New-York tribune., 1915-11-10
By GORDON BRUCE.
fpv Cshis 70 The Trfhuns


London. Nov. 9.-For the first time
since the war began newspaper corre-
spondents have been allowed to inspect
the great new aviation centres Of the
British army. Escorted by War Office
officials, we visited to-day several OF
the principal bases in England. The
only possible conclusion after the trip
is that Britain has determined on mas
terry of the air, as Of the sea. Further,
she is in fair way 20 accomplish her
end, II, indeed, that is not already the
situation.
The strides made In the last year are
nothing short Of marvellous. and there
is little doubt that England to-day has
near completion the most wonderful
feet of heavier than air machines in
existence, not excepting France.
We started early this morning in
three government automobiles in charge
Of Colonel Cormack. The first base
visited WAS Northolt, where a few
months ago there was nothing but roll
ing, vacant land. To-day long lines OF
modern hangers border the great field.
and there are machine shops for expert
ments and repairs. At this point are
not less than forty Of the latest type
planes, all used in training raw recruits
drawn from the regular army under su-
pervision Of some Of the worlds most
famous flyers.
Airmen Get Rigid Training.
The training is extremely rigid, and
the men are not considered At for SER
vice until they have had about thirty
hours of actual instruction in the air,
something like seven times the length
Of schooling the average American pilot
receives. If a man cannot show in a
very short time that he Is capable Of
making good he is thrown into the dis
card without ado. There is no time to
waste with poor material when frst
class timber is obtainable. At this field
one large shed is devoted TO assembling
Curtiss aeroplanes. The officers say
they give excellent satisfaction in view
of the fact that Curtiss had to rise 10
the occasion in great haste. All admit
the remarkable improvement In Ameri-
can machines, and are optimistic in re-
gard TO the future industry on the
ObHoI oAuc VI tHc hIihhNIS'
The next establishment viewed was
the mammoth works Of the Napier Mo-
tor Car Company, which from the first
has been building motor lorries for the
army. The supply Of these cars has so
well kept pace with the demand that
the great plant has been turned into
an aeroplane factory. Acres Of floor
space have been nicely divided into de-
partments required by the new busi-
ness, while new buildings containing
hundreds of thousands Of square feet
have sprung up like mushrooms.
At this plant | had a first glimpse Of
women building aeroplanes, truly re-
markable sight. Here and in other fac
tories, as ! discovered later, practically
all wing covering and other fabric work
are done by girls and women. They take
TO il as ducks to water and do better
work more quickly than the men.
Preparing for the Zeppelins.
After leaving the Napier plant the
party journeyed to the works of the Air
craft Company, not far from the Hem
don flying grounds. Six giant build
ings take the place of the single small
one Of eighteen months ago. Every
nook and corner Is utilized for ma
chimes are turned out in patches of
twenty and thirty. The company has
just completed a high speed gun which
has a remarkable climbing record. 1t
is mounted with gun Of the Lewis
type, which has drawn unstinted praise
from British authorities and is used
widely in both branches of the air SER
vice, although the manufacturer got lit
tie satisfaction from Uncle Sam.
As for Zeppelins. The one hope
dearest to the heart of every British