The New York herald., 1921-01-23

mission is impossible without the anti-noise
microphone.
BY the use Of the radio compass the GB-1
will be able to scout at great distances
from control stations" and find her way
with the precision of a homing pigeon
through the thickest fog. This device con-
sists of set of revolving coils mounted in
the tail of the machine. Thousands of turns
of enamelled copper wire pick up electric
waves" until the radio signals obtained by
the two systems of connections are of the
same strength.
BY the direction of variation the operator
is able to deduce the direction" of the
signalling station and by reading the posi-
ton of a pointer on the scale of the coils the
bearing of the station can be determined.
Without leaving his place in the machine
the radio operator then telephones the
bearing" to the navigating officer and using
the same system Of intercommunicatng tele-
phone, the navigator can direct the pilot to
make necessary changes of course.
In the same manner the navigator may
inquire of the engine room regarding the
condition of the engines or he may hold
conversations with navigators on other sea-
planes or destroyers. In other words. the
intercommunicating telephone makes possi-
BILE constant conversation between all MEM
bers of the crew and with the crews of other
craft, despite the terrific noise caused by the
motors and the rush of wind and in spite of
the fact that they are located at considerable
distance from each other
Radio compass signals may be received
from destroyer at distance of a hundred
miles or from large land stations at a dis
tance of a thousand miles.
Entire Radio Equipment
Weighs Only 400 Pounds
The regular receiving apparatus on the
seaplane will permit of the reception of mes
sages from land stations of high power at
distances Of several thousand miles. An in
teresting feature of the radio apparatus is
that the entire equipment weighs only 200
pounds.
Living quarters for the crew of the GB-1
will compare very favorably, experts say.
with those on board a submarine. Men
off duty will have ample space for rest and
sleep and the great carrying capacity of the
ship will permit the slowing Of adequate
supplies of food and water.
From the generators ordinarily used for
the radio apparatus sufficient electric cur
rent can be derived for heating the COM
partments in inclement weather and for
operating electric cookers, upon which cof-
fee can be made and hot food prepared.
AS the craft would ordinarily carry an
extra crew, all hands will be enabled to work
in shifts or watches, thus relieving the tre-
mendous strain incident to long flights.
There will be double steering apparatus. so
that one pilot may relieve the other without
necesstating a landing.
Special Control Device Takes
Much Strain From the Pilot
Much Of the strain of plotting will also be
removed by a special control device. which
will replace the "stick" found in ordinary
aeroplanes. This steering engine" is said
to be as great an Improvement over the old
method as the modern steering apparatus OF
warship Is superior to the wheel OF the
old fashioned "windjammer."
The GB-1, like the first of the NC type
of aircraft, is regarded by naval officers
an experiment. Her designers are con-
fident that she will do all they claim for her,
but they admit that trial. and trial alone,
will demonstrate her real capacity.
I'VE know in a way what to expect of the
GB-1," said Capt. Craven, chief of the
Aviation Bureau, but she may have bugs
which will have to be eliminated The build
ing of this craft is in line with the Nays
general policy Of leaving nothing undone in
its efforts to develop aviation 70 it's greatest
perfection.
Many persons thought the limit of con-
struction had been reached in the N C type
Of ships. There are others who assert there
is practically no limit to the size OF air
craft. The only way TO prove what actually
can be done Is to experiment
when the GB-1 is finished there will
be plenty Of opportunity to experiment with
her and draw deductions for future con-
struction from the facts developed In those
experiments"
Though the GB-1 is not designed espe-
cially for battle purposes, as were the NC
craft she will undoubtedly be able to do