New-York tribune., 1918-03-14
Meets All Requirements
and Is Accepted by the
Government
Deliveries Now Being
Made in Quantities
Bristol Model for Army
Will Be Ready This
Month
IBy The Associatetl Press

by The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, March 13.-Ameri.
cas- first fighting seaplane equipped
with Liberty motors has been tried and
accepted, it was learned tonight. and a
number of the craft are now being de-
livered for the use of the naval all
service. They are the advance guard
Of big fleet which will be added to the
forces engaged in submarine hunting in
the war zone.
A second type of fighting plane for
the American army. known as the
Bristol model, also has now reached
the production stage, and a consider
able number will become available dur
ing the present month. Still another
type, two-seated machine, also is be-
ing manufactured.
Construction details Of these planes
have never been published. 1t is known
however, that the seaplanes are sub
stantially similar to the British flying
boats and are equipped with two Lib
erty motors, which provide approxi-
mately TOO horsepower to drive the
ship. This is understood to be much in
excess of the power used in similar
British craft, and their performance is
expected to be proportidnately better.
Last Defect Overcome
In this connection, it was learned that
engineers of the Aircraft Board have
overcome the last minor defect of the
Liberty motors, having to do with the
fabrication system. A number OF
motors, taken haphazard, have been
operated continuously for many hours
without any trouble developing.
Officials in close touch with progress
Icing made on production of fighting
planes in this country are still salts
fed that the output will tax shipping
facilities before July, when delivery in
quantities in France has been sched-
uled. Already the problem of caring for
which General Pershing's staff is giving
serious thought.
Those produced in the United States
arc in addition to the fighting aviation
equipment to be provided under con-
tract through the French and British
governments. There are indications
that these foreign contracts also are
not up to the original schedule of de-
livery.
Liberty Motor Attracts Allies
The success Of the Liberty motor is
known to have attracted the attention
of both French and British air service
officials and both governments have hat
experts in this country studying its
construction and methods of quantity
production. 1t is anticipated that {
large number of foreign planes, par
ticularly British, will be using Liberty
motors during tic present year.
Meanwhile, American engineers are
devoting themselves to study of the
motor to be used next year, which un
doubtedly will show a very considera
Bile increase in horsepower over the
present twelve cylinder model.
More powerful motors will be needed
for machines to carry such an arm
ament as General Pershing has pro
posed. In response to an inquiry som;
time ago concerning gun power o.
American fighting planes, General Per
shing recommended at least two heavy
and two light machine guns, adding:
Owe should anticipate the use O.
three NicEers synchronized guns an(
three Lewis unsyn nchronized guns or
every airplanc."
To carry out such a programme
larger planes would be necessary.