Smyrna times., 1931-05-27
THE GREAT AIR PAGEANT
672 q. S. Army Planes to Fly Over
Washington on May 30th


will be heard over the National
Capital on Saturday, May 80. On
that day at one time six hundred
and seventy-two airplanes will be
in Washington skies taking part in
the spectacular maneuvering nee
essary to try the ability of the
Army Air Corps as the air de-
fender of the nations chores. For
this is duty that has fallen to
the Army as result of recent con-
ferences of military air leaders.
The Greater National Capital Com
mittee, organized to intensity in
terest in Washington and it's his
toric environs, has issued state
ment saying that never has there
been a more opportune time for a
visit in Washington. For a week
beginning Sunday, May "a, the
great airplane force will be up and
down the Atlantic Coast. During
that time it will be assumed for
testing purposes that the country
is in state of war. But the grand
finale will take place in the sky
amphitheater of the nations cap
ital. All who are in Washington
that day will observe a spectacle
unequalled in the history of the
United Sttaes. 1t is of interest
that this greatest of all air page
ants may be witnessed with the
minimum of inconvenience. The
! Traffic Bureau of the Washington
4 police has given assurance that the
gigantic display may be seen with
equal satisfaction from any part of
the city. There will therefore be
no reason for crowding or for traf-
/ fic jams. But in order to be doub-
4 ly sure of convenience and the
maximum of safety Washington
and Boiling Field traffic officials
are holding conferences to work
out the best general traffic regula-
tions for the day" A great deal
has been printed about the coming
epoehal event. The following es-
sential facts are briefly presented
for the purpose of clarifying the
minds of those who have been too
busy to follow the detailed plans
in the newspapers: "On May 80 the
4 u. S. Army will concentrate over
! Washington the greatest air force
ever seen in this country 672
4 planes in the air at the same time
Even in close formation the Army
of the Skies will represent a
column stretching distance Of
more than twenty miles. The man
euvers will call into existence every
available plane except training
planes which are useless in time of
war. Pursuit squadrons, those es-
sential units in battle, will come
from Michigan and California; OBJ
servation units, the eyes of the
army, will come from New York
and from every National Guard
Division area in the country; bonn
bardment squadrons, the heavy
artillery of the heavens, will arrive
from Virginia and from the Pa
cific Coast; attack planes from
Texas and cargo and transport
planes from many army posts.
The combat ceiling Of pursuit
planes two years ago was 21,000
feet. Today these planes can
climb and fight to distance Of
10000 feet Two years ago their
high speed was 165 miles an hour
Today it is 195 miles an hour. This
great air force known as the First
Air Division will have 205 pursuit
planes; 335 observation planes; 81
attack planes; SO bombardment
planes, and 45 transport and cargo
planes. The personnel is TAO Of
ficers and 631 enlisted men. The
division will be commanded by
Brig. Gen. Benjamin D. Foulois,
Americas first military airplane
pilot. Are the aerial defenses of
the nation sufficient to Withstand
the fiery ordeal of a national en-
ergency? The answer should be
known when the maneuvers have
been finished. Not only will those
who come to Washington see
the most magnificent exhibition OF
its kind in history but also they
will, if the hopes of army leaders
are fulfilled, gain the conviction
that it is to the skies they must
look for future safety" Says the
Greater National Capital Commit
tee, concluding its statement, New
er has there been such a chance to
enjoy the capital. Washington al
ways beautiful has attractions that
are peculiar to Spring time. The
parks, pleasure grounds and gar
Gems are verdant with vari-colorec
flowers and the wide avenues are
lined with banks of green foliage
A visit to Washington on May 81
will mean a day of wonder, excite
ment and pleasure.