The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-01-19


bombing machines, reconnaissance machines and
battIeplanes each 4 specialized type designed for
specific duty. Then, in class by themselves,
there the hydropIanes writes Arthur Bening-
ton in the New York World.
Bombing machines the heavy artillery, the
condOrs, the PercherOns, the bulldogs of the air.
Reconnaissance machines the intelligence
service, the carrier pigeons, the hunters, the
pointers, of the air.
BattlepIanes which combine the duties of light
cavalry and machne-gun squads the swaI
lows, the thOrOughbreds, the terriers, the wasps
of the air.
''YOu might as well ask me what kind of horse
consider the finest" replied Italian aviator
when asked for his opinion on the finest airplane
1T all depends upon what service you want your
plane for. For dropping bombs cities there is
nothing like CaprOni; the finest climbers
I personally have encountered were German ma
chimes; the swiftest flyer to date is the Italian
S. V. A. and think the Austrians have the most
reliable hydrOplanes."
Of course this was merely the aviator's personal
opinion, and it is given here not at all because of
its value judgment on the several makes of
machines, but merely to illustrate the diversity of
type and the wisdom of not confusing the differ
ent types in ones mind
For a bombing machine the primary require
ment is ability to carry a heavy load. Then in
order of Importance, come: Medium speed $50 to
100 miles hOur) climbing power $4,000 feet) /;
defensive armament and Il radius of action from
! 60 to 100 miles. Load-carrying power involves
strength of construction, great stability, and
gines that shall develop tremendous power and
yet be as light as possible. Types of the bomb
ing machine are the italian CaprOni, the British
/ Handley-Palmer, and the German GOtha G III
and Friederichshafen G. II.
The reconnaissance machine must have room
for at least two persons pilot and the OBJ
server installation for wireless apparatus and
cameras for taking both still and moving pictures
fuel capacity sufficient for three or four hours of
flight; fairly high speed-say from rs to 100
miles hour-and ability to carry machine
gun with which to defend itself if attacked. The
camera installation makes great stability neces-
| sary. Types of this machine are the italian
| POrlilio s. V A, and Savoia-POmilio; the French
| Voisin, and the German Brandenburg, AlbatrOss
| G III and Aviatiks G Ill
Speed and climbing power the essentials in
battleplane. The latest types of this SOrt-the
Italian s. Y. A. and model of PomfIio the
French Newport and Spad, and the German Al
batrOss D and AlbatrOss Bue-can carry only one
man, who acts pilot, observer and gunner.
! Most of them have only one gum which is not
mounted on a swivel, but is an integral part of
the engine itself for it discharges its bullets
/ between the blades of q propeller revolving so
rapidly that cannot be SEEN it must be perfect
ly synchronized with the motor, otherwise bullet
might strike a blade of the propeller. These
machines are nothing but flying cannon. They
| carry passenger, cameras. no bombs, moth
ing except a single operator and the ammunition
for the gun.
The difference between reconnaissance and bat
tleplanes appear slight when set down in figures,
but then every fraction of an inch affects the
|
Some idea of the differences may be obtained
from the dimensions, and these be given only
approximately except in two cases. 1t is
of course, impossible describe Ameri-
can planes. the comparisons that follow are
based on foreign machines.
One of the smallest of the battleplanes is
new Pomilio which has not yet been tested II
America. American representatives of the Ansal
do company of Genoa which makes the S. V. A
another very small one-decline to make its di
mansions public at present but Capt. Alessandrc
PomliO, designer of the machines that bear hi:
name. has objection to it being stated that the
Pomilio which flew from Fortress Monroe tC
Nineola and which scared over New York on Lib
erty Loan day, has wing spread of approximate
ly 50 feet. This, however, is a reconnaissance
machine. The that is coming is batueplant
and its wings have spread of only Fraction
over 80 feet. Both these Pomilio machines have
exactly the same motor, 2OO-horse-power Isetta
FraSchni, but the greater size of the one alread!
here enables it to carry passenger and cameras
while the smaller carry only one man
The reconnaissance POmiIiO makes 120 miles al
hour; a scout is said to have made on tests II
Italy $50 miles hour.
= So far as official tests known, the 5. V. A
holds the record for speed This is the machine
that made the sensational flight from Turin t.
Rome 396 miles, in two hours and fifty minutes
| averaging 1908 miles hour. The French Nfeu
, port machines are unoficially reported to hav
made high 10 miles hour.
! The dimensions of the German Albatross D
are known exactly, having been published by tn
French military authorities after measurement o
captured machines. Its wings have a spread o
297 feet; its fuselage is 236 feet long; its spee
is 124 miles hour and it climb to 1880 feet
1t carries two rapid-fre guns, dischargng through
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