Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-03-14
FIRST FIGHTING
SEAPLANE READY
Is Equipped with Liberty Motors
Has Been Tried Out
and Accepted.
BIG FLEET TO FOLLOW.
Output Of These Planes Will Tax Ship
ping Facilities before July,
Ohlcinls Say.

Washington. March 13.-America's first
fighting seaplane equipped with Liberty
motors has been tried out and accepted.
1t was learned tonight, and n number Of
the craft are now being delivered for the
use of the naval air service. They are the
advance guard of big fleet which will be
added to the forces engaged in submarine
hunting In the war zone.
second type of fighting plane for the
American army known as the Bristol
model also has now reached the produc-
ton stage and considerable number will
become available during the present
month. Still another type. n two-seated
machine, also is being manufactured.
CONSTRUCTION details of these planes have
never been published. 1t is known, how
ever, that the seaplanes are substantially
similar to the British flying boats and are
equipped with two Liberty motors. which
provide approximately 700 horsepower.
This is understood to be much in excess
of the power used in similar British craft.
Engineers Of the aircraft board now
have overcome the last minor defect
of the Liberty motors. having to do
with the fabrication system. num-
ber of motors taken haphazard from
the quantity production supply have
been operated continuously for many
hours without any troDuie.
Officials are satisfied that the output
of fighting planes will tax shipping IA
cilities before July when delivery in
quantities in France has been sched
uled. Already a problem of caring for
the planes on the other side is one to
which General Pershing's staff is giv-
ing serious thought.
Those produced in the United States
81
equipment to be provided under con-
tract through the French and British
government There are indications
that these foreign contracts also are
not up to the original schedule Of de-
livery. No details are available, how
ever. as to the actual number Of ma
chimes that will be turned over to Cen
eral Pershing during the summer.
The success of the Liberty motor is
known to have attracted the attention of
both French and British air service Off
cials and both governments have had ex-
perts in this country studying it's con-
struction and methods of quantity produc.
ton employed. 1t is anticipated that a
large ntmber of foreign planes. partic-
ularly British will be using Liberty motors
during the present year.
Meanwhile American engineers are de-
VOtlnS themselves 10 n study OF the motor
to be used next year. which undoubtedly
win show very considerable increase
In horsepower over the present IL cylinder
model There is now time for careful study
Of the various types Of motors and a
decision as to the machine to be made the
standard for 1919 will not be necessary be-
fore July.
More powerful motors will be needed for
machines to carry such an armament rs
General Pershing has proposed. In re.
sponse to an inquiry some time ago as tc
gun power of American fighting planes
General Pershing recommended at least
two heavy and two light machine guns
adding:
I'VE should anticipate the use Of three
Vickers synchronized guns and three
Lewis unsynchronized guns on every air
plane"
To carry out such a program larger
planes would be necessary and 1t is the
Judgment of oficials here that fighting
aircraft will increase constantly in siz'
| and armament.