San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-09
PLANE FITCH rs
T0SUPP[EMENT
BALLOON RACES
Added Events Planned as
Attractions During
April Meet.
SHOW VARIOUS SHIPS
Tentative Program for
Elimination Balloon
Races Made Up.

A tentative program Of heavier
than-air races and other events plan
ned by the San Antonio Aeronautic
Association in connection with the
National Elimination Balloon Race to
be started from Kelly Field, Wednes-
day April %, was announced at the
luncheon of the association in the red
room of the st. Anthony, Saturday.
in each of which ships of differ
ent type will compete and to the win
ners of which a 500 Liberty Bond
will be given. All Of the races are
to be three laps around a 15-mile
triangular course. the ships turning
a pylong or stage in front d the
grandstand.
The first race planned is between
three Sperry Messenger plans from y
o'clock to 9:45. Three Martin
bombers will compete in the sec
ond race between 0:45 and 10 20 five
Spads in the third race between III ~
and Ito: five DeHayilands in the
fourth race between II: 10 and ii 100
o'clock and five s. L. ga planes IN
the concluding race between o'clock
and 1 40.
A ground exhibit of aeronautical in
struments and aircraft will also lie
shown. Various types of planes, en-,
gines, propellers, wing sections and
tools will be displayed.
Have Huge Aerial Review.
It is the intention of the associa-
ton to stage a huge aerial review at
which a half million dollars worth
of equipment will be in the air at the
same time.
The eighth and latest entry in the
balloon race received by the associa,,
ton is that of the Goodyear Tire and
Rubber Company. which applied Sat
urday morning. Their balloon will be
piloted by Ward L. Van Orman,
aeronautical engineer, employed by the
Goodyear Company.
Mr.. Van Orman was motor IN
structor at the Naval Air Station in
1917 and 1918. He then became dir
igible and free balloon instructor at
the same institution. In 1919. he en-
tered the employ of the Goodyear
| people. He holds licenses as pilots
| of both dirigibles anti free balloons.
The entry of the Goodyear Com
pany makes a total of eight balloons
| that are practically certain to start
| in the race. Most of the entries have
been completed. but there are some
| details yet to be settled in the case
| of one or two of the entries. The
pilots of the three army balloons have
not vet been named.
| Plan Preparation Of Balloons.
Details pertaining to the prepara-
| ton of the balloons for their flight
were discussed at the Saturday lunch,
con. 1t was announced that 1000
drums for securing hydrogen from
Houston to be used together with
oxygen in filling the balloons will bt
shipped to Houston within the nexi
day or two. Another thousand drum:
will be sent later for more in order
| that a plentiful supply of lifting pow
er may be oh hand for the balloons
| Pipes for filling the balloons witt
gas will be furnished by the Gray
burg Oil Company. according to DR.
+. L. Thomson of that Company
All the fittings that are necessar!
probably will be borrowed within tn
city and the Public Service Com
pany's men will fit the pipes. Al
attempt will be made to have thes
pipes rugged up or at least on tn
ground a week or two before the race
start.
Want Souvenir Program.
The discussion on a novelty souve
mir program for the races involve,
feasible means for making it self sus
tanning. no allowance having beer
made for such a program in the bud
get of the association. 1t was de
cided that advertising would be so
licited.
The program being considered con
tains sixteen pages, the cover o
which has an artistic design in dar
blue and orange. Within the cover
there Will be a roster of the San An
tonic Aeronautical Association,
roster of the committees in charg
of the races, history of balloons,
write-up or short history of the par
Elephants, together with the contest
ants pictures, traffic data, program
of events with explanations, picture
and descriptions of airplanes, a ma
/ of the United States and Canada an
international aircraft records.
The number to be printed and othe
details will be decided upon at tn
| -.-t x,,ont;no xrbar Mai n " prour