Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-09-15
Planes Given Thorough Over.
hauling Sunday at McCook
Field After Jump from
Washington - Com. Smith
Confident of Ultimate Sue
cess - Anxious to Hurry
Schedule - Pleased Over
Boiling Field Reception

Dayton. Ohio, Sept. 10y A. P.)-
Weather conditions permitting, the
American world fiers will leave here at
10 o'clock tomorrow for Chicago, their
next stop on the trans-continental
eight. Lieut.. Lowell II. Smith. fight
commander, announced today. 1t had
been planned not to leave until Tues
day. but McCook Field mechanics work
ed all night in relays and completed
overhauling the planes.
A new engine was installed In the
Boston IL. Lieut.. Leigh Wade's plane.
and the engines of the flagship Chicago
and the New Orleans were overhauled
completely and serviced.
The motor removed from the Boston
was put in at Langley Field and the
plane flown to Nova Scotia and Pictou.
Lieut.. Smith. who damaged the tail
skid OF his plane while taking off yes
terday at Boiling Field. Washington.
received the part by train today and
repairs having Eeen made on 1t there.
Lieut.. Kncip. naval attache at Nc
Cook Field. and Lieut.. Wright. advance
men for the world fiiers, arrived here
this morning from Cumberland. Md.
where they were forced down yesterday
because of low-hanging clouds and fog.
They spent the night at Cumberland.
Both started out in advance of the
globe girdlers. and kneip was going
to Join the three planes at Moundsville.
W. Va. i'm his tiny navy plane. which
he is testing for composition fuse
lage. Kneip said he bucked the clouds
and fog near Cumberland for an hour
/ and a half but finally had to give up
and find a landing.
There is no doubt in the minds of
any Of the fliers as to the ultimate sue
cess of their trip. Lieut.. Smith said.
He declared their only thought is to
get TO Seattle as soon as possible.
without running any chances.
The aviators were agreed. they told
newspaper men today. that the most
! impressive part OF the whole journey
WAS the welcome they received at Boil
ing Field. Washington. 1--WE never
thought or expected the president to
meet u.s." Lieut.. Smith said.
Praise for the Liberty motor with
which the planes have been equipped
throughout the flight was expressed to-
day by Lieut.. Smith. who said the
fight demonstrated conclusively that
they are "wonderful motors" All of
the engines used in the ships" were
made during the war. he said. Two
improvements developed at McCook
Field. an electric starter and an adj
! vanced ignitian system. were given
their first tests on the flight. Smith
disclosed today. He said they nave
functioned perfectly.
Saturdays Flight
DAYTON, O., Sept. 13.-(By A. P.D
Lieutenant Lowell II. Smith and
his world-girdlng fliers were in the
homes Of their friends here tonight
after tumultuous welcome when
they landed at McCook field at 33''
p. NJ, completing their 420-mile hop
from Washington.
The first long leg Of their trans
continental flight which Will end IN
Seattle was covered without incident,
Lieutenant Smith said. The flight
time was six hours and 40 minutes.
The fliers will! remain here until
Tuesday, according to the flight com
mander, who said that new engines
may be installed in two OF the
planes. The airmen will work All
day tomorrow on their ships. -,
Dayton. birthplace of the arr
plane" spared no pains to stage
real home coming celebration for
the six aviators
It was a genuine homecoming Tor
Iieutenants John Harding and Erik
Nelson. for McCook field is their
home station. Lieutenant Lelgn
Wade also was stationed at the feld
two years ago and all of the hiers
have scores Of personal friends at
McCook and Wilbur Wright neids.
McCook field is the army aViatioh
experiment station.
The aviators, escorted by con,
voy Of 10 planes from the two Ioeal
acids. Including the Darling Bomber.
the worlds largest airplane. were
sighted over the eastern edge of the
CITY at 5.25. Flying in their famous
"V'' formation, they slowly circled
over McCook field as thouasnds
watched them dipped earthward
while all sorts of noise making de-
yi6es sounded welcome.