The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-03-29
2Y LOWELL NUSSBAUM
Times Aviation Editor
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ANNehaE III AhAadhdpUiths JUST completed.
by LOWELL NUSSBAUM
Times Aviation Editor
lndustrlally, Indianapolis has
kept pace with the remarka bic
progress made by the city along
other aviation lines in the last year.
Factories employ more than 300
men full time and plans under way
viii ere than double this number
il W months.
Most Of the industrial aviation
progress here has been along the
q lines Of designing and building air.
plane engines and parts.
Two local companies are building
and testing airplane engines, which
they expect to place on a produc-
ton basis within the year. Two
other companies are engaged in
building experimental engines for
governments and commercial firms.
Indianapolis is considered ex-
tremely fortunate in its develop
ment along this line, because of the
great demand in the industry for
satisfactory economical airplane en-
gines.
Many Will Collapse
There are nearly $50 companies
building airplanes. Many, it is pre-
dicted, will fall by the waySide, be-
cause they will be unable to obtain
satisfactory motors. The number Of
men equipped to build planes is far
greater than those able to design
good motors.
Very few airplane engines have
been approved by the department
OF commerce, in comparison with
airplanes.
Companies building good airplane
engines soon will be in an enyiable
position, because the plane COM
panieS will be forced to ally them
selves with these companies to as
sure delivery of engines. This
merging of allied companies al
ready has been demonstrated oy the
automobile industry.
The Allison Engineering Corpor..
alton, Speedway City, which has
been sold to new company formed
by Detroit capitalists, who plan to
double the size Of the plant and ca
pacity, is the largest local industry
engaging exclusively in manufacture
of aviation products.
Known Over World
The company now employs go
men.
Allison company is known inter-
nationally for its airplane design
ing and experimental engine con-
struction. It has designed and built
experimental airplane engines for
many foreign governments as well
as for the United States government
and commercial companies.
Several months ago the plane de-
y livered to Wright field, Dayton, for
army experimental purposes, a "a
cylinder, 1,500-horSe power, X-type,
air-cooled airplane engine.
In the last year the company has
reconditioned more than 1000 Lib
F.. erty airplane engines for the Amer
lean government.
The corporation holds exclusive
patents on a superior Steel-back
bearing which it manufactures. The
bearings are being used on all Lib
erty, Wright and Pratt & Whitney
airplane engines.
Another Company Busy
1t also makes propeller reduction
gears for planes, and has built
Superchargers for navy planes and
for the Peruvian government.
The indianapolis Tool and Ma
Chinery Company has thirty-five
men turning out various types of
gears used in airplane engines at
its plant, 2O5 West South street.
The company is expanding rapidly.
Work turned out by this concern
gives an idea of the precision neceS-
Sary in the aviation industry. Every
gear accepted has a high finish all
over which would do justice to the
handiWork of a fine jeWeler. Parts
are bored out to reduce weight. The
Sattny finish reduces friction and
cuts off rough spots which add I'M
necessary weight.
The. parts are made Of the high
est quality alloy steel, with unusual
heat treatment to get maximum
strength from the lightest pieces.
Chevrolet Aircraft Corporation,
l41 West Tenth street, headed by
Louis Chevrolet, now is testing a
four-cylinder, air-cooled, in-line in
verified airplane motor. which it eX-
poets to have in production within
the next year.
MerZ Concern Well Known
Merz Engineering company 937
North Capitol avenue, is known
throughout the country for its de-
signing and building of experimental
airplane engines. This company also
engages in competitive designing for
the government About twenty-five
men are employed in this work.
Experimental four and six cylinder
air-cooled, inverted in-line airplane
engines are being constructed by the
Arthur Chevrolet Aviation Motor
Corporation, 40 West Tenth street.
Thirty men are employed by the
company in building its expert
mental engines, and many times
that number will be employed when
the engines are placed on produc-
ton basis. probably in six months.
B. P. Prunk, president, is
enthusiastic over possibilities of the
incline inverted type of airplane
engine.
This type of engine gives greater
visibility to the pilot and permits
better steam-lining, making the