The Sentinel=record., 1918-06-22
TIME TO CROSS ESTIMATED
TO TAKE FORTY HOURS
Predicted That Liberty Driven Air
planes Will Be Crossing the Allan.
tic in Fleets Next Summer-Sea-
Plane Will Be First Craft to At
tempt the Flight.

Washington, June 21.-Establsh-
ment of an air route to Europe from
the United States to bring the full
force of American effort in the air
to bear against Germany has been de-
cided upon as a definite project by
the British air council, the new or
ganization into which all British air
service has been merged. That was
disclosed today by Major General viii
liam Brancker, controller II equip
ment of the council.
Plans for an initial flight across the
Atlantic in August, September or Oc-
tober of this year are already well ad-
yanced. American cooperation is
sought and General Brancker homes
the first machine to make the cross
ing viii carry both British and Amer
ican pilots.
Several types of machines produced
in England have ample fuel capacity
for the forty hours of flying, it Is es--
timated the trip would take.
The attitude Of the American gov
ernment toward the project has not
been disclosed although General
Brancker laid stress on the fact that
the sole purpose of the trip was to
blaze new trail to Europe over
which American aircraft can be de-
liyered without taxing shipping.
Presumably it arises from the fixed
Of Dwg4 f.-a
carry the bombing warfare into Ger
many on a steadily increasing scale
until not a vital spot in the German
empire is safe from allied raiders.
Secretary Baker said no army avia-
tors had yet been assigned to work in
conjunction with the British. Sue
cessful navigation of the air to Eu-
rope is ITO be hope for, he said, but no
definite plan to attempt it is now be-
fore the government officials.
Many officers believe 1t would ne
wise to inject an element of friendly
rivalry into the effort to be first to
make the flight. They argue that
since the real value of the plan de-
bends the ability of American built
night bombers and American pilots
to cross the ocean, the initial effort
should be partially at least an Amer
ican enterprise.
The point made by General Branck-
er favoring the employment of Brit
ish equipment for the venture is that
the new Rolls-Royce $50 horse pow
er engines have proved reliable
enough practically to insure no diff
Guilty from this source. The general
was certain Liberty driven night
bombers would be crossing the ocean
in fleets next summer.
A sea plane carrying at least 75C
horse power viii be the first craft tc
attempt the flight. Until arrange
ments have been made for the touch
ing OF the aeroplanes en- route. land
ing there for re-filling will have tc
be made In the harbor. The trip al
now projected would start from Brit
ish soil in New Foundland, touch al
the Azores and again in Portugal ant
conclude in Ireland. probably to b,
resumed after overhaul to Frame
This is not the shortest route, but {
Is thought to offer better advantage,
as to weather.
The governing factors OF the flieh
were given by the British officer a.
engine reliability. navigation, ant
weather forecasts. The probable lost
OF machines enroute. could he mint
mized, no believed when the weather
forecasts had been ftily worked oul
land flights wepe started only when q