Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-13

OOntlntlHu lIOtil It III - aSS'y
hergh by Lieut. Harry Dinger. wht
had charge of the actual preparation
concerning the plane. Maj. Burwel
and Comdr. Wick scrutinized the re
ports carefully and Col. Lindbergf
without dramatic gestures declared
softly. II think I'll go.
Both the Army and Navy air com
manders appeared elated over the
prospect of the weather along the
route.
Not so much were they concerned
about conditions in the daytime, but
as they affected the route between
Montgomery, Ala, and Tampico or
TuXpam, Mexico, which will be GOV
cred after dark.
The colonel moved about the cot
tage quietly assembling his few per-
sonal effects in a knapsack and get
ting his flying clothes in order. Maj
Clarence NJ. Young. director Of aero
nautics of the Department of Com
merce, who represented that depart
ment in the plans for the flight, ar.
rived and gave it as his opinion that
today's weather conditions were the
best that could be expected for the
next few days.
While he was packing his bags Col
Lindbergh. had many Interruptions by
telephone call from persons desiring
his presence at social functions here
and, although preparing for what any
one else would regard as a perilous
journey. he displayed his characters
tic patience, chatting for several mo
ments with each caller and expressing
his regret over his inability to accep!
the invitations as the fight project
was taking so much of his time.
When 1t was definitely determined
that take-off would be attempted
Maj. Burwell telerhoned the engineer
Ing hangar, at the extreme south end
OF Boiling Field, to have the plane
filled with warm oil and warm up the
engine. Col. Lindbergh then gathered
his effects and entered the car of
Grover Looming. prominent aircraft
manufacturer. along with Maj. Young,
Mai. Burwell and Comdr. Wick. They
drove to the engineering hangar, where
Col Lindbergh made minute inspec
ton of the principal parts OF the ship
and stood by interestedly as the en-.
CINE was warmed up.
The "Wiriwind" engine sang out a
tune satisfactory to the ear of the
colonel and then, donning a pair, oil
knee boots and accompanied by Capt
l.. G. Muller of Boiling Field, he
struck out for the middle of the soggy
field. Then he paced the entire length
of it. dropping the flags at the points
he felt he should be in the air in order
to negotiate safe take-off. BY the
time he arrived at the northern END
Of the field, the Spirit of st. Louis
had been towed along the driveway
facing the hangar and out into the
soggy field to d point designated by
Col. Lindbergh for the take-off. a
score or more strong.armed enlisted
men pushed the plane under the super
vision of Maj Burwell. who guarded
the wing tips against striking OBJ
structions along the roadside.
Makes Final Inspection.
The plane was turned around with
the nose pointing south. A small
crowd had gathered, but its size did
not interfere with the last-minute
preparations. A favorable wind from
the south, upon which Col Lindbergh
relied for assistance in getting away
blew steadily, and the pilot, oblivious
to the hundreds of eyes upon him
walked about his plane. giving it a
final inspection. Owing to the STRAIN
brought against the fittings by the
detail of men who pushed It up the
wet field. Col. Lindbergh and Sergt
Roy Hooe, In charge of the detail OF
mechanics who put the plane in ex
cellent condition, went over the vita
parts of the machine, hammering and
humping them with their hands.
Col. Lindbergh then went to the
right.hand door of the fuselage and
removed the pane of glass. An Army
car had brought his flying togs up
to the plane and he climbed in, put.
ting on n fur-lined flying suit over his
dark gray business suit and substitute,
ing helmet and goggles for the felt
hat he wore. His food supply of four
sandwiches, two canteens OF water
and a package of concentrated food
scheduled to last him a week then
was put in and an additional TO
gallons of gasoline poured into the
tank, maxine a total of 365 gallons,
or more than 2,100 pounds of load.
Fifteen gallons of oil were carried.
As last minute operation Sergt.
Hooe CREASED the rocker arms on the
nine aircooled cylinders and every
thing was in readiness to depart.
w nile ne I1lOtGu dDOut
arations a mesi-circle of still and
moving picture cameras had formed
and the photographers were anxious
for pose Smilingly obliging the
he stood beside the door
of the plane with Maj. Burwell and
posed while they yelled at him to do
dozen different things at once:
Colonel Tunes Up Plane.
Maj. Burwell had requested the
photographers not to rush him for
close.ups or otherwise make him
nervous by begging him to pose. and
the photographers carried out their
end of the agreement.
The tall pilot climbed into the
closed cockpit surrounded by his
knapsack and food. There was not
room for another article or object of
any sort. and regardless of the atti-
tude the colonel may have had con-
corning a parachute. 1t appeared ply
sically impossible TO carry one along
at this time.
A mechanic stood at the propeller
and yelled Contact" to which the
Colonel replied. Contact" and then
ground rapidly at the booster. !"
The engine failed to catch and the
operation was repeated, succeed
ing the second time. and the motor
roared forth at 1921 o'clock. Maj