Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-12
AVIATION
BY JOSEPH S. EDGERToN.

TLYING torpedoes that will b
- directed by radio from
ground stations or air
a planes, are planned for ex
perimental purposes by the Arm,
Air Corps, according to Maj. Ger
James e. Fechet, chief of the All
Corps. The idea of the flynn
torpedo Is not new, but since tn,
close of the World War, there ha
been little actual progress in thi
direction.
The Air Corps is planning tt
build three experimental aerial
torpedo planes, Gen. Fechet re.
ported to the House appropria-
tions committee. For the pur-
poses of research, these planes
will be equipped with complete
radio control, but also will carry
q pilot.
Radio Would Be Used.
The planes will be operated as
much as possible by radio, but in
case the machine gets off its
course or out of control of the
directional equipment, the pilot
may take over the controls and
land the plane. In time of war
however, the pilot would not be
carried. The plane would be
loaded with explosives and di-
rected by radio against its target
Essentially, the torpedo plane
would be small and of the cheap
est possible construction, since its
usefulness would be limited tC
one flight. The experimental
types will be of more permanent
construction. The war models
would consist simply of wings
fuselage, control surfaces, con-
trolling mechanism and motor.
Early experiments, Gen. Fechet
said, show that some degree OF
radio control now is possible ur
to a distance of 90 miles. This can
be extended almost indefinitely
by mounting the control radio
apparatus in an airplane which
may control the flight of one OF
more Of the aerial torpedoes.
Damage Would Be Increased.
If the Air Corps is able to evolve
from its experiments a reliable
torpedo plane, it undoubtedly
would prove to be a weapon which
would make the Big Bertha gun
Of World War fame a puny arm
indeed. Not only would the range
be increased enormously, but the
accuracy would be improved and
the amount of explosive brought
to bear on the target would be
greatly in excess OF any explosive
shell charge known today.
The torpedo plane expert
mental work will be conducted
with funds provided for test and
experimental purposes, $875, 00C
having been provided under this
heading in the War Department
appropriation bill as reported to
the House this week. From this
fund the Air Corps will purchase
a number of experimental planes
Of various types.
Two two-Seater pursuit planes
a type entirely new in this coun-
try, are to be purchased. These
planes will carry a gunner in g
rear cockpit to protect the most
vulnerable portion of the stand
ard pursuit plane. The two-seater:
will form the top echelon in pur-
suit formations, to cope with enc
my pursuit planes attacking from
above and to the rear. and pre-
vent breaking up of the various
echelons of the pursuit. These
planes both will be constructed
around air-cooled motors and will
be designed for high altitude
work.
Cargo Plane to Be Tested.
Three new experimental type
observation planes and three ex-
perimental attack planes also are
to be purchased, Gen. Fechet has
reported. A single-engined cargo
plane also is to be constructed
for experimental use. This type
will be used solely for cargo pur-
poses, tri-motored ships being
used for carrying personnel.
Two night observation planes
are to be constructed for thor
ough tests to determine the prac-
ticablity of setting up standard
p1d1IC VI ILLS type 1OI use Ill IIle
Army Squadrons. These planes
will be especially equipped for
night flying and will be built fol
ease of landing, good visibility
and for the use of flashlight
parachute bombs.
The experimental funds will
permit the continuation of much
experimental work on parts anc
equipment, including chemically
cooled engines and controlled
pitch propellers. Approximately
100000 of the appropriation is tt
be used for testing engines, air
craft equipment and armament
items, including bomb racks, re-
lease mechanism.
Motors Are Redesigned.
The development of chemically
cooled aircraft engines, which ART
expected to result in great in
crease in the efficiency of pursui
and attack planes was delayed b!
the necessity Of redesigning tn,
motors to prevent leakage of thu
cooling compound, which work.
through cracks impervious II
water, Gen. Fechet told the com
mittee
IN the building Of a water
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