Evening star., 1937-04-04

armistice the American factories were
geared up to an output of $1,000 air
planes a year. They we're actually
producing more than all the allies
combined; and thousands Of Amer
leans were being trained to fly them.
The next few months would have
found American machines virtually
sWarming over the enemy lines by
the thousands 1t was this rapidly
growing air power OF the United
States, and Germany's knowledge Of
1t, which helped to force the war to
an early conclusion.
AS A result Of its wartime expe-
rience, the Army during the next
few years repeatedly tried to build up
a strong air force, and it succeeded
by progressive stages. Today the Air
Corps is model for all other nations,
So says Col. Chandler.
The air forces of the United States
have made a fair degree of progress
within the financial limitations estab-
hshed by Congress. Much of the
present development work cannot be
described because it is a military Sc.
cret. Published reports by responsible
officials, however, show the trend
toward increased efficiency Of the
Army Air Corps.
A year ago the Army Air Corps had
In active service about / 100 so-called
combat planes. but only 300 of that
number were actually fit for war duty.
Inc rest were obsolete. The present
procurement program provides for ap-
proxlmately 500 new combat planes
a year, and these have been entering
service at an increasingly rapid rate.
Al present, 1t is believed, the Air
corps has about 1900 combat plane,
IN service, at least half of that mum.
Der useful in action against a first.
class power.
The Secretary of Wars annual re-
port discloses that 600 machines will
nave been ordered during the fiscal
year 1887, which ends June 80 this
year. Fighting planes are now ap-
proachlng service speeds of 300 miles
an hour. New observation planes are
40 miles an hour faster than the older
models. Bombers carrying ton OF
explosives and capable of flying $500
miles nonstop at an average speed of
200 miles an hour are entering service.
But the Air Corps actually has only
6O per cent of the planes which the
general staff of the Army considers
necessary for adequate peace-time
strength. 1t has only half the number
OF officers and men believed requisite
to an efficient corps maintained at full
peace-time strength. The Air Corp,
agrees with the general staff in its
belief that 300 new planes a year are
required to maintain the service in a
state that will permit efficient ex-
pansion in an emergency. That mum.
Der, the officials assert, will give the
Air Corps at all times total strength
Of $500 machines.
Aviation experts see in present con-
ditions abroad certain elements of
danger which might conceiy-- Iy push
the United States into war, in which
there will be virtually not the slightest
opportunity for victory unless the
American air forces are equipped with
modern aircraft and trained personnel
to ward of any sudden attack by an
enemy and prevent his return.
What happened in the World War
IS nothing to what might happen If
America became embroiled in a war
today. Then. as Col. Chandler says,
men flew flying machines that were
Just about two stages advanced from
orange crates. Nowadays the new
bombers are formidable aerial
fortresses.
Unlike the World War, any large
scale conflict today would begin and
end with raids by huge aerial armadas
capable of great distances over land
and water at speed close to 3 miles
minute.