Omaha daily bee., 1917-09-13
with the best that the European war
has produced.
A Composite Product.

A Composite Product.
81 regard the invention and rapid
development of this engine as one oi
the really big accomplishments OF
the United States since its entry into
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
encouragement of the aircraft produc-
ton board, the War department and
the bureau of standards.
"The story Of the production OF
this engine is remarkable one.
Probably the war has produced no
greater single achievement.
"One of the first problems was to
produce quickly a dependable avia-
ton 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. The latter
course was chosen and two OF the
best engineers in the country were
brought together at Washington and
the uroblem OF producing an all
American engine at the earliest pos
sible moment was presented to them.
Their first conference was on june q.
Worked in Shifts.
"These two engineers were figura-
lively locked in room in a Washing
ton hotel and for five days neither
left the suite of rooms. Consulting
engineers and craftsmen from various
sections OF the country were brought
to Washington to assist them. The
work in the drafting room proceeded
continuously day and night. Each OF
the two engineers in immediate
charge of the motor development
alternately worked twenty-tour
hour shift.
"An inspiring feature of this work
was the aid rendered by consulting
engineers and motor manufacturers
who gave up their trade secrets under
the emergency Of war needs The in
dustries have also contributed the
services Of approximately 200 OF their
best craftsmen.
"The two engineers promised the
government, il given an opportunity,
they would design a satisfactory en-
CINE before a working model could
be brought from Europe.
A remarkable American engine was
actually produced three weeks before
any model could have been brought
from Europe. Twenty-eight days after
the drawings were started the new
engine was set up. This was or
July s. - ... ..,. :.
Twelve Factories Help.
with the need for speed as an in
rentive, 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 fac.
tories, located all the way from Con-
necticut to California. When the parts
were assembled the adjustment was
perfect and the performance of the
engine was wonderfully gratifying
This in itself demonstrates the capa.
bilities of American factories wher
put to the test and when thoroughly
organized for emergency work oi
this sort.
"One of the chief rules outlined al
the beginning of the designing work
was that no engineer should be per.
mitted to introduce construction
which had not been tried out. There
was no time for theorizing. The new
engine is successful because it EN-
bodies the best thought of engineer
ing experience up to date Represen
tatives in the United States of Eng
land. France and Italy co-operated II
the development of this motor.
Tests Fully Confirm Faith.
Thirty days after the assembling
OF the first. engine preliminary test!
justified the government in formal,
accepting the engine as the best air
craft engine produced in any country
The final tests confirmed our faitl
in the new motor in every degree.
Both the flying and altitude test.
OF the new motor have been crafty
ing. One test was conducted at Pike.
Peak, where it performed satisfactor
lily at this high altitude. One OF tn,
engines in an airplane, broke tn,
American altitude record in a recen
flying test. .s-t,
while it is not deemed expedien
to discuss in detail the performance
and mechanics of the new motor, i
may be said that Standardization is
chief factor in the development O
the governments motor. Cylinder.
pistons and every other part OF tn
motor may be produced rapidly an,
economically by a great many fax
tories operating in all parts Of th