South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-15

the plane depends upon the effiCien
Also the fulfen its functions as
scout this plane OF the future must
be able 70 communicate at all times
by radio. When the NC-3 was
forced down west Of the Azores with
Com. John II. Towers. flight com
rnander aboard. she became dumb
As a scouting unit her value 10 a
fleet was lost from that moment
Whatever her commander might
have learned OF vital importance 10
the fleet commander could not have
been transmitted.
The answer to all OF these re-
quirements in the minds Of the ex-
perts spells larger craft; veritable
flying ships. The vision toward
which the designers are looking is
that Of flotillas OF seaplanes. rely
ing ~holly upon their own power
for transportation on the surface or
in the air and operating from swift
mother ships" as submarines and
destrOyers now operate.
Growth Will he Gradual.
These conclusions will be written
into new designs gradually AS bat
tleships have developed from 1000
ton predreadnaught 10 the $4,000
ton monsters for which the navy is
now contracting, so naval officers
say. seaplane evolution will come
type by type and year by year. each
advance being based on results OBJ
tanned with preceding types. This
is the 2 -ogram laid out by the navy
departr ent as the basis for the re-
quest recently made to congress by
Secy' Daniels for $4,000. geo for av-
iation development in the next fis-
cal year
Part OF this appropriation, If
granted. will go into lighter-than-
air development. The general board
is expected to recommend immediate
purchase Of a British rigid dirigible
for personnel training and the con-
struction OF a similar vessel on
American designs as pilot ship OF a
fleet OF air cruisers. The purchase
Of the British Zeppelin" would per-
nit the training of a crew 10 handle
the first American craft when COM
pleted.
Change Dirigible Plans.
The navy department is said 10
be ready TO proceed with Zeppelin
construction on its own plans when
ever congress grants authority and
appropriations The ship. il is un-
derstood. would not be patterned
exactly on the British notifications
OF German Zeppelin construction.
The discovery OF non-com bustible
helium gas 10 initiate the bags is
said TO have pointed the way 10
some radical changes in design. De
tails OF what is contemplated. how
ever. have not been disclosed
Naval experts point out that in
both seaplane and dirigible develop
ment one OF the most important ele-
ments 10 be considered is that OF
getting efficient power. The Liberty
motors have proved highly salts
factory so far as endurance goes on
the transatlantic flight but nc
means have vet been evolved 10 get
fun benefit OF their power. The
problem is tho same as that encoun-
tered with steam turbines in sur
face craft. The efficient engine
speed OF any gasoline motor now
known is too high for efficient pro
peIer speed. Connected direct to the
engine shafts. the propellers revolve
so rapidly that the length and pitch
OF the blades cannot be set so as &c
obtain all OF the lifting power the
engine could furnish
Work on New Gear System
The navy has been working for
months with a reduction gear sys-
tenn 10 go between the engine and
the propeller. 4 similar device has
permitted destroyers 10 use turbine
engines. but il has found a difficult
task 10 design a lightweight reduc'
ton gear for seaplanes and Other
aircraft Should this device b,
worked out. the y G.. seaplanes
could be made much more efficient
and their cruising radius be greatly
Increased.
A. 20 the sea-kecping qualities Of
the Ne planes. the experience o.
the NC-l and Nc indicate L,
experts that some way must be founC
20 get the plane higher surfaces
higher OUT OF water. This would
save them from battering into IN.
sea when riding the surface. :
nonoplane type flying boat is beinl
experimental with Shich may de