The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-01-10

first of Signor Caproni's models, a BIZ
plane with wing spread Of 70 feet, had
three engines of 100 horse power. The
latest Caproni, when tested at Mineola
on September % last, was furnished
with three Liberty motors of unknown
power. This plane made a speed of
105 miles an hour carrying five men
and 1900 pounds of lead.
Ocean No Barrier.
The transatlantic flight is, of course,
a matter for the navy department to
decide, but although he would not dis,
cuss possible plans for its execution
on this account MI. Curtiss said with
out reservation that the flight was
within the power of the Colossus.
Although reluctant to talk on this
subject MIR. Curtiss spoke at length
on further aviation and predicted the
commercial use of seaplanes for pas
senger and freight service between
ports along the Atlantic coast and the
West Indies.
"Of course one of the first develop
ments in commercial aviation will be
the use of flying boats and seaplanes
for passenger and package carrying
along the Atlantic coast and the West
Indies" he said. II believe we shall
soon have transatlantic flights. The
reason / believe this and that I believe
marine flying generally will be devel-
oped quicker than land flying is be-
cause no new landing fields are need
ed. In other words, terminal facfli-
ties are already provided, for quiet
harbors, rivers and small lakes are
ideal landing places"
Praises the Navy.
Mr.. CurtisS praises the navy depart
ment for its financial assistance in the
experimental work necessary for the
development of such a machine as the
Colossus. The America, built for Rod
man Wanamaker before the war, is the
progenitor of the Colossus and other
huge seaplanes, but there is a long gap
between them.
at probably will be two or three
years before the commercial side Of
aviation is developed sufficiently for
the industry to stand On its own feet"
he said. "The advent of the war made
necessary the construction of a num-
Der of airplane factories, some Of which
should and will be developed into good
nrn61nffnn nIanfo crnnnSn Tho nov
ernment's plan for national defense
will include a liberal allowance for the
continued development of naval and
military aircraft for reasons that seem
patent.
"a military plane, of course, is not
suited to commercial purposes any
more than a torpedo destroyer would
be suited for the carriage of passen-
gers or freight. The aim in the devel-
opment of military craft was to pro.
duce a fighting machine, one in which
a maximum amount of armament and
ammunition could be carried without
sacrificing speed, maneuvering abil-
ity and the protection of the pilot and
observer arising therefrom. To con
vert these military airplanes into com
mercial types of machines 1t will be
necessary to change the fuselage (the
framework connecting the planes with
the tail) somewhat so that there will
be more room for passengers and
freight, and probably increase the
wing surface to give the planes a low
er landing speed and a greater cruising
~fiexibility, so that 1t will not be neces-
sary for so much fuel to be carried.
Fighting ability was the paramount
issue in the building of military craft.
Safety is the keynote Of commercial
airplane building"
Europe Turns to Giants.
Gigantic planes are being developed
for after the war purposes in many
European countries, according to Mr.
Curtiss. England and Italy are par.
ticularly active In this respect. The
experience in building bombing ma.
chimes, which from the very nature OF
their work must have very reliable
power plants and a large weight car
rying capacity, Is now proving val
liable for peace purposes.
Several very long flights have beer
made during the war;" Mr.. Curtiss
said. II look to see European devel
opment proceed rapidly. Norway
Sweden and Denmark are all making
plans for commercial aviation, and
understand that they are on the verge
Of starting several mail routes as soor
as peace is assured"
Both land and water flying machines
will be within the province Of the
Curtiss company, the inventor said, al
though he himself is a stronger be
lever in the rapid commercial success
Of seaplanes rather than land flying