The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-09-13
US. PERFECTS
AERO MOTOR TO
CHALLENGE ALL
Compares With Worlds
Best in Speed. Service
ability and Weight.
HAS PASSED ALL TESTS
Makes 1t Possible to Send 5O,-
900 or 100000 Aircraft to
Invade Germany.
HAS PASSED ALL TESTS

wAsIlvdToN. Sept. i2-The new
Standardized American motor which is
70 furnish the power for the thousands
Of aeroplanes soon to be flying over
German lines and German soil has been
designed, its parts manufactured and
assembled and in the most difficult tests
that could be devised by engineering
experts II has proved itself in the words
of Secretary Baker "the best aircraft
engine produced IN any country
The new engine is the most remark
abie industrial achievement in Ameri-
can history" said the Secretary this
afternoon in making formal announce
ment Of the motor which is to make
real the dream of $4,000 or 100000
American aeroplanes in the contest for
air supremacy.
Has Passed Final Tests.
Secretary Bakers statement follows:
THE United States aviation engine
has passed its final tests. They were
successful and gratifying. The new
motor, designated by the Signal Service
a. the Liberty Motor is now the main
reliance of the United States In the
rapid production in large numbers OF
high powered battle planes for service
In the war. In power. speed, service
engine invites comparison with the best
that the European war has produced.
y regard the invention and rapid de-
velopment of this engine as one of the
really big accomplishments of the
United States since its entry in the
war. The engine was brought about
through the cooperation of more than
score of engineers, who pooled their
skill and trade secrets in the war
xnD wi n
ment of the Aircraft Production Board,
the War Department and the Bureau of
Standards
The story OF the production OF this
engine is a remarkable one. Probably
the war has produced no greater single
achievement.
"one Of the first problems which con-
fronted the War Department and the
Aircraft Production Board after the
declaration Of hostilities was TO produce
quickly a dependable aviation motor
Two courses were open. One was to
encourage manufacturers to develop
their own types: the other TO bring the
best of all types together and develop
standard.
Decided on standard Motor.
The necessity for speed and quantity
production resulted in a choice of the
latter course and a standard motor be-
came our engineering objective.
Two of the best engineers in the
country, who had never before seen
each other. were brought together at
Washington and the problem of pro-
euoing an all-American engine at the
earliest possible moment was presented
to them. Their first conference. on June
]. lasted from afternoon until 9 80
o'clock in the morning.
'Tlpgp t;tro Ix-
locked in room in u Washington hotel
and charged with the development of
an aiTplane motor for use by America n
aviators over the battle fields of Eu-
rope.
For five days neither man left the
suite Of rooms engaged for them Con-
su'ing engineers and craftsman from
various sections of the country were
brought to Washington TO assist them.
The work in the drafting room pro-
ceeded continuously day and night.
Each OF the two engineers In immed ate
charge of motor development alternately
worked twentyfour hour shift.
An inspiring feature Of this work
was the aid rendered by consulting en-
eineers and motor manufacturers who
gave up their trade secrets under the
emergency Of war needs. Realizing that
me new design would be a Government
design and no firm or individual would
reap selfish benefit because Of it's max
Ing, the motor manufacturers neverthe-
less practically revealed their trade
secrets and made available trade proc
esses Of great commercial value
lhese industries have also contributed
the services OF approximately two hun.
cred OF their best draughtsmen.
Quick Work on Engine.
The two engineers locked togethe,
IN hotel room in this city promised the
Government. IL given an opportunity
they would design a satisfactory engine
before a working model could be brought
from Europe.
y remarkable American engine wal
actually produced three weeks before
any model could have been brought from
europe. 1t was promised that this en-
CINE would be developed before tn,
Fourth of July.
Fwenty-eisht days after the drawings
were started the new engine was set up
This was on July 8.
In order to have the engine in Wash
lngton and in actual running order a
me nations capital on independence
Day the perfected engine was sent from
western city in a special express car
ne journey was made in twenty-on
hours and four young men guarded tn
engine en- route to Washington and per
sonally attended its transfer from on
railroad to another.
with the need for speed as an In
cent!ve. tools for building the first engin
were made even before the drawing
were finished, on the assumption tina
they would be correct.
Parts Of the first engine were turne
out at twelve different factories, locate
All the way from Connecticut to Call
iornia. When the parts were assemble
me adjustment was perfect and the per
tormance OF the engine was wonderful
gratifying. This In itself demonstrate
me capabilities of American factorie
when put to the test. and whe
thoroughly organized for emergenc
work Of this sort.
one of the chief rules outlined at th
beginning Of the designing work wa
hst no engineer should be permitted I
introduce construction which had M
been tried out There was no time fc
sheorlzing. The new engine h success
!ul because IL enibodies the best though
W engineering experience to date
80 Not only did this country furnis
ueas through celebrated consulting Ell
,s,heers but the representatives I'm II
United States OF England. France an