Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-05-10
~ COMMANDER HOLDEN G. RICH
ARDSON.
Pilot OF Nnynl tirptanc SC-I

Copyright 1919 by Universal Servicc)
NEW YORK. May 9.-while the
original conception of the navy's
great transatlantic Eulls" had i'll its
scope the possibility OF extended
Journeys over the sea and land. il cam
not hc maintained that the craft was
built expressly for this purpose. at
least not in the form now presented.
In the summer OF 1917 Rear Admiral
II. w. Taylor, chief of the Bureau of
Construction ana Repair. conceived the
idea of Scaplanc that would be sea-
In this idea was embodied the pro-
position OF a plane which could carry
Il good offensive equipment. bombs.
guns, torDcdocs or mines. and at the
same timc a sufficient armament to
protect il from attack by enemy planes.
This obviously required that it be
would he impract'cable to deliver
aboardship. 1t suggested also a pos
sihiiity OF proceeding TO Europe by
air. Burcau representatives consulted
with Glenn II. Curtiss and his as
sisan;S. who represented the appro-
pirate characteristics contemplated.
Covered Two Biplnnes.
the original characteristics covered
and the other with five. For use in
tho power plants of these planes was
contemplated the engine then, being
known as the Liberty motor" Both
o,isinai america type, designed for
Instructions from Rodman Wanamaker.
in that the hull was shortened and
tne tail surfaces were 10 be carried
on Gns TEfe a ms 6a OF an extension
The entire design involved the use
OF parts OF large dimensions, and the
development of details much larger
than ever had been undertaken prcvi-
than any that had been undertaken
abroad at that time, although the di
mansions of the 1landlcy-PaSc approx
mated those contemplated.
About the end of September, I was
called from duty at Pensacola. Fla. to
Buffalo to assist in developing details
unusual dimensions, the new arrange
mcnts and the departure from previous
practice. many of the details had TO he
determined by actual experimental con-
struCtions.
Difficult Problems.
The most difficult problems were the
denominations of the construction OF
TIC wing spars and the wing struts.
50 little definite information WIS
available as 10 the strength of ma
mcms Of material were possible that
the only way TO arrive at decision
was 10 construct experimental parts
and calculate their strength and vcri-
ton.
The use OF steel instead OF wood at
first appeared 70 offer advantage. but
II wIs soon found that steel structures
of equal strength could not be built
Tor the same weight rs wooden MEM
bers without serious difficulty in fab
rication or danger due TO corrosion.
As soon AS the approximate dimen-
sions Of the scaplanes were determined.
: scale model was built and tested in
the wind tunnel at tho Washington
Navy Yard. From the results OF these
tests the longitudinal and dircctional
stability were determined, as we'll as
the horse power and flight character
isticS. all Of which since have been
verified closely in actual practice.
The form of tho hull adopted is a
departure, iii that il has a beam OF
only ten feet and is SO constructed
that no ribs are used to support the
bottom planking. Both these points
pcrts and number OF American con-
StructOrS.
DOuom Proves Success.
II was their contention that the
bottom would tear apart at the keel
IN service. But Il Longitudinal system
OF support was developed on the prin-
ciplc OF the design of the bottom of
ponioons as designed by the Navy Dc
partment and no difficulty has been met
in its employment.
In the development OF these details.