Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-30

While streamlining is less important 70 heavy
trains at low speeds DR.. Tietiens found that
If the proper design were given the present
light interurban train, the total horsepower
required to drive it at speed OF IS to 90
miles per hour could be reduced by more
than half
Styles of revolutionary character for high
speed trains are expected to be worked out as
a consequence of these tests, making the trains
notable for their efficiency and economy Of
operation The application Of streamlining to
railways may not be as extensive as IN the case
of airplanes, but the work already done and
the fact that group Of the foremost French
railway teehnicians convinced Of the prac-
dcability Of streamlining constitute some indf-
cation Of its future in the railway field
DACK about 1910, when man first began ex-
- ploring the sky, stFeamlining got its first
real trial outside Of nature. Here resistance
was all Of an aerodynanlic sort, and 1t was soon
found that the original box-shaped aiTplanes
wouldn't do.
just as an example of what this SKILL means
in the air, DR. Joseph S. Ames chairman Of the
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics,
has said that suficient streamlining win reduce
the resistance of an airplane by two-thirds.
Thus any Of the giant trimotored ships which
ny the passenger lanes of the country could, IL
correctly designed. leave of two of their en-
gines and still develop much speed as they do
with all three at the present timei
That airplane designers realize the impor-
lance OF streamlining today is shown by the
display few weeks ago of the British Royal
Air Force. New styles calculated to lower wind
resistance were Illustrated by planes developed
in designers constant search for more perfect
streamlining
There is stin room for much development
In streamlining in aviation. Devices such as
landing gear and projections about the cockpit
increase air resistance so per cent or more. and
must be done away with or built in If much
higher speeds are to be obtained without some
radical innovations in motors.
Projections make such a big difference be-
cause streamlined body Is delicateIy balanced
to find the easiest path Fins on airplanes and
racing cars are for the purpose of helping the
car or plane maintain this head-cn position.
DARTIAL streamlining has been applied sue
cessfully to some of the big ocean liners.
The Bremen, which holds the speed record for
crossing the Atlantic, presents striking pic
ture with its oblong stem, cylindrical stacks,
and block-shaped bridges.
Among the boats Of recent design are those
driven by airplane propellers, which may soon
speed along all the inland waterways Of Ger
many. They evidence more consideration for
the air resistance, which is almost as impor-
tant as the water factor.
Bodies that engineers streamline for use in
the air have been found to be efficiently stream
lined for water operation at low speeds. At high
speeds, however, the conditions of resistance
vary greatly. A boat moving through the water
at 100 miles per hour Is having the same resist
ance troubles that an airplane would face rush
ing along at 1900 miles!
It can be seen that the matter OF stream
lining is making many CT the automotive worlds
engineers sit up and think, II they haven't done
so already Streamlining has a wide applica-
don, but 1t is in the realm Of the ordinary auto
mobile that the idea seems most revolutionary.