The Washington times., 1919-04-06

It Is believed that the journey could Be
made without difficulty.
Several weeks ago Lieutenant Fontan.
Of the French aviation corps, started out
for French Africa, where a base has been
set up at Dakar, Senegambia. he was to
have made start from there with his
immediate objective Pernambuco, Brazil
The distance between the two cities Is
about the same as that between st. Johns
and the irish coast He was compelled to
delay his trip on the first lap due to a
cracked cylinder in one Of the motors
Lieutenant Fontan may also prove a for
midable aspirant for transoceanic honOEs.
The United States win have more than
one iron in the fire in the race to Europe.
-Four mammoth flying boats viii comprise
the squadron for the trial II any one
should become disabled another may be
readily substituted. These machines are
now at the air station at Rockaway point
and mechanics are working in twenty-four.
hour shifts to get them in readiness.
The N. C.-Navy Curtiss-1 Is the model
that win be used. Besides this there are
the N. C. 2, the N C. and the N. C. 4,
under construction. Contrary to the
schemes Of the other nations. our naval
authorities have provided against any con
tingency which might arise en- route. The
route selected starts at Hampton Roads
Va, thence to Bermuda and from there to
the coast Of Ireland The total distance to
be covered is about 5000 miles. The first
lap is 600 miles and the second $500
miles.
In order to prevent abandonment be
cause Of insufficient fuel, torpedo de-
stroyers will be sent out and anchored
along the course Of the fight. These will
be spaced about 200 miles apart With
this plan in operation refueling would be
a matter Of a few minutes, and of couse
greatly decrease the danger to pilots and
crew should the aeroplane be forced 70 de-
scend to the water
All four types will be equipped with
three 400-horsepower Liberty Motors each
turning separate propeller. The n C. 1
when constructed had provisions for fifty
passengers in addition to crew. Her live
load capacity was then figured at four and
one-half tons and she carried fuel for q
cruising radius Of thirteen hours
This passenger capacity has now been
converted into fuel space The Liberty
Motor consumes .55 pounds Of gasoline
per hour per horsepower. Therefore, its
cruising radius will be increased some
fourteen additional hours, giving a total
of twenty-seven hours. 1t is said that
other notifications have been made which
will enable this model to carry enough
fuel for a nonstop flight
These types have an air speed Of ninety
miles an hour, but by taking advantage Of
taVoring air currents the speed can be
increased to considerably more than 100
miles per hour. Experts are Of the opin-
lon that a continuous fight can be made
In any event, the plan for mother ships
LOT refueling will obViate any difficulty on
this score.
The N. c. during the past four months
mas become a familiar sight about New
York and along the coast line. and this
particular flying boat will have the honor
OF starting out as the representative of the
Ohlteu states. Commander John H Tow
ers, VINO has charge Of all arrangements,
mas already appointed Lieutenant-Com-
nanaer Patrick n. l. Bellinger, U. S. N,
to pilot the transocean boat.
The wing spread of the N. C. is 126
Ieet lnenes rom tip to tip. The wings
are twelve feet wide. Three two-bIaded
propellers Of the tractor type are used.
The N. e. has total of three propeIlers.
one pusher and two tractors, while the No.
model has three Of the pusher type.