The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-13
Engine Which Will Be Used
for American Aeroplanes
Developed in Record Time
JOINT PRODUCTION OF
EXPERT ENGINEERS
Standardization of Parts Makes
Possible Vast Production
Which Is Already Begun.
Deliveries Will Be Prompt


proclaimed the greatest single
achievement of the war"
It is the new liberty motor a
light. powerful engine with which
American aeroplanes will be fitted
The motor is equal to any In Eu-
rope" says the war department Pow
or without weight is it's principal
claim to fame
For the first time. Mr.. Baker to-
day told the story OF the Invention
OF the liberty motor" how two OF
the foremost engineers OF the nation
were called to Washington and Tor
five DAYS remained in local hotel.
finally emerging with the completed
plans for the engine.
II regard the invention and rapid
development OF this engine as one VI
the really big achievement OF
the I-n1el States since its entry into
the war The engine has rassed its
final tests They were successful and
gratifying.
The engine was brought about
through the cooperation OF more
than a score Of engineers who pooled
their skill and trade secrets in the
war emergency. working with the en-
AtlNiI HFrf#ftFftt w WAC go ~ 49, -
tion board the war department and
the bureau OF standards.
The story of the production of this
engine Is n remarkable one, Probably
the war has produced no single great
ev achievement.
TWO Courses Open.
zone or the first problems which
confronted the war department and
the aircraft production Board after
the declaration OF hostilities was 10
produce quickly dependable avia-
ton motor. Two courses were open
One was to encourage marufactur-
ers to develop their own types; the
other to bring the best of all types
together and develop standard.
The necessity for speed and
quantity Of production resulted in a
choice of he .Igtser course ard a 4!
sta rdard motor became our. engineer
ing 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-
ducing an all-Anertcau engine at the
earliest possible moment was pre-
scented 10 them
These two engineers were fgura
tivelv locked in a room in a Wash
inEtan hotel and charged with the
development of an airplane motor for
use NY American avlators over the
Of Europe For five days
neither man left the suite of rooms
engaged for him, Consulting engi- |
neers and craftsmen from various sec
lions Of the country were brought to
Washington to assist them. The work
In the drafting room proceeded con-
day and night. Each of
the two engineers in immediate charge
of motor development alternately |
worked "A twenty-four~ hour shift
Trade Secrets Given Freely.
An inspiring feature of this work
MAS thn-ald rendered -hs- consult ia
engineers and motor manufacturers
who gave up their trade secrets I'M
der the emergency of war needs I
Realizing that the new design would
he a government design and no firm
or individual could reap selfish benefit
because Of It's making. the motor man
practically revealed their
trade secrets and made available trade |
processes of great commercial value |
"A remarkable engine was actually |
produced three weeks before any mod
Ell could have been brought from Eu-
rope. 1t was promised that this en-
CINE would be developed before the
4th of July. Twenty-eiEht DAYS af-
ter the drawings were started the new
engine was set up. This was on
July 8,
Tn order to have the engine In
actual running order at the nation s
capital on independence day the per-
fected engine was sent from a West
ern city in special express car, The
tourney was made IN twenty=one
hours. Four men guarded the engine
en- route to WASHINGTON
With the need for speed as an in
eehtive, tools for building the first
engine were made even before the
drawings were finished. on the as
sumption that they would be correct
Parts OF the first engine were
turned out at twelve different facto-
ries, located all the way from Con-
necticut to California. When the parts
were assembled the adjustment was
perfect, This In itself demonstrates
that capabilities of American facto-
ries when put to the test and when
organized for emergency
work of this sort.
The representatives in the United
States. of England. France and Italy
co-operated in the development of this
motor.
Final Tests Successful.
Thirty days after the assembling
of the first engine preliminary tests
justified the government in formally /,
accepting the engine as the best air !
craft engine produced In any country. |
The final tests confirmed our faith In |
the new motor In every degree.
Both the flying and altitude tests !
of the new motor have been grati- /
flying. One test was conducted at |
Pixies Peak. One OF the engines In |
an airplane broke the American alti-
tude record in recent flight
while 1t Is not deemed exped;cnt
Continued On second Pars,l