Evening star., 1932-07-10

progress In Naval Reserve aviation since
/ its organization in 1928, according TO
naval authorities. The use of service
type aircraft, systematic and progressive
methods Of training and companions
between units and bases for efnciency
honors, coupled with annual Inspection
| by officers of the Regular Navy, have
breathed new life into the Reserves.
During the past fiscal year approxi-
mately 10000 applications were received
at the various naval districts requesting
! aviation training. OF the 10000 only
about $50 were forwarded to the Navv
Department, and of the $50 only 40
were selected for elimination flight
training. OF these 40 only 20 will
be selected to take the regular pre-
scribed advanced course at the Naval
Air Station. Pensacola, Fla. or one out
Of every 5000 who originally applied.
Efforts have been made during the
past year to make each naval aviation
reserve base self-sustained unit and at
the same time to institute greater
economies in operation. The result
has been a large increase in hylng
hours for the reserve pilots with the
same expenditure of funds.
The Naval Reserve aviation organi-
zatior. consists of 10 squadrons, COM
/ DOSCQ VI Ol d4N AolOAASf AONOS~o
Naval Reserve air bases. The local
squadron. VN-6R. is stationed at the
Anacostia Naval Air Station. The COM
plement of the squadrons is only about
| so per cent of that required by the i've
year program due to curtailment OF
funds.
The Reserve organization, however
provides a splendid nucleus of well
trained and highly efficient officers and
men who are capable of becoming an
integral part of the Regular Naval
aviation forces at sea in case of ma
tional emergency.
Diving Bombers Are Delivered.
Half of Navy Bureau Of Aeronautics
order for 80 Navy Martin diving bomb
ers. at a cost of a half-million dollars,
has been filled by the Glenn L. Martin
Company at Baltimore. The remaining
16 planes are to be delivered in Sep
tember.
The big planes can carry bomb loads
of 1000 pounds in vertical diving
attacks called for by the latest Navy
| tactical plans. Six of the big ships
are being flown across the United
States for assignment to the U. S. S
Lexington and others win follow.
Flight Test Chief Leaves.
Lieut.. Ralph A. Ofstie, flight test
officer at the Anacostia Naval Air Sta
ton for the past two and half years,
has left the National Capital for sea
duty. Ofstie, former Schneider Trophy
racer, has been chief Of the section dur
| ing the most important period of its
growth as the test center for all new
and experimental types of Navy air.
craft.
Lieut.. Ofstie is on his way to assume
| the post of flag secretary on the staff
Of the commander Of the aircraft units
Of the Battle Force.
| The duties of fight test officer will be
taken over by Lieut. Ernest w. Litch,
who has Just returned to duty at the
/ local air station. Lieut.. Litch Is nc
stranger to the National Capital, hav-
/ ing served a previous tour of duty at
the local station, ending about four
! years ago.
While on duty here on his previous
tour, Lieut.. Litch was the Navy mem
Der Of a special board created to CO.
operate with the District Commissioner
and Congress in a study OF possible
sites for a local municipal airport
Though the boards report was sub
n1itted more than four years ago
nothing has been done by Congress
since that time to carry into execution
the boards recommendation for ths
creation of model civil airport for thu
| National Canital