Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
NAVY WILL SEEK
E. SPEED SUPREMACY
Lets Secret Contract for En-
gine-Army Develops
Bomber Motor.

In an effort to regain for the United
States It's former supremacy in high
speed flying lost when this country
withdrew from Schneider competition,
the Navy Department, by order Of Con-
Hress. has placed a secret contract for
development Of a high-speed airplane
engine
At the same time. 1t was learned, the
Army Air Corps Is interested In the
development. now virtually completed,
Of the most powerful air-cooled motor
the world has SEEN a giant which will
develop IT'S horsepower for lombard
ment planes. This development Is ex-
pected to result in bombardment planes
of greater speed and better performance
than any the country has known.
The Navy development of racing
planes is the result. largely, Of the inter-
est stirred in Congress by the resigna-
ton from the service of Lieut. Afford
j. williams. jr., former Navy racing
star. so that he might continue de.
velopment, rs a civilian, Of high-speed
aircraft. AS an aftermath of hearings
before a special Senate committee,
funds were appropriated for high-speed
development.
Aumlt secret contract.
The development of special racing
engines was recognized as the first step
forward and the Navy yesterday after
noon admitted that a secret contract
has been awarded calling for develop
ment of an engine Of greater power.
speed and efficiency than any ever pro-
duced in this country. Williams ef-
forts were centered around a 1900
horsepower engine, which was used in
both of his Mercury racers and which
now is in the Naval Aircraft Factory
at Philadelphia. The new engine is ex-
pected to be even more powerful.
The identity of the designer Is being
carefully guarded by the Navy. SO that
he may pursue his work without risk OF
having his plans revealed. He is de-
scribed as being one of the foremost
civilian engine experts in the country
The work is expected to require wear
or more. and it is the Nays hope that
1t will have ready for entry in the 1888
Schneider classic an airplane which can
compete successfully with the mighty
British and Italian planes, which have
been winning records since this country
withdrew from competition.
The next Congress. will be asked for
a large appropriation for speed develop
ment.
After the engine problem is solved
the Navy still must cope with the diff
culties Of high-speed propellers and rae
Ing airplane design.
100000 Required.
Approximately $3.O00.O0O will be re-
quired II the United States is to hope
for representation in the Schneider
classic in 1888. in the opinion of David
S. ingalls,, Assistant Secretary of the
Navy for Aeronautics. The United
States has not competed in the Schneider
races since 1925.
The Nays last victory in the
Schneider races was in 1928 Mai
Jimmy" Doolittle won for the United
States in 1925 at Baltimore, and in the
following year both the Army and Navy
withdrew.
Except for the unsuccessful efforts Of
Lieut.. Williams. who obtained special
detail from the Navy TO work with Navy
and private funds in the creation of
racing planes. there was no attempt to
produce anything OF international rae
ing calber in this country.
Williams. ordered to sea duty. re-
signed so that he might continue rae
ing plane Development.
Army and Navy single-seater fight
ers now have top speed rating of 1856
miles per hour. The only faster COM
bat planes. Mr.. ingalls, said, are the
British "interceptors." a special type
Of single-seater fighter produced for the
defense of London. These planes carry
a supply of gasoline sufficient for only
about a half hour of flight. Ingalls, said.
and sacrifice other considerations to OBJ
tain speed.