Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-21
MAKE COMMANDMENT TESTS.
Experiments at Wright Field May Cause
Changes In Plans and Tactics.
BY JOSEPH 8. EDGERToN.
n u N1A1N311t ON
stan CorreAnondent of The Star

Stan Correspondent of The Star.
DAYTON, Ohio, August 2l.-Radical
changes in bombardment planes and
tactics may result from experiments
now being conducted by the Army Air
Corps at Wright Field, it was learned as
nine twin-engined bombers, represent
ing the three famous squadrons Of the
second bombardment group, Langley
Field, Va, arrived here en- route TO the
National Air Races at Chicago.
There is vital need for more special
lied types Of bombardment aircraft II
the interests of national defense are to
be served properly, in the opinion of
many of the officers in the lombard
n1enG sQuadronS. There must be light
bonnbers capable of great speed for use
on daylight missions. Employment of
the present-day Army bomber for this
work would be suicidal under conditions
Of modern aerial warfare, unless over
towering air defense were provided for
the big numbering planes against hostile
pursuit, it is argued.
At Wright Field, which is the base
for the Air Corps Material Division and
the scene of virtually all of the Army
fiight-testing work, there are in process
Of development light, fast bonbers
which, it is hoped, will meet the re-
quirements for day bombardment oper-
atoms. If the tests are successful the
Air Corps may begin field tests of a
type Of small bombardment plane rival
ing the stngle-seater pursuit planes in
speed, which may be employed with
some hope Of success for lightning-fast
thrustS against enemy strong points in
the daytime, when the planes cannot
hope for concealment but must rely
upon speed to avoid the guns of enemy
pursuit planes.
10OMile Cruising Speed.
Bombardment planes now used to
equip the Air Corps squadrons have a
cruising speed of less than 100 miles
per hour and are on a speed parity
with only the Slowest of the Nations
cargo and transport planes. They can
not hope to escape from hostile air.
craft by running away and must operate
either under cover of darkness or under
q cloud Of friendly pursuit planes capa-
BILE Of beating off an enemy air force
which may be sent against them If they
are to accomplish their missions eff
GENTLY. It is the contention of many
combat pilots that the United States
today is in a position of inferiority
among the nations in daylight lombard
merit Great Britain, France and Italy,
it Is pointed out, have developed small,
fast bombers of types for which this
country has no equivalent.
The nine bombers assigned to display
the latest advances in tactical methods
at the Chicago races landed at Fairfield
Air Depot near Dayton yesterday after
noon after flight of S hours and IS
minutes from Langley Field with a re-
fueling stop at Boiling Field, Washing
ton.
Followed Radio Beacons.
The first and last legs of the flight
from Langley to Boiling and from
Moundsville, w. Va, to Fairfield, were
made on radio beacon courses, which
might be duplicated in all parts of the
country by Department Of Commerce
civil airway beacon stations to guide
| military missions in case of emergency
through thick fogs, storms or darkness
The bombers are organized as a
| skeleton bombardment group COM
manded by Capt Henry Pascale, with
Capt. Frank Hackett and Lieut.. M. w
Beaton as the leaders of the second
represent the available force of the
second bombardment group which is tc
be entirely reoutfltted next Winter when
delivery to the group of SO of the --latest
type twin-engined bombers is to begin
The present planes are to 60 to Kelly
Field, Tex, upon delivery Of the new
| equipment.
Rain and overcast skies held thu
bombers at Fairfield this morning. TheS
are expected to clear for Chicago THU
afternoon or tomorrow morning