The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-30
THE SEAPLANE THAT CARRIED FIFTY PEOF
RECENTLY.
Air Experts All Over the World at
Work on Plans and Huge Planes
Will Soon Be Winging Over the
Sea-Three Contestants Expected
to Use Liberty Motors in Effort

The British have dirigible-a balloon
with motors for propulsion--which
has already been given trials to deter
mine it's probable success in trans
atlantic fight. 1t is, of course.
lighter than air machine. Should it
cross the Atlantic the real fight con-
test between heavier than air ma
chimes which actually fly and do not
float would still be open and unde-
cided. 1t is that contest upon which
the interest Of fiers the world over
is centred.
The Italians may be depended upon
to produce a machine which will fly
across the Atlantic and no doubt they
are very nearly ready 10 make the at
tempt. In such a fight the problem
OF carrying enough weight in the
shape Of crew and supplies is the main
factor. Caproni was the first man to
experiment with the heavy weight
carrying ship. and for a while he had
undisputed sway in that field,
The new super Caproni must be
very nearly finished. Photographs have
been shown of it's enclosed cabin de
luxe and other features. How many
motors il is to have and what wing
spread. however. are details that are
not yet ascertained over here. The
Italians, when they projected trans
atlantic flight before the war, intended
TO ship their plane to this side and
make the trip home. That was be-
cause the prevailing winds favor
flight from west to east.
New Idea in Aircraft.
Naturally. l am inclined to believe
that the plane which l am to pilot
will have n good chance TO win the
cross ocean prize. II it meets the eX-
pectations of it's designer, Mr.. Herr
man, the Atlantic flight will be an
easy thing. 1t should be able to fly
twice the distance without stop. 1t
is now being assembled at Langley
Field and will be ready for trial within
q month. However, 1t is constructed
according to an entirely new idea and
valuable time may be consumed in
getting it into satisfactory working
order. 1t is called multiplane. and
it has seven sustaining surfaces. These
are arranged, you might say, in ranks
There are pair of planes in front.
three abreast in the middle and two
in the rear. The planes are so ar
ranged that the wind streams from
each section will not interfere with
the lifting power of the other sections.
The machine will have Ave Liberty
motors-three tractors and two push
crs. Two engines will II is believed
sustain flight; three certainly. The
extreme wing spread, in the centre
section, is ia feet.
There can be very little difference
in the plans of the various contend
ers for the cross ocean prize. Crews
will be composed Of FIVE, six or posi-
bly, seven men. There will be a navi-
gstor, a PILOT. one or two reserve pi-
lots. two mechanicians and radio
operator. Our multiplane will have
crew OF seven, but we shall have
three mechanicians and only one re-
serve pilot.
A landing on the island of New
foundland would undoubtedly be made
for the purpose of taking ON final sup
plies and making the trial trip across
as short as possible. But in theory.
and very likely in practice, within
year or two It will not be necessary
to fly between the two nearest points
Of America and Europe
Weather conditions will have every
thing to do with the success or failure
of the flight ] should say, rather,
that only phenomenally unfavorable
conditions can make tho effort a fail
ure. If the aviators make good
guess, or If the Weather Bureau makes
it for them. the thing will bc positively
easy, If the weather doesn't turn out
to be Just what was expected but Is
not continuously and completely UNI
favorable success will be attained. It
will take something exceptional in
the way of weather TO bring disaster.
In the order Of their comparative
importance the conditions to be con-
sidered are wind, clouds, fog and moon.
The first is Of vastly more importance
than the others. The Temperature
need not be considered at all Most of
tthe flight will probably be made at an
altitude where it is bound to be cold
anyway.
To make II clear TO readers who are
unfamiliar with the practical condi-
tions of aviation must attemnt an