Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-10-04
AMERICAN EXPERTS
FOR VAR PLANES
New Motor, Called as Good as
Type Used In Foreign Fighting
Machines, Breaks All Ameri-
can Altitude Records.
NHE new standardized American
motor which is to furnish the
power for the thousands of

SVOA oCA Ahdh hhCo anu 0Cl man sui
has been designed. it's parts manufac-
tured and assembled, and in the most
difficult tests that could be devised by
engineering experts it has proved It.
self, in the words of Secretary Baker
"the best air craft engine produced in
any country"
THE new engine is the most remark
able Industrial achievement in Amer
lean history" said the secretary in
making formal announcement of the
motor which is to make real the dream
of $4,000 or 100000 American aero
planes in the contest for air supremacy.
Has Passed Final Tests.
Secretary Bakers statement follows:
"The United States aviation engine
has passed it's final tests. They were
successful and gratifying. The new
motor, designated by the signal service
as 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
ability and minimum weight the new
engine invites comparison with the best
that the European war has produced.
II regard the invention and rapid de.
velopment of this engine as among the
really big accomplishments of the Unit
ed States since it's entry in the war.
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 encourageme of
the aircraft production board, the war
department and the bureau of stand
ards.
"The story Of the production Of this
engine is remarkable one. probably
the war has produced no greater single
achievement.
Zone of the first problems which con-
frOnted the war department and the
aircraft production board after the
declaration of hostilities was to pro-
duce quickly dependable aviation mo-
tor. 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 quality
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-
ducing an all American engine at the
earliest possible moment was presented
to them. Their first conference on
June lasted from afternoon until 2 80
o'clock in the morning.
'These two engineers were figurative-
ly locked in " room in a Washington
hotel and charged with the develop
ment of an airplane motor for use by
American aviatOrs over the battlefields
of Europe.
For five days neither man left the
suit of rooms engaged for them. Con
sulting engineers and dra ftsmen 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 immedi.
ate charge of motor development alter
nately worked twenty-four hour
shift.
"An inspiring feature of this work
was the aid rendered by consulting en-
gineers and motor manufacturers who
gave up their trade secrets under the
emergency war needs. Realizing that
the new design would be government
design and no firm or individual would
reap selfish benefit because of it's max
Ing the motor manufacturers never.
theless practically revealed their trade
secrets and made available trade proc
esses of great commercial value. These
industries have also contributed the
services of approximately 200 of their
best craftsmen.
Quick Work on Engine.
"The two engineers locked together
in hotel room in Washington prom
ised the government. if given an oppor
tunity, they would design satisfac
tory engine before working model
could be brought from Europe.
IA remarkable American engine was
actually produced three weeks before
any model could have been brought
from Europe. 1t was promised that
this engine would be developed before
the Fourth of July.
Twenty eight days after the draw
ings were started the new engine was
set up. This was on July 3.
I'm order to have the engine in
Washington and in actual running or
der at the nations capital on Independ-
ence day the perfected engine was sent
from western city in special express
car. The journey was made in twenty
one hours, and four young men guard
ed the engine en- route to Washington
and personally attended it's transfer
from one railroad to another
with the need for speed as an in
centive, tools for building the first en-