Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-28

beginning of contest which not only
may Shatter the all-time American
speed record, but which may even es-
tablish a new world speed record LOT
land planes. This, at least, is the opln-
ion of Pop" Cleveland, veteran plIoC
and contest chairman of the races.
Pop is convinced that some RECORDS
are going to fall when the speed planes
begin roaring over the Cleveland course
during the annual classic this year,
Not only have airplane speeds increased
during the past year, he pointed OUT,
but the fact that straightaway speed
dashes will be permitted this year ana
that the Thompson race will be around
a course permitting 10-mlle, instead OF
smile, laps will result in higher speed
averages. -,
The first hint of the activity dis
played by prospective Thompson con-
testants came with the crash OF an eX-
detrimental racing plane during test
spins by Mai. James H. Doolittle dur
ing the past week at East st. Louis.
Doolittle, famous for his acrobatic ny
ing, also is a world-famed racing pilot,
having carried the American colorS IN
several Schneider races.
Doolittles crash occurred In What ne
believed was the fastest land plane
ever built. Reports indicated that the
design would have achie~ed speeds well
in excess of 270 miles per hour but Tor
the fact that the wings, taken from a
slower type of plane, were unaole 70
stand the strain of the bullet-like
speeds attained in the tests and gave
way. forcing Doolittle to become e, a
second-degree member of the Caterpll-
lar CIub Doolittle's first forced para
chute lump to save his life was mace
during the National Air Races at chi
caeo last Summer, when he tore tne
wings off an Army Hawk in power
dive Contest officials hope that Doc
little will be able to build announcer plant
with more durable wings IN time Ior
the Cleveland meet. ,,,,.,ono
Harry williams, wealthy LoulSlana
snortsman pilot, has completed racing
nIsne which. according to reports re-
ceived by the Cleveland officials, mas
made 286 miles per hour in secret tests
British Pilot May Race.
The British air ministry has granted
,,ernnission for Flight Comdr. Rlcharo
I, r. Atcherley, who attained sea
plane speed of 332.49 miles per hour as as
a member of the Schneider team %
1929, to attend the 1881 races at CieVe-
ionJ according to word received from
Afford J. williams, jr former star Navy
racing acrobatic pilot. Williams is re-
cr,Iiting a foreign team to appear at
this wears aviation epic. Atcherley'
who flew last year at Chicago, may en-
ter the Thompson race this year. :.
The racing planes assemoied ci,, ~ az
Cleveland this Summer not only VIII pc
permitted to show their form IN the
Thompson race, covering distance OF
100 miles around a l0-mlle closed
course. but also in 1-mile stralghtaWay
speed dashes. The StraightaWay speed
runs are to be a new feature OF tne
races this year and there will be l! OF
them, for all types OF planes, mcIuoIlg
three for woman pilots.
The present speed record for women
Is held by Ruth Nichols, now In 81.
Johns hospital with fractured spine
as result of O bad landing on the first
hop of a projected transatlantic night.
She set a pace of 210 miles per hour
at the Detroit Aircraft Show last April.
Among the women who Will seek at
Cleveland to better Miss Nichols mark
are Florence Lowe "Poncho" Barnes,
Laura ingalls,, Amelia Earhart Putnam,
GLADYS O'Donnell. Phoebe Omlie, May
Haizlip and Marjorie Doig.
The Thompson race, which has come
to occupy place as the leading Amerl-
can speed event, is for a beautiful
ton there will be placed at stake In
Cleveland the Cleveland Pnuematlc
Tool Aerial Trophy and $500 cash for
a 5O-nile free-for-an race over a closed
course.
The present American speed record
has been standing for eight years: 1t
was established in 1928 by Lieut.. AFFORD
j. williams, jr., at Mineola, Long Is
land. with a speed of 1859 miles per
hour. In q plane built for Schneider
race purposes, but later converted into
a. landplane. The worlds speed record
for landplanes is 278.4S miles per hour,
established by Adjt. Bonnet at 1stres,
France, in 1924.
Harbors Of the Air.
Air harbors of the type required for
the handling of giant airships are just
as definitely provided by nature as are
harbors for ocean-going vessels, IN the
opinion of Ward T. Van Orman, inter-
nationally famous balloon racer, who
has been in charge OF the survey con-
Quoted by international airship inter
ests for q United States terminal for
transatlantic Zeppelin service.
The difference between sea ana air
harbors, Van Orman pointed out, is
that the steamship harbor is visible
sort of thing which may be quickly
Judged as to suitability The airshlp
harbor requires more study. 1t can not
be Judged at glance. The SUITABILITY
of the natural airship harbor is deter
mined by such factors as winds and
temperatures, prevalence Of thunder
storms. fogs, high winds and other
manifestations Of nature disturbing TO
the peace of mind of the gentlemen
who Shove dirigibles along the skyWays.
The location of the natural airshlp
harbor may be determined only by
thorough study of weather and climatic
conditions. Such a study now is being
completed by Mr.. Van Ormen for the
GOODYEAR Zeppelin Corporation and the
International Zeppelin Transport Cor
poration. with a view to the establish
ment of transatlantic airsh-p service
within the next year or two.
The search has been narrowed 10 1our
iocations-near Washington, Baltimore,
Philadelphia and Richmond, Va. THESE
four points are within an area which
affords the best all-around conditions
for the docking and ground-handllng
of large airshipS The area is fairly
sharply defined though some portions
of it afford benefits which are lacking
in others and at the same time lack
those conditions which recommend
other locations.
At the four sites now remaining under
consideration careful studies have been
made over period of year and en-
Cineers now are at work On the prac-
teal problems of construction, includ-
ing grading, drainage and the location
of foundations for the huge structures
needed at large airship terminal.
Washington Site Favored.
The Washington site is broad and
fat valley bottom ringed with low hills,
between Alexandria and Mount Vernon,
bordering the main coastal highway. 1t
first was pointed out to DR.. Hugo Ecke,
ner, moving spirit in the international
Zeppelin organization, by Larry VII
liam and Robert j. Cottrel OF the
washington Board Ct Trade, and is re-
garded as having splendid chance for
selection as the site for the main ter