
adding to the head resistance in the
air. His purpose is to avoid the dis
advantages CT the pontoons tried last
week. when the America rose from
the water with 2.107 pounds OF use
full load.
May Go Back to Pontoons.
The pontoons are six inches deep.
three feet widc. and ten feet long.
and in the air they necessarily hold
the machine back to an extent that
should be avoided II possible. How
ever. If We do not solve the problem
of raising the America out of the
water with planes, l think now that
we shall very soon resort TO the pom
toons and build a pair strong enough
to be attached permanently to the
lower wings or be grated onto the
hun. The problem is to obtain flota-
tion without impeding the craft after
we once get il in the air with the
full load.
The narrow hydroblades appeared
TO be very effective in getting the
hull out Of the water. but no sooner
would We succeed in getting to the
surface than the blades seemed TO
lose their efficiency. and we would
hink back into the waves. unable TO
maintain speed enough to leave the
surface.
Mr.. Curtiss, following US in a pow
erful motorboat. with Lieut.. John H.
Towers, Of the United States navy.
thought after the trial that q little
more lifting power under the keel
Of the America would make things
right. On this theory q supplement
taTy tail I'm was added tonight. and
before deciding to discard or alter
the hydroblades. The tail Tin is the
one tried and discarded a week ago
in combination with the first type
cess.
Figure on. Big Weight.
II we decide to return to the proved
principle of pontooning the load out
Of the water il should not take more
than two or three days to build and
attach the permanent structures sim
liar TO the Langley launching pom
toons tried last week Before Sur
days flight in which Mr.. Curt:ss ran
the America on one propeller with
about half of her full load. l would
not have considered the pontooms
practicable on account of the head
resistance which they must create.
But the demonstration of power
enough I'm one motor to fly with half
q load should indicate a carrying ca
pscity of 6,ooO 10 1000 pounds in
stead of the 5000 which we count ON
requiring.
With this much reserve power, the
idea Of carrying the pontoons through
the air is not SO foolish as 1t at first
seemed. II may be very practicable
At any rates II offers a quick way out
OF the difficulty II our experiments do
not find q better one very soon.
George Hallett, my assistant pilot,
agreed with me that after ali the
Tacking to which the motors will have
been subjected in so much blowing
through water in these experimental
flights. il. will be wise 10 substitute
another set for the transatlantic
fight We have given the America s
power plant much harder vibration
Than she will likely encounter in all
the air passage of the ocean and the
valves may be slightly worn. The
motors for the second flyer have been
rested and found quite as efficient as
those now in use. and IL is about de
cided now that we will install them at
ST. Johns and hold these motors in
reserve.
1CopyriKhf 1914 Press Publishing COMPANY