Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-25
GREATEST AERIAL
REVIEW SCHEDULED
Battle Fleet Squadrons Of
100 Fighters at AnaCos-
tia May "a.

The greatest aerial review ever held
on the Atlantic Coast is to be feature
of the Curtiss Marine Trophy races to
be held at the Anacostia naval air sta
ton the afternoon of Saturday, May "a,
1t was announced today. All the avia-
ton squadrons from the battle fleet,
comprising 100 fighters, observation and
torpedo and bombardment planes, are
to be concentrated at the naval station
and Boiling Field, the first time such
a concentration has been held anywhere
in the United States except on the Pa
ciflc Coast.
The squadrons, regularly stationed on
the three Navy aircraft carriers, the
Lexington, Saratoga and Langley, prob
ably will fly here from Hampton Roads
the morning of May "a, and will be
parked by squadrons on Boiling Field
until the time for the review prior to
the start Of the races at about pm.
SquadrOns Pass in Review.
AL the squadrons will pass in review
over the AnacoStia station In close
formation, taking of from the field in
three-plane sections and forming In
squadrons at designated points over the
city and nearby Maryland and Virginia.
The sight of 100 planes in the air at
one time, In close formation, will be one
such as the National Capital never has
seen. according to Navy officials. This
will be more than three times as many
planes as were seen in the aerial re-
view held In connection with the in
auguration OF President Hoover.
there will q
demonstrations of formation flying by
one of the famous Navy fighter squad
rons, probably either the High Hats
or the Red Rippers," both on duty with
the battle fleet.
The High Hat" Squadron is said to
be one of the most famous military
squadrons in the world 1t gets its name
from the squadron insignia, a cleaning
silk topper" painted on the fuSelage of
each plane. For demonstration purposes
the High Hats specialize in q forma-
ton fight in which the planes of each
OF the three sections composing the
squadron are tied together with ropes.
Planes Tied Together.
Three planes compose each section
The plane Of each section leader is tied
to the two planes of his section by So
foot length Of rope. Tied together in
this manner, the entire squadron takes
of in formation and goes through an
intricate program of formation flying
including simple acrobatics, eliminating
in a series Of nine-plane loops. They
land still tied together.
The High Hats" perfected this bit of
demonstration flying as a part of their
regular training for military formation
work while on the West Coast. It never
has been seen on the Atlantic Coast
though the demonstration was one of
the features of the national air races In
Cleveland last Summer.
The Red Ripper" squadron, though
not so well known here, Is said to have
developed demonstration maneuver as
sensational to watch as that of the
High Hats" Either one Of these noted
sQuadrons may be called upon for q
special flight on May "a.
Picked Pilots to Compete.
Picked pilots from the squadrons are
nual seaplane and flying boat classic
the Is years history of the event, In
the opinion of naval authorities. The
entry list, now comprising 20 planes, is
the largest ever received.
The Anacostia Naval Air Station will
hold open house" on the day of the
races, with Comdr. A. H. Douglas, COM
mandant Of the station, and Lieut.. j.
j. Clark, executive offlcer, acting as
hosts to the public. Reviewing stands
and grandstands are to be constructed
on the station, in front of the start
ing and finishing line for the races.