Evening star., 1931-12-15
Curtiss Trophy Contest
Would Take Place of
Schneider Cup Event.

Hleet VI AleIndIiOldl cnaTacteT, uAVlny
as It's climax high-speed race for the
Curtiss trophy, has been decided upon
by the Contest Committee of the Ma
| tional Aeronautic Association, 1t was
announced today.
AS an added incentive to the building
| OF special racing seaplanes for Curtiss
competition, the committee has de-
cided that a minimum total prize
| money of $4,000 shall accompany the
trophy. There was no cash prize Of
| fered with the Schneider trophy, which
| became the permanent possession of
| Great Britain last September after
years Of international competition.
Todays announcement is regarded as
, OF the greatest Importance to American
aviation, in view Of the struggle now in
| progress to regain for this country its
| lost position in high-speed aviation.
Competition for Event Is Keen.
| Not only has Congress authorized
special appropriations for a high-speed
program for the Navy, but the Thomp-
son Trophy race for landplanes has
stimulated development which has
wrested from France, although unofi-
cially, the world speed record for land
| OF North America have united to form
Sl6,000,000 speed foundation. and the
new Curtiss Trophy plan will enable
them TO enter great international
| competition.
Although the National Capital for
| years has been the scene of the Curtiss
Marine Trophy race up to this year,
when the race was not held. the CAPITAL
may lose the honor of staging the first
international meet for the trophy.
Although the plans for international
competition became public only today,
1t is understood that discussion of them
among officials of the National Aero
| nautlc Association, which has custody of
! the trophy, have led to keen competition
lor the proposed international meet.
ASSOCIATION officials in California and
Florida chapters already are showing
great interest in bidding for the event.
NOW that public announcement has
oeen made of the plans, officials of the
California and Florida State bodies of
the National Aeronautic Association are
expected to begin the organization Of
large civic groups to sponsor the race
and build 1t up to Schneider Cup i'm
portanCe.
Approved BY Committee.
Plans fer international competition
for the Curtiss Trophy have been de-
cldad upon by special board appointed
by the Contest Committee and ap-
proved by the full committee. which Is
headed by Orville Wright The special
board is composed Of Dr. George W.
Lewis, research director fer the Ma
tional Advisory Committee for Aero
nautics; Col. c. de F. Chandler and
Comdr. NJ. A. Mitscher. U. s. N
sented to the Contest Committee a re-
port recommending the establishment
OF a water flying festival, with the
Curtiss race for the main event. The
meet would include. in addition to the
Curtiss race, events for flying boats and
amphibians and other competitions
which may be deemed advisable
The principal handicap in staging an
international race of Schneider caliber
for the Curtlss Trophy, in the opinion
Of the board, will be securing sufficient
funds to finance the meet
The Contest Committee members,
studying the recommendations present.
ed to them" it was announced, dis
cussed the new and special problems
in connection with successful conduct
ing of such an annual seaplane
classic"
requirement Of such a race 1t was
pointed out must be that it be held
in protected waters, owing to the ex-
treme hazard Of landing tremendously
fast seaplanes on rough water. The
committee, accordingly, has made q
review of cities having suitable shore
line or bay areas for conducting such
an event. Many coast sections. be-
cause Of frequent fog and smoke, could
not be considered.
i Safety Plans Considered.
Though the National Capital has
protected water and a good speed
course established by the Navy for
routine test work, the difficulty Of OBJ
tanning adequate financial backing has
led members of the association to turn
their attention to Florida and Cali
fornia, which have successfully spon-
sored large aviation meets. The Ma
tional Air Races held at Los Angeles
In 1923 were the first to show financial
! profit and Miami during the past few
years has built up its January ALL
American Air Races to point where
they now have become of international
.mCortanCe.
Possible methods Of handling GROVES
in order that a sizable gate could be
obtained, which were discussed by the
meeting, the association announced,
included the establishment by munic-
ipal authorities of restricted water
areas where a charter charge could be
made for boats operating on restricted
shoreline areas where grandstands
could be erected and a parking fee
asked"
In view of the heavy death toll
caused by competition for the Schneider
Trophy during the past few years, the
Contest Committee considered plans
for competition which might afford q
greater factor of safety.
Although special consideration had
been given by the subcommittee as to
whether the race regulations should be
revised to promote chiefly the naviga-
bility and performance Of flying boats,
amphibianS and seaplanes particularly
suited to the amateur pilot" it was
stated, it was the decision that the
race would arouse more interest Is q
purely speed event and, as such, .
strong drawing card for complete
water flying festival"
Last Composition in 1850.
The last competition for the Curtiss
Trophy was flown at Anacostia on May
30, 1880, and was attended by Glenn
H. Curtiss, donor of the trophy, who
died soon afterward. The trophy was
won by Capt. Arthur H. Page, U. s.
NJ. c., who was killed the following
September in crash during the
Thompson Trophy race at Chicago.
Last years race wes the eleventh held
for the Curtiss Trophy. There was no
competition this year because Of a
decision by naval officials that there
was no point to the further racing Of
standard Navy combat planes, especial
" since the Navy carrier programs had
eliminated the faster types of Navy
. seaplanes.
Because Of Capt. Pages victory, the
trophy has stood for the past year IN
the main corridor Of the Navy Build
ing where 1t is to remain until taken
aWav bv another winner. Should q
| .a.>1nx,a thu frOnhu newt