Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-25
IEUT. AFFORD J. WILLIAMS,
the Nays outstanding pilot
and one of the worlds rev

the Navys outstanding pilot
and one of the worlds few
really great flyers, has had
n living companion these past Two
weeks-a personal demon OF BAD
luck who has been sharing cockpit
apace in the wicked little Mercury
racing plane, built to represent
fine United States in the Schnsider
trophy races, to be flown Septem-
her a and 7 at Cowes. England.
Time after time Williams has
attempted to fly the bullet like
little craft, only to have his EFFORTS
baked each time by trifiing mis-
haps which, in their accumulation,
have resulted In two of the bit
terest weeks in his distinguished
Hvine career. AS this was written
the fate of Williams project was
being settled by a battle between
his demon and time.
Adverse weather, falling gasoline
pressure, bent propellerS, waves:
boats crossing his course and bad
cockpit ventilation have conSpired
to defeat him at every turn. In
addition to the tremendous re-
sponsibility and worry OF his
position as pilot of the races,
Williams has been haraSsed by
financial worries in connection
with the project.
More than two weeks have
elapsed at this writing since Will
liarns brought the plane to the
Naval Academy at Annapolis.
During that entire period the ship
never has had a fair chance to
prove its wings, because OF the
chain of minor mishaps which
have grappled it to earth.
The racer, manifestly, is an ex-
perimental type. AS with every
experimental type, diftlcultles
were to be expected. With most
experimental planes, however,
these difficulties have imposed no
serious penalties. In Williams
case they have been paralyzing
burdens.
Acts Under Limelight.
I Every step Williams has taken
/ has been under the limelight. Be-
cause of the public interest In his
gallant venture, his mishapS have
been magnified beyond proper
ton. Were it not for the fact that
he is so sorely pressed for time
the delays he has suffered would
be of little moment. So far he has
encountered no difficulties which
cannot be overcome.
To those who have been at An
napolis during these two trying
weeks, the spectacle of Lieut.. Will
liams' gallant struggle against the
web Of circumstance which Is
binding him down has been an
oppressive and trying experience.
He is making one of the greatest
fights of a career which never has
been easy, and whether or not he
ever flies the racer he deserves
lasting credit for that fight.
There is something inspiring
about the whole enterprise. Since
the decision of the Navy Depart
ment more than two years ago to
withdraw from the Schneider con-
test, which is the worlds out
standing speed classic, Williams
has been preparing as an lndi-
! vidual to represent his country
against the world.
Alone. he has prepared to COM
pete with crack teams OF pilots
selected and trained by the lead
ing nations. These teams OF
pilots have unlimited backing and
plane after plane has been built
for them, until, by the trial and
rejection system, splendid ships
have been placed in their hands.
Against this picture of team
work and mass preparation stands
out that of the lone American
pilot and his epic struggle. He en-
listed the capital to build the
plane, gathered engineers and
mechanics and for several years
has devoted grinding hours. days
and weeks Of toll to the evolution
of the ship in which he has been
suffering such binding disap-
pointments during the past two
weeks.
Struggles Over Design.
There has been no opportunity
for trial and the gradual develop
ment of a plane proved in all its
parts. He has had to stand or
fall by one design. He and his
hackers have sweat blood over
every inch of the plane. Every
known theory of aeronautical
science has been applied to its
design and fabrication. Every
screw, bolt and wire is the result
of careful study and planning.
No matter how careful men may
be, however, contingencies will
arise in practice which cannot be
foreseen in the laboratory. No
plane, however successful it may
prove to be in the end, ever has
come from the shop in all its per-
lection. It has been the result Of
careful planning and building,
plus improvements dictated by ex-
perience.