Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22
NAVY MAKES GAINS
IN UTILITY PLANES
New Craft Developed at Phil
adelphia Show Many War
lime Advantages.

For t1le past several weeks bulletins
have been flashing out OF the naval
aircraft factory at Philadelphia, each
one carving the news that the world
records for flying boats have been
established by one or the other OF TWO
XPN-12 aircraft and while they nave
not been as startling or SENSATIONAL as
the records recently made abroad. they
have given the Bureau of Aeronautlcs
definite assurance that 1t has developed
a. standard utility airplane that Is
better than any in the world To-Day. -,
"XPN-12" Experimental Patrol
Navy-built and the 18th of a series
of that type) by these RECORDS loI
duration distance closed course. speed
and load-carrying has demonstrated
that In time of war 1t can perform any
one of the following feats, according
to naval aviators:
Pacific Trips Possible.
Fly continuously for SO hours carry
ing no military load, but having on
board two pilots, mechanic and raoio
operator. This would make 1t possible
to reach Hawaii from the West Coast
or Panama from the naval bases at
Norfolk or Philadelphia without snip
escort as the huge, strong hull is sea-
worthy as demonstrated by the PN-9,
commanded by the late Comdr. Jonn
Rogers, who drifted with his crew Tor
nine DAYS in the Pacific Ocean follow
ing a forced landing Naval alrnlen
feel that not one but squadrons OF
these flying boats could take on TO-
gether for such long distance 1lgnts
II their presence were needed at either
of the two far-away places.
Fly continuously for is hours and 50
minutes carrying load OF more IMAM
two tons of munitions. ordnance. OF
fuel and supplies for other planes In
need in addition to two pilots. me-
chanic and radio operator. which dura-
ton represents an airline distance OF
nearly | 400 miles. Throughout the
l6io-hour duration fight with the load
of 1000 Kilograms, or 4,400 pounds, the
XPN-12 averaged SO miles per hour.
Once a maximum duration record
without military load has been estao-
lished in a standard airplane tree from
trick or freak construction. naval
air authorities can estimate the mill
tary performance for duration and dis
lance flying with various loads run
ming from 1000 pounds, above and be-
vond the weight of the crew, incidental
equipment and fuel up to 1000 kllo-
grams or more than Two IONS. Inc
bigger the military load the greater the
inroads on the fuel supply and the
shorter the airline distance and dura-
ton. The smaller the military load
the greater the cruising range, 1t Is ex-
planned.
Use Air Cooling.
Thus a FN-l2 with no military load
could fly to Hawaii and upon arrival
there Immediately assume military
role, either as long distance patrol
craft for the islands, staying aloft from
dawn to dusk, or as bomber with a
load of deadly explosives and cruising
period I'D to l6ia hours.
The records made at Philadelphia by
naval test pilots on duty at the fac
tory we're brought about. according to
airrnen ON duty here, by the substitu-
ton of two lightweight air-cooled
engines for the two heavy water-cooled
type previously installed in each patrol
plane while the present air-cooled
ones we're in the final stages of de-
velopment The two high-powered air.
cooled types now competing with one