The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-02-23
WORLD FLIGHT
PLANSARE
MADE
Major Martin Confident Of
Success In Earth circIIng
Air Journey.
By LIEUT.. JESS KRUGER.
Cosmopolitan News Service.

Cosmopolitan News Seevice.
RANTOUL, ILL.,, Feb. 3d.
Major F. L. Martin heads west TO-
day for his "hop-Off" in the United
States Army's round the-world
airplane flight.
From now on Major Martin and
the seven others, who are to make
the SO,OOO-mile journey through
the air, viii hold the attention Of
the world.
Sees No Chance to Fail
A successful flight means restora.
ton OF Americas somewhat
shrunlen afr prestige. And Major
Martin can sec no chance for failure
Chicago is to be one Of the stop.
ping points. This news was i'm.
parted by Major Martin just after
his arrival from Langley, Va,
where he has been receiving special
instruction for two months. 1t had
been originally planned to omit
Chicago from the Tiers route, going
further south.
The major left for Chicago last
night with Mrs: Martin after a
stirring farewell from members of
his former command at Chanute
field. He was to be the guest of
Major and Mrs. Frank Rainey and.
AT Nom tndov 10,anH1 kLn
venturers' Club where President
George Lee was to propose him for
membership in that exclusive organ.
ization.
Il will leave Chicago tonight for
Los Angeles, where our Douglas
planes have been shipped" declared
Major Martin.
There l will be Joined by other
members Of the expedition and on
March 15 we hope to leave for
Seattle Tor the first stage of the
Journey.
Cutters to Patrol Lanes.
AT this city we will have the
engines of our planes changed and
pontoons attached and depart almost
Immediately for Alaska for the 800.
mile flight across the Pacific to
Japan.
Two coast guard cutters will be
designated to afford US some protec.
ton during the Pacific ocean jump.
Radio stations will also give us the
important data as to weather condi.
tons.
'"The chief danger during the
eight-hOur trip over the ocean is in
sudden mists, when our planes
would lose sight Of each other and
might miss the bearings and be-
come lost.
I'VE have no means Of com.
munication with each other while
in flight, the equipment being re-
duced to an absolute minimum for
the sake Of speed.
Our planes are capable Of a
ground speed of seventy-five miles
per hour, which can be increased
or decreased. according to the d.
rection of the wind. They carry
$50 gallons q gasoline and can re.
main in continuous flight for. four.
teen hours.
Land At Boston.
Returning over the Atlantic we
will probably land at Boston and
proceed to Washington and land at
Chicago enroute to our starting
point on the west coast.
II expect the trip will be ended
in September, there being no desire
on the part Of the army to make a
speed record.
IAN Of the flyers have been in
rigid training and are in fine
physical trim and have every con.
fidence that the flight will be an
entire success
The four planes in Major Martins
squadron will have as their pilots
or mechanics Lieutenants Lowell
H. Smith, Leigh Wade, Eric Nelson
and John Harding, jr.; Technical
Sergeant Arthur n. Turner and
Staff Sergeants Alva o. Harvey and
Harry Ogden. Lieut.. L. D. Schultz
and Leslie C.. Arnold will act as
alternates.
Smith, Schultz and Arnold accom-.
panied Major Martin to Chicago
and will depart with him.