Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-13
i. S. TO TAKE PART
IN SEAPLANE TEST
Association Makes Entry in
Blank for Schneider Cup
Race in England.

Although no American contender for
the Schneider Cup Race for 1929. to be
held in England late in the Summer
yet has appeared in the field, the on
test committee Of the National Aero
nautic Association, which is charged
with the official recording of all Ameri-
can ~aeronautical recoruS, has made
an entry. in blank, for the United
States, it was announced this week.
The Schneider contest is held an
nually to decide the fastest seaplane in
the world. The date and scene OF the
coming race are to be Announced soon.
Regulations for the contest provide that
each country ma be represented by
not more than three saaplanes and that
the entry must be made on or before
January /.
The contest committee. it was an
nounced, made an entry for the United
States in the hope that before the con-
test one or more s%eaplaneS would be
I constructed in this country having Suf-
ficient speed characteristics to justify
its appearance as a contender. 1t is be-
lleved that the winner OF this year
event will reach a speed of six miles a
minute or better.
The contest committee will not have
to name the seaplane to be entered in
the contest or the pilot who will fly the
ship until 80 days before the event is
held. Preliminary tests will form the
basis of the decision by the committee
as to the American entry, it was an
nOunced.
Williams Seeking Plane.
Lieut.. Afford j. Williams, noted Navy
speed pilot. is negotiating with the
Mercury Flying Corporation of New
York for a fast plane to qualify for the
association as an entrart, it is under
stood. Lieut.. Williams, in making these
arrangements, is acting as a private
citizen, the Navy Department having
announced that it will not be repre-
sented in the race because of the great
cost of preparing a plane which could
be used for no other purpose.
Lieut.. Williams is credited with an
unofficial speed record of 313 miles per
hour. He was forced to drop out Of
the Schneider race at Venice in 1927
because his plane could not be COM
pleted in time to qualify. He has been
at work for two years on plans for a
plane which would bring the coveted
trophy to this country.
A motor for the plane is being built
by the Packard Co, which constructed
a 24-cylinder engine for the 1927 plane,
il which Lieut.. Williams established
his unofficial record.
France, it is understood. will be rep
resented by four planes, three of which
will be official entries. Two of the old
est and best known French firms of
Seaplane constructors - Nieuport-De-
lange and Bernard-Ferbois-will be
represented. Their plans are secret, but
it is hoped they will be able to pro-
duce serious contenders for the cup.
One of the Nieuports probably will be
flown by Sadi-Lecointe, the great
French pilot.
Great Britain's plans for the race
are farther advanced than those of any
competing nation. -Four English pilots
have been in training for the event
for many weeks, working up to the
high-speed racers. which require more
than ordinary ability, on special train
ing racers.
Italy also is expected to make a
strong showing in the contest.