Evening star., 1933-03-19

point Of speed and maneuverability and
has developed more than 400 miles per
hour in a vertical dive Of 5000 feet
without structural weakening. This air
plane has a monocoque type fuselage,
in which the thin metal skin takes up
a portion Of the stresses. Though this
type Of construction Is new for pursuit
airpaanes, the structure is said to have
exceeded the requirements under all
conditions.
Speaking of the development Of the
P-26 to the production stage, Maj
Howard expressed the opin on that this
will place the Air Corps in a secure
position in relation to performance,
judging from what we know Of develop
ments Of this type abroad"
Airship Leadership Asked.
The proposal to lay up the U. s. S.
Akron, which has been in commission
for nearly year, and the U. S. S.
Macon, which has just been Launched"
and soon will be ready for trials, is
characterized by Rear Admiral William
A. Moffett, chief of the Navy Bureau of
Aeronautics, as "unthinkable
Pointing out the great value of the
airship for scouting purposes, Admiral
Moffett declared that the airship has
tremendous promise and should not be
neglected"
1--WE should not fail to develop in
time Of peace any weapon which may
be OF use in war;" he said in a speech
at Akron on the day Of the launching
of the Macon. After war breaks out
it Is too late"
The Navy has no intention Of asking
for more airships now, the admiral
said, but expressed the hope that when
financial considerations permit, the
Akron and Macon will be lengthened
and their gas capacity increased from
6,500,000 cubic feet to 100000 cubic
feet each. This, he said, is perfectly
feasible and would increase their speed
and radius of action by Is per cent.
II their size IS not increased" he
ship field. the Germans, will soon have
a larger airship than we have. Let US
never be content to see America second
in anything. If the Navy does not
make the Akron and Macon the largest
airshipS In the world, it is hoped COM
mercial interests will soon build a g.
100000 or 10000 900 cubic foot ship, re-
tanning for us, for America, the leader
ship in at least this branch of aero
nautics."
Germany now is building a successor
to the Graf Zeppelin-an air giant to
be known as the Hindenburg, which
will outclass the Akron and Macon in
size. This ship is to go into passenger,
mail and express service across the
South Atlantic between Germany and
South American ports, aug1nenting the
service which was carried on with the
H%-of 1ar C,,v yI.;a & L.
resumed May g.
Before the United States can enter
the international airship transport field
legislative action by Congress will be
necessary. This action the Seventy
second Congress will be asked to take.
Legislation of this type was embodied
in the McNary- Crosser bill, which passed
the House during the past Congress but
failed in the Senate
I'VE hope for the passage Of similar
bill by the new Congress" Admiral
Moffett said, and feel sure that capital
will then come forward to build much
larger commercial airship that will be
the forerunner of a fleet of airships
that will carry our commerce and flag
over all the world"
Admiral Moffett said, not only to build
the Akron and Macon for military
purposes, but also to employ them so
far as possible to blaze the way for the
commercial use of airships.
I'VE have done the experimental
work, developed new types Of mooring
masts, trained personnel and shown
the way for commercial use," he said
I'VE feel we have done our part, and
that it is now up to Congress to pass
legislation that will make it financially
practicable to build and operate COM
mercial airships.
Commercially they would not COM
pete with nor displace surface ships,
but would be supplementary to them
for the carrying Of passengers, mail
and light freight. That such service
IS practicable has been demonstrated
by the many voyages of the Graf Zep-
pelin, especially her regular scheduled
flights to South America, when she
was only one hour late during 20
voyages