Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-07
TYPES Of AVIATION
CRAFT DEBATED
DirigibIes and Planes Topics
of Discussion in Transat-
IantiC Flight Talk.
BY j. c. ROYLE.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, June 7.-Whether
the future of transatlantic flying
rests with lighter than air machines
or an improved type of planes arons-
ed strong discussion today in avia-
ton circles.
Mai. G.. Herbert Scott. commander
of the British R-34-the first dirigihIe
to cross the Atlantic-Who is in this
country inspecting various flying
fields and airplane factories. declared
he pinned his faith unalterably to
the lighter than air craft.
Mai Scott, who is accompanied by
A. r. Gibbs, technical expert of Lon
don. and Sir Leader Shearer of the
Royal Canadian Air Force, described
the new dirigibles being built by the
British government for service along
the web Of air routes from London
to various points in the empire.
Each, he said, would have n capacity
of 100000 cubic feet of gas, carry
passengers and crew numbering 100.
and have a cruising radius of 5000
miles with a speed of 81 to 80 miles
an hour.
Packard Officials Silent.
Officials of the Packard Co. main
tanned a rigid silence concerning de-
tails of the new areoplane motor de-
Veloped by the companys engineers,
which is expected to develop speed
of 800 miles in planes adapted for
landing on water and $40 miles in
planes designed for flights over land.
This development, however, continued
a subject of wide discussion among
aviation experts
The Packard Co, it is understood
from we'll informed sources. has sole
control of the motor and is interested
in the concern which is developing
the planes in which it will furnish the
motor power. Considerable doubt was
expressed by the air engineers as to
the immediate effect on commercial
aviation of this motor. They feel that
for time, at least, it will find its
chief use as a military weapon. as a
stunt machine and possibly for fast
mail service.
None of the experts, however. would
hazard predictions as to the ultimate
usefulness Of the terrifically fast motor
until it has been tested in actual flight.
1t is understood among aviation men
close to the situation at the Packard
factory. in Detroit, that the plane to
carry the new motor is being built
somewhere on Long Island. All Off
Gals and engineers associated with
the enterprise are understood to be
pledged to the Naval Bureau of Aero
nautics not to discuss in detail this
new and startling development.
1T is my opinion" said one expert
today, that the Packard Co. has
something bigger in view that the de-
velopment of a mere sports plane"
Detroit-LOndOn Flight.
n V11o to-
Ing to expert engineers, is capable of
making the proposed nonstop freight
carrying flight from Detroit to Lon
don. The sponsors Of the flight, how
ever, hope to stimulate the building Of
such plane through their offer Of a
$4,000 prize for successful accomplish
ment of the flight. They would hazard
no guess as to whether the plane now
being built on Long Island would en-
ter such contest
Meanwhile, nearly every flying field
In the country today was a scene of
boiling activity. Every passenger car
rying ship seems to be fully booked
with those eager to journey by air and
the business of Transporting express
by plane also has increased. Existing
flying fields are being enlarged and
plans are being made for additional
air ports.
The English aviators here indicated
they would not draw on the supply of
helium gas to fill their dirigibles. Mai.
Scott indicated hydrogen would be
used in the British government di-
rlglbles, but said danger Of explosion
or fire had been minimized by elimina-
ton Of gasoline and the use of oil
burning engines of the Diesel type.
The supply Of helium at present is
barely sufficient for the United States
Army and Navy balloons.