Evening star., 1932-11-06


chased new equipment during the past
u months, though during the past few
weeks some orders have begun TO come
III as old equipment is forced TO the
scrap pile Military orders in the United
States are at the lowest ebb in years.
Were it not for the foreign market the
situation confronting the manufacture
ers would be black indeed.
Brazil is said to be one of the largest
purchasers of American combat planes.
Though the orders for many foreign
countries for military aircraft are placed
secretly, it is understood IN Washing
ton that the Brazilian orders for mill
tary aviation eQuiDment now being filled
total nearly s20OO,OO0. One Ohio COM
pany. it is understood, is completing de-
livery Of 40 special single-seater pursuit
planes to Brazilian agents, while an
other company is filling an order for an
unknown number OF tWo-seaters OF a
type in common use in the United States
Navy and two companies are supplying
motors.
The past few years have witnessed the
development of air forces in many parts
of South America, Brazil being one OF
the latest to undertake a military ayia-
tion program. Argentina. Bolivia. Chile.
Peru. Paraguay and Uruguay have air
forces. Chile is especially we'll
equipped. with a thoroughly moderni2ed
force of fast combat airplanes. One OF
the American manufacturers of stand
ard fighting planes for the United States
Army and Navy has established a
branch factory in Chile as a part OF the
Chill an program. Peru also has mod
ernized air force.
A newly designed United States fight
ing plane powered with one Of the most
popular types of radial air-cooled mo-
tors produced in this country has been
specified in number of recent orders
from South America.
Turkey also has been developed as a
market for American fighting planes, a
single order of "a single-seater pursuit
planes having been shipped this month.
followed few days later by two twin
motored American transport planes for
air transpor use in Turkey. Six train
ing planes were shipped to Turkey
earlier in the year.
Reserves Are Active.
Though handicapped by lack OF funds
for carrying on really well-rounded
training programs. officers and men OF
the Army, Navy and Marine reserve
souadrons in the District OF Columbia
are taking advantage OF every oppor-
tunity to keep themselves in readiness
for active duty.
The local Army Air Corps reserve
unit. already feeling the pinch OF hard
times in the sharp curtailment OF It's
flying time. will be able to DO little
flying this week. Last week end. now
ever. 10 officers OF the reserve unit,
headed by Capt Leroy McCarty, squad
off
in cross-country time, with Wayne
County Airport, 19 miles out OF Detroit,
Mich, as their objective.
The trip was made in four planes,
an element of three O-38 tWo-seater
observation planes and fast Northrop
transport monoplane. On the way out
strong head winds were encountered
and a refueling stop was made at
UniontoWn, Pa. The reserve flyers
were the guests of officers of the Michi-
gan National Guard squadron based at
Wayne County Airport Saturday night.
Capt. McCarty reported that the 10
cal officers were impressed by the ap-
parent lavish expenditure of funds at
the Wayne County Airport. The field
and its equipment, they were told, cost
combined hangar and administrative
building approximately $75o,000 with
equipment.
The group paid visit to Selfridge
Field, Mount Clemens, Mich, home OF
the 1st Pursuit Group, Army Air Corps,
last Sunday. The field there, they re-
ported, is cursed with roughneSs ex-
ceeded only by that Of Boiling Field
and only superior pilots, armed with
superior knowledge of, the inferior ter
rain, are able to come in for landings
without bouncing high, wide and hand
some.
The fight home was made. with a
stop at Uniontown, Sunday afternoon.
The Reserve pilots took care of their
own navigation problems on all legs
of the flight. which included two cross
ings of the notoriously bad Alleghenies,
and reported valuable results from
their oss-country training.
Plans are being made by the local
Air Corps Reserve officers to increase
regular evening training conferences
from one to two month. These meet
ings probably will be held on the sec
ond and fourth Tuesday evenings OF
each month.
Marines Are Organizing.
The newly created Marine Corps Re-
serve Squadron for the National Cap
ital area is rapidly approaching .
condition Of complete organization. The
squadron, for the present at least. will
, share airplanes, equipment and in.
structor with VN-6R, the local Naval
Reserve Aviation Division.
The new Marine Reserve squadron.