Arizona republican., 1918-12-06
ARMYFL YERSRE CITY; WILL DEPART AT 1 O'CLOCK TODA1
Thousands Notified Of Arrival By Ctys Great Whistle
 Watch Entrance Of Squadron Of Airpanes After Un- eventfu Flight From Calexico; Exhibition Of Flying To Be Given People at 1 O'clock This Afternoon

q see them, 1 see themi" Hun dreds of voices took up the cry as the big whistle at the water works car ried the alarm over the town and near by country. Two thousand persons on the amphitheater and on the drive ways at the state fair grounds and many thousands in the downtown and residence districts of Phoenix craned necks to get a sight of the first mill tary airplanes to visit this city.
 Far off in the southwest a tiny speck appeared against the faint blue of the sky, directly over the mountains. It grew larger and larger, then multiplied swiftly to four. Someone looked at a watch and announced the time-4:21. There was no doubt about it; the army airplanes from San Diego the town had awaited for two days had at last been sighted. A roar of cheers broke forth from the crowd.
 In Pursuit Formation
 The four great birds drew rapidly nearer. Within few minutes the out line of each plane could be clearly dis tinguished. On they came, flying high in pursuit formation, obeying with wonderful unity the maneuvers of their leader. A faint droning noise from their engines could be heard.
 Out on the field prepared for a land ing place, north of the race track in the fair grounds, a score of people, chamber of commerce officials and po- lice reserves, watched the flierS anx- iously as they drew nearer. Nearby the special grade gasoline and oil, fur nished by Ws-J. Pope of the Union Oil company, asked for the machines, was waiting. Colonel Gully's police re- serves were waiting to keep the people back as the machines landed.
 Make Fine Landings
 Soon the planes were almost directly over the field, circling gradually down. ward. Necks were twisted to follow their movements. The leading plane spiralled down to within a few hun dred feet, like homing falcon looking for q lighting place, while the others circled at will, so as not to interfere with their comrades landing.
 After circling the grounds once, the plane turned downward to land. But it's speed was too great, and after ap- preaching to within 10 feet of the field scared up again. After another circle however, it tried again and this time came gently down on the field prepared for 1t.
 Field Is Small
 Here the close quarters of the field caused an exhibition of perfect control by the pilot. Instead of the 3,000-foot | field expected by the fliers, a field scarcely over 1,200 feet long had been provided. After coming to earth the plane ran on few hundred yards then turned sharply to avoid a fence at the end of the field and came to a | falN Tha To ", 1 Smith, commander of the squadron leaped out and the plane was speedily | wheeled to a position to one side, tc allow the other planes plenty of land i ing room.
 A few minutes later the second plane carrying Lieutenant Hubert Mclean as pilot and Sergeant Blanton as me chanic, followed Major Smith to the ground. It was wheeled over beside the first plane. The third and fourtf machines, bearing, respectively, Lieu tenant Albert Pyle and Sergeant Lewis and Lieutenant Robert Worthinghan and Flight Surgeon Major J. H. Me Kee, followed in succession. Lieuten- ant John Evans official photographer of the party, accompanied Major Smitf in the pathfinding machine.
 Crowd Surges Around
 Within an half hour after the frs plane had been sighted the entir, squadron of four machines was linet up on the field facing the grand stand while their pilots were congratulatine each other on perfect landings and ie moving their heavy flying clothes Members of the chamber of commerc, aviation committee were formally pre- sented to the aviation visitors to tn, city and the police reserves stretched ropes about the machines to keep bacl the surging waves of the crowd whicl pressed around to get a closer view c the machines and men.
 An uneventful flight, with the ex ception of slight mishap at Fl Cen tro,. was reported by Major Smith. I'm squadron of five machines left Rock well field, San Diego, at o'c.ocl Wednesday afternoon, a leaky tank be ing responsible for the delay Tn squadron arrived at Calexico, Califor nia, late in the afternoon and remaine, there last night, although one machine piloted by Lieutenant Bruce Johnson became separated from the others an, spent the night in Fl Centro In leav ing there yesterday morning it ran int telegraph post and was completel wrecked, the pilot escaping uninjured The latter will return to San Diego.
 Fly at 5000 Feet
 The other planes in the squadron di not leave Calexico until noon yester day, due to engine trouble. The, struck the Gila river at Yuma and fol lowed that course up to Gila Bend where the squadron left the river an cut across the mountains for Phoenix flying entirely by compasSe An alti tude of 5000 feet was maintained dur ing most of the flight, and the averag speed was 50 miles an hour. The high est altitude reached was 1000 feet an the fastest time, of 100 miles an houi was made between San Diego an Calexico.
 Major Smith reported little difficult in crossing the mountains and said thi city was located without any trouble : The fair grounds grandstand an fenced race track were sighted whil the planes were 20 miles distant Tn exact landing field was easily locate by the big canvas marker placed ther yesterday morning. Excepting delay . in getting started, the flight was de scribed as entirely successful. Squad ron formation was maintained through , out.
 Need Landing Field Here , "Thp thing yOu npODle ought f