South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-15
DOUBLE OUTPUT
OF AIR MOTORS
Allied Governments are Urging
Early Delivery of u. S.
Special Engines.

WASHINGTON, May 15.-Amer-
lean built liberty motors may first
reach the fighting lines in France
driven by French and British air
scouts. 1t was learned last night that
urgent requests from the allied gov
ernments for early delivery of the
American engines have been receiv-
ed and are being met. Shipments
have already been made TO Great
Britain and there are limitations
that Gen. Pershing approves divert
ing additional motors TO meet French
and British requirements, even if
further delay TO production of Amer
lean scouts results.
The British government, it is
said, after careful investigation of
the engine by a special expert sent
over for that purpose. has been
pressing steadily for some thousands
of motors to be delivered for use in
British machines. The French ex-
perts, at first somewhat doubtful of
the liberty motor are now asking for
and will receive engines by July 1.
Difficulties with Overheating alleg-
ed in a letter from Louis Cammen.
read in the senate yesterday to make
the liberty motor useless, are de-
clared authOritatively TO have been
overcome. Radiator trouble was
encountered particularly when ma
chimes which had been operated
successfully in northern attitudes,
were taken south for tests. These
have been corrected. il is stated, and
the lubricating system of the engine
improved to the point where no fur
Their trouble on that score is antici-
pated.
Will Double Output.
To support their view that the
day of delays in aircraft production
are over. officials point to the fact
that last month saw liberty mo-
tors delivered in hundreds and TO
present indications that the output
will be more than doubled this month
and steadily increased thereafter.
The output last month, as far as
known here, was greater than that
of any foreign motor with the pos
sibe exception of one 100 hOrsepOw-
er type used in France. No high
power motor approaching the lib
erty $50 figure was within sight of
the American output. 1t was TO
reach that end in quantity produc-
ton, it was declared, that the liberty
motor was designed
Another phase Of the dispute
about the success Of the liberty mo-
tor promises to be settled soon by
actual trial. That is its availability
for use in single seated lighting ma
chimes. Two machines Of this type,
one a seaplane. have been designed
and built in this country and will be
ready for final trial at an early date
They represent the first efforts ever
made seriously TO place such high
power on the single seated. short
winged speed machines
Difficulty Faces Designers.
The difficulties facing designers in
building liberty fighters is TO get
them back TO the ground safely. il Is
explained. There is no question as
TO the efficiency of the motor in
volved The problem is one OF wing
surfaces angle of attack in fight
to insure stability and Of low speed
which would permit safe landings.
The best foreign fighting craft
like the Spads use from $50 TO $50
horsepower motors. Their light
weight makes it possible for the
small wing surface 10 hold the ma
chine in the air at a comparatively
low rate Of speed. decreasing the
anger Of landing smash-up. IN at
tempting 10 use the 500 pound liber-
y motor for this work, the safe
minimum speed Of the craft increas-
es and the difficulties Of landing
safely increases proportionately
There were several developments
to-day in the aircraft situation
John D. RYAN, director general Of
production for the army and chair
man of the aircraft board. made his
first directing move by announcing
the appointment Of Archer A. Ian
don, vice president Of the American
Radiator Co. OF Buffalo. y. Y. 70
have charge of the production divi-
sion
Preparations also were made for
launching the senate military COM
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