New-York tribune., 1920-01-23
Air Marvel's
Seen at Paris
Exhibition
Absence of United States
and Liberty Motors at the
Aviation Fair Causes
Much Adverse Comment
New Types Are Shown
Lacoin Helicopter Among
Recent Invention; Speed
Of Aircraft Is Assured
Neto York I'ribu1ts
Forei0n Press Bureau

Ne,o York T'vibu,ts
Foreign Press Bureau
LONDON, Jan. 20.--"When it is re-
membered that aviation is undergo
ing It's most difficult crisis, the great
success of the International Aircraft
Exhibition at the Grand palais is very
significant" writes Major c. C. Turner
in "The London Telegraph" 1.-THE sit
alton is difficult, because the indus
try throughout the country has had to
weather the transition from the i'm
mense war business to no business at
all, aggravated by the fact that the
trade has been flooded with unused war
material.
many cases been started with made
quate organization, resulting in a GER
tain amount of rregularity, nearly all
OF which could be obviated tomorrow.
Lastly, in spite OF ell the inspiration
they afford, the big theatrical flights
lave undoubtedly taxed both machine
and Men unduly, with the result that
calaniitous failures have provoked Sc
we're but just criticism.
AT the exhibition, nevertheless, are
machines and accessories which, even
though they were never to be be sur
passed "a ridiculous assumption), i,
would. granted tbs existence OF or
gsnfsetioD, be capable Of giving thc
world tfs complete use of the air Tex
the transport Of mails and for certain
classes Of passenger carrying.
Aviation Future Secure
"And at the show The talk among the
shrewd and far-seeing men whose III
forests and money are in aviation is
quietly confident, and. with whole
,L~o ~
1t relates to remarkable developments
which are actually taking place quite
outside the ken Of the general public
For example, the London-Paris serv-
ices. interfered with as they have been
of late by fog, will in the course Of a
very little while be rendered more in
dependent of fog than are the land
and sea services. The men who are
behind them are not to be beaten. One
Of the chief dangers is the lack of
aerodromes between the Channel and
Paris. These aerodromes are now be
ing organized. Then there are such
velopment Of aerial transport in Brazil.
in China and in other countries.
No Miracles. Are Needed
"There has been too much talk Of
the supposed need for some revolu-
craft safe. At tho exhibition photo
graphs are shown Of the helcopter Of
Professor Lacoin and NJ. Demblac, for
further experiments with which the
French government have been granted
q sum of money. Far too much is
made OF the Importance of some means
for vertical ascent and descent. One
would not decry the helicopter prin-
Iciple; and it is interesting to note that
the Lacoin exhibit is not regarded as a
freak, as it would have been in 1918.
AT the same time it's complete sue
cess would not solve the most impor-
ing, und it is highly probable that, so
far as safety is concerned, more good
will be done by wise expenditure of
available means upon the provision of
frequent landing grounds, anu upon
the pcrfecting of the airplanc, rather
than upon the development Of an en-
tirely new type, which, at the best,
would have to go through many years
OF trial and experiment, with their i'll
evitablc toll of human life. When q
railway is built big capital is neces-
sarily sunk in it. Aircraft do not re-
quire 80 much capital; but the organi-
zation Of regular services must, in or
der to be successful, be literally
treated at the start.
British Well Represented
British aircraft construction stands
out IN Il most remarkable way, ut the
Paris show, as the best in the world
nc machines arc proved machines,
with big factors Of safety. No one
would suggest that they are unimprov-
able, but. at any rate. they have passed
| the Air Ministry's requirements Too
many OF the French machines have ap-
parcntly been built without regard to
the research and the mechanical devel-
opment of the last five years. Some OF
them border on freakishness, and some
of them are undoubtedly built to suit
that common type Of French pilot who
is willing to risk his life in tho most
appallingly callous way. There are
machines which make the British de-
signer shudder. AS TO craft with two
or more engines, the eager Parisians,
who have been hocking in vast numbers
and in really embarrassing crowds to
see this exhibition, have been quick to
appreciate the superiority OF the Brit
ish types, as regards comfort. elegance
of finish, capabilities and safety. The
Farman "Goliath" Is, perhaps, the best
of the foreign multi-cngine machines.
Blerlot's four-enginc aeroplanc is
not greatly admired, and the huge 1tal-
ian Caproni triplane, although it has
put up some excellent performances
does not compare Cat any rate, to the
British eyc) with our own machines.
In single-engine carriers, the Arco
and the Brceguet~craf which arc en-
gagged on the London-Paris service
attract a lot Of attention. 1t is ex-
tremcly interesting TO note that there
is scarcely machine in the whole
exhibition which is not fitted with
British -made tyres. or propellers, OF,
some other part. And there is an ex-
tremely small French machine. the De
Marcay biplanc, with l0-horsepowcr
A. B. c. (British) engine. In spite
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