New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-31
Equipment Sufficient to
Last u. S. Five Years
Thrown Away.
AVIATORS' LIVES
ARE TOO PRECIOUS
The Slightest Defect Condemns
Machines Before Acct
dents Occur.
Nv GORDON BRUCE.

London, Jan. l0.-hfcsl p'l'"'
thrown into the scrap heap In one year
more acronautical equipment than the
United States plans TO acquire during
the next five years, even n the sug-
gcs'ed aviation appropriation OF
$4,000 900 is not cut down By Con
gress.
A rather startling statement that
but one look at the Junk pile at the
white city, in the outlying districts
OF London. will give slight idea OF
what British thoroughness means.
Everything imaginable in the line Of
aerial equipment is there. And II looks
like good stuff. too.
But they can tell you those keen
eyed officers just why this motor IS
not as good as IL seems TO be or why
that splendid appearing aeroplane Ia
not considered fit for the young flyers
10 take into the air.
Since the war began trife of
81 900 900 or Whereabouts In air SER
vice material has been tossed into the
discard simply because the British DO
not follow the policy OF sending their
men aloft In unfit machines. Wheh
mems lives are at stake those who
have built up Britain's wonderful ny
ing CORPS do not consider expense Tor
a second On the other hand, they do
not waste cent.
To explain in detail the British sys-
tenn of inspection and condemnation
would take too much space and might
prove a bit technical for the average
reader. But few facts about the
business may be of general interest.
At each aviation base all machines
are inspected daily. In addition 10 that
special inspector visits the aero
dromes at regular intervals and care
fully checks the work of the men on
duty at each point. All Of the inspect
ors are experts in aeronautlcs ana
competent engineers. Perhaps that IS
why the death rate IN the British
aerial forces is the lowest Of any
branch.
If the slightest flaw is found in a
machine il is condemned without fur
thcr ado. | have seen planes which
were burned simply because few ribs
were broken. At least that is all tina,
appeared 10 be wrong. But, the Off
ers tell me. If an accident ocurs in
which a couple OF ribs are broken the
came shock that broke them may have
weakened some part in such manner
as to defy detection.
Therefore, rather than risk the loss
OF an aviator. the machine is con
demned and destroyed after the re-
moya OF the motor and such fittings
as are sound beyond shadow Of doubt.
All Of which is refreshing when one
thinks of the American aviators who
have fallen TO their deaths in machines
known 20 have been unsafe. Here the
flyer is given no choice. His superiors
gill not permit him 10 Nv in anything
that has not been approved.
The big junk pile contains ma
chimes Of every description, including
practically every make Of English ma
chine and a fair quota Of American
built craft. Many planes arc never put
into service because the preliminary
tests have fallen short of the require
ments, which are extremely rigid.
Some day there will be huge bar
gain sale out AZ the White City" and
something will be realized from the
great heaps Of motors. planes. wires
and fittings. But none of 1t will he
used for war purposes. Just now. how
ever. the place is Junk dealers para
disc.