The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-05
TEXAS WILDCATS MISHAP.
Why an American Entry Kept Out Of
the Gordon Bennett Air Race.

To THE New YORK HERALD: In your
account of the Gordon Bennett races APP
pears statement to the effect that de-
/ fective construction of the landing de-
Vice of the Texas Wildcat was respon-
sible FOR the mishap which prevented
Rohlfs from flying in the race. Inas-
much as this might be construed as be-
ing something which We overlooked in
the building of this machine We would
like 10 submit the following:
The usual factors of safety were used
in building up the design and the ma
chine was constructed strictly in accord
ance with the best engineering practices.
Shock absorbers were omitted from the
landing gear in order to make the ma
chine more safe for landing on a smooth
field. their absence preventing the posi-
billy OF the machine jumping into the
air ut q speed lower than that required
for the wings to support the structure.
On the completion of the machine II
was flown by Roland Rohlfs repeatedly
on Roosevelt Field. No trouble was ex
perienced in any Of the landings under
various conditions Tests were COM
were shipped to France.
1t was not until the Cox-Curtiss crew
actually arrived in France that they
learned of the condition OF the Etampes
Field which had been chosen by the
French club for the race. Immediately
a protest was registered through the
Aero Club of America against the use OF
this field. as 1t was not only far below
the average French field but was OF an
improper shape and in m exceedingly
rough condition.
The getaway had TO be made on a
course only o00s feet wide and, 1t is said
less than three-quarters of mile long.
The field was covered with hummocks
and deep burrows which amounted to alb
solute Instructions TO any light landing
gear on a fast machine. At the same
time that the protest was made the Cox
Curtiss crew secured Villa Coublay Fly
ing Tield for their setup and initial
tests. hoping against hope that the Aero
Club of France would make the sug-
gested change and offer TO hold the race
under conditions commensurate with a
safe contest
Fearing lest their protests might not
be successful. the machines were recon-
structed in order to slow Up their land
ing speed in the hope that the entry
could be adapted at the last moment to
the unusual conditions presented. BY
working the crews day and night alter
atoms on one machine were completed
two days before the race; Rohlfs flew II
on the villa Coublay Field, found that
it balanced perfectly and that 1t landed
satisfactorily.
One OF the provisions OF the contest
was that the competing machines must
be on the starting field twenty -four hours
before the race, and It was for this rea-
son that Rohlfs flew the machine from
villa Coublay to tho Etampes Field. in
which flight he made over 100 miles an
hour, even under the reconstructed con-
ditions It Is probable that In this flight
Mr.. Rohlfs did not use the limit OF his
power.
On reaching Etampes he brought his
machine 70 the ground and, unfortu-
nately, one OF the wheels struck hum
mock and collapsed: Rohlfs was thrown
out and slightly injured. The landing
speed OF the machine as reconstructed
was not excessive, in fact not so fast
az that required of a fast scout in mill
tary service.
II was deemed inadvisaole. IN view OF
the known condition Of the field. to at
tempt to fly the second Cox-Curtiss entry
on the Etanpes Field. as II has been the
policy OF the Curtiss Company never TO
encourage any type Of flying which could
be considered unsafe.
The failure Of the Cox-Curtiss entry to
fy the race was due entirely to the Sc
lection by the French club OF an I'M
proper field from which to start. NO
criticism could possibly be made OF the
engineering or construction work OF this
machine which. we have every reason 10
believe, is the fastest airplane ever puiit'
cuRT1ss AERoPLANE AND MOTOR COR
poRATroN.
GARDEN CrTY. October 4.
crc DIT DyTnYA TED