Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-03-14
Output Of Aircraft Expected to
Tax Transportation FaciIi-
ties Before JULY Motor De-
feCtS Overcome.
POWERFUL MACHINES
WANTED BY PERSHING
Would Have FIiers Equipped
With Six Machine Guns,
Three of VickerS' and Three
Lewis Type,

rsr MORNING JouaSAL ssseiAl Lsssss ~rssi
| Washington, March 13.--Americas
first fighting seaplane equipped With
Liberty motors has been tried out and
accepted it was learned tonight, and
number of the craft now are being
delivered for the use of the naval air
service. They are the advance guard
of a big fleet which will be added to
the forces engaged in submarine hunt
ling in the war zone.
A second type of fighting plane Tor
the American army known as the
Bristol model has reached the pro-
tluction stage and a considerable num-
ber will become available during tho
present month. Still another type. u
two-se machine, is being manu-
featured. .....t
Construction details of these planes
never have been published, 1t is
known, however, that the sea planes
are substantially similar TO the British
flying boats and are equipped with
two Liberty motors, which provide ap'
proximately 700 horse power TO driva
the ship This is understood to bo
much In excess of the power used in
similar British craft and their per-
formance is expected to be proper
tionately better.
Motor Defects Overcome.
In this connection it was learned
shat engineers of the aircraft board
have overcome the last minor defect
of the Liberty motors. having to do
with the fabrication system A num-
ber of motors taken haphazard from
the quantity production supply have
been operated continuously for many
hours without any trouble develop
ing.
Officials in close touch with prog
ress being made on production OF
fighting planes in this country are sat
'isfied that the output will tax ship
ping facilities before July, when de-
livery in quantities in France has been
scheduled. Already problem or
earring for the planes on the other stda
lis one to which General Pershing's
staff is giving serious thought ,...
Foreign Contracts Are Slow.
Those produced in the United States
are in addition to the fighting AVA
ton equipment to be provided under
contract through the French and
British governments. There are in
dications that these foreign contracts
also are not up to the original sehed-
bile of delivery. No details are avail
able. however. as to the actual mum
ber of machines that will be turned
over to General Pershing during the
summer,
The success of the Liberty motor -
known to have attracted the atten-
ton of both French and British ar
service officials and both governments
have had experts in this country
studying It's construction and methods
of quantity production employed. it
is anticipated that large number
of foreign planes, particularly British
will be using Liberty motors durinS
the present year. steps were taken
here recently TO expedite the delivery
of motors for British use.
Greater Horse Power Next Year.
Meanwhile. American engineers arc
devoting themselves to study OF the
motor to be used next year which un-
Goubtedlv will show very consider
a BILE increase IN morse power "Nel N''
present twelve-cylnder model De
cision as to the machine to be marie
the standard for 1919 will not be nee
essary before July.
More powerful motors will be need
ed for machines to carry such an
ornament as General Pershins has
In RESPONSE 10 an inquiry
some time ago as to the gun power
of American fighting planes, General
Pershing recommended at least two
heavy and two light machine guns.
adding:
eve should anticipate the US" OF
three vickers synchronizcd gyms ara
three Lewis unsynchronizcd guns o.
every airplane."
To carry out such a program larger
planes would be necessary and u .
the Judgment of officials here tha'
fighting aircraft will increase con-
stantly in size and armament,