The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-06-30
WHY BRITAIN WON
THE "ONE HOP

Captain Alcock and Lieut.. Brow n.
who were the first men in the world
to cross the Atlantic Ocean through
the air in "one hop" by heavier
than-air machine, or in any other way
in sixteen hours and twelve minutes.
do not themselves. perhaps. fully re-
alize the tremendous importance of
their daring accomplishment. Not only
have they fulfilled the dream of man
kind since the beginning OF. time. but
they have proved possible. and opened
the way to the greater progress and
advancement Of aeronautics for the
benefit Of the human race and civili-
cation.
It is most interesting to note the
very positive first remark OF Captain
Alcock, to the effect that flying boats
are the right craft to cross the ocean
with" and his success proves that
flying boats of the NC type. if equipped
with reliable and dependable magnetic
ignition. which Captain Alcock IA
vored can also cross the Atlantic in
"one hop"
Recent official tests made with the
Liberty engine specially fitted with
magnetic ignition, but otherwise the
same as used on the NC type of sea
plane in their transatlantic flight,
have shown very decided increase
of power. efficiency and economy OF
fuel. and it is possible some flying
tests with this form of ignition will
| be made in the near future.
/ Captain Alcock's Vicker's-Nimy air
plane had magnetic ignition. and his
Rolls Royce engines. which are not
superior in any other way to the Lii
berty engine, propelled his machine
the entire distance without mishap al
the continuous rate of 1870 miles ar
hour
Captain Alcock also said he believ-
ed that within the next twelve months
| flying boats will be travelling between
England and America with passen'
gers. and remarked that he drove
most of the way with his throttle but
half open. to nurse his engine anc
save fuel" The magnetic spark en-
abled full power to be obtained from
this lean mixture so that he arrived
with 900 gallons OF gasoline still II
his tank sufficient to take him all the
way to London.
With flying boats such as the NC
THE trip could have been just as easily
made in lone hop" in better time thar
1.-THE trip made by way of Azores. Also
lit is stated, that had NC's ! and
been magnetic equipped, they would
by means OF the greater ana Hior'
relia BILE power have been enabled Il
/ reach Horta or Delgada.
The London Daily Telegraph say:
of the fight: ut does not eclipse the
glory of the America achievement, bu
that Is because there is no question
of an eclipse in these matters, as there
is no question OF jealousy.
The London Mail also refers to the
"supremely planned organization o
the NC-4's record passage"
/ Commander John H. Towers OF th'
NC-2. said: 'It Is a splendid feat"
/ Commander Read. Lieut.. Com
manders Little and Richardson, ant
all OF the American aviators. expressed
the greatest admiration for th'
achievement OF Captain Alcock.
Henry Woodhouse. Vice-Presiden
of the Aerial League Of America. said
TOO much cannot be said OF the re
liability Of the motors used in thi
fight. which combined with the skill
and daring Of the aviators and thu
reliable Instruments for navigation
opened an entirely new epoch in aero
nautics and permit planning the use
Of airplane transportation over Ions
distances, where the tremendous speed
OF airpIane can solve difficult prob
lens OF transportation.