Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-04-06

IL is believed that the journey could bel
made without difficulty
Several weeks ago Lieutenant Fontan|
OF the French aviation corps started oud
for French Africa, where base has beei}
set up at Dakar, Senegambia. He was Id
have made 4 start from there with hid
immediate objective Pernambuco, BRAZIL
The distance between the two cities isl
about the same az that between St Johnsl
and the Irish coast He was compelled I'd
delay his trip on the first lap due 10 Al
cracked cylinder in one OF the motorsI
Lieutenant Fontan may also prove for|
midable aspirant for transoceanic honorsl
The United States will have more than
one iron in the fire in the race to Europel
-Four mammoth flying boats will comprisd
the squadron for the trial. If any ond
should become disabled another may BID
readily substituted. These machines ard
and mechanics are working in twcnty.four)
hour shifts to get them in readiness.
The y. C.-Navy Curtss-l is the model
that will be used Besides this there ard
the ~ c. 9, the N c. 3 and the y. c. Al
under construction. Contrary to tho
schemes Of the other nations, our naval
authorities have provided against any conf
tingency which might arise en- route Thd
route selected starts at Hampton Roads,
Va, thence to Bermuda and from there To
the coast Of ireland. The total distance I'd
be covered is about 600 miles. The first
lap is 600 miles and the second 1000
miles.
In order to prevent abandonment bel
cause OF insufficient fuel. torpedo del
stroyers will he 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
matter Of few minutes. and o: couse
greatly decrease the danger TO pilots and
crew should the aeroplane be forced 20 de
scend 10 the water.
Ali four types will be equipped with
three 400-horsepower Liberty Motors. each
turning separate propeller. The n. G.
when constructed had provisions for fift!
passengers in addition 10 crew. Her live
load capacity was then figured at four and
one-half tons and she carried fuel for a
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 tota
of twenty-seven hours. II is said tina
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 o.
iavoring air currents the speed can BIZ
increased to considerably more than 10t
miles per hour. Experts are OF the opin
ion that continuous flight can be made
in any event, the plan for mother ship.
for refneling will obviate any difficulty OF
this score.
The N. c. 1 during the past four months
has become familiar sight about New
ork and along the coast line, and Thu
particular flying boat will have the homo
or starting out as the representative of tn,
United States. Commander John II. Tow
ers VINO has charge of all ARRANGEMENTS
Eas already appointed Lieutenant.C Com
mander Patrick n. l.. Bellinger, U. s. N
10 pilot the transOcean boat
The wing spread Of the ~ G.. is 10,
feet inches from tip to tip. The wing.
are twelve feet wide. Three twobIade,
Prope!lers or the tractor type are used
me \. Z. has total Of three proneIlere
one phsher and two tractors while the No
model has three Of the pusher tyno