Evening star., 1939-05-02
Aviation Chiefs Meet
At Langley Field
For Conferences
Lindbereh to Appear
Before Committee
Late Today
BY JOSEPH S. EDGERTON
Star StafY Correspondent.

LANGLEY FIELD, Va, May O.
On the eve of the national air de-
fense program, which will increase
the strength of the Army and Navy
air forces to more than 5000 air
planes, more than 400 aviation lead
ers gathered here today as guests
of the National Advisory Committee
on Aeronautics to inspect research
apparatus designed as a reply to for
eign developments which threatened
to make every American airplane
obsolete
Dealing with problems of flight
at speeds of approximately 500 miles
per hour, research scientists here
are seeking to guarantee that the
millions of dollars to be spent for
military airplanes will not be wasted
on types already surpassed abroad.
One Of the unceasing enemies
of the aeronautical engineer DEM
onstrated here today is a "shock
wave" similar to that generated
around the nose of rifle bullet
in flight. It is this shock wave
which causes the screaming Of the
bullet and which must be overcome
before further increases in airplane
speeds become possible.
The shock waves occur in the
neighborhood of 750 miles per hour,
which is the speed of sound. Since
airflow has to speed up to get
around airplane windshields, engine
cowling and other protuberances,
local air speeds around the airplane
already are reaching the critical
velocity of sound at airplane speeds
of little more than 300 miles per
hour. When this occurs, the air
flow around these barriers breaks
down into a violent turbulence or
shock wave which acts as brake
to increased speed even though
engine horsepower is doubled or
tripled.
Secret Developments.
The Nations aeronautical leaders
were shown secret research develop
ments which may make 1t possible
during the progress of the present
rearmament program for American
airplanes to obtain maximum speeds
in level flight of more than 500
miles per hour. The present world
record, held by Italy, is 440 miles
per hour.
Some of the radical changes in
the design of wings and other air
plane parts which will make such
speeds possible were revealed here
today for the first time.
Col. Charles A. Lindbergh, now
engaged in study OF American
aeronautical research facilities for
the Army Air Corps, will appear
before special meeting of the
National Advisory Committee for
Aeronautics here late today to dis
cuss further details Of his studies
in this country and Europe.
He is expected to renew his plea
that aviation research be made the
keystone of American air defense.
During the trip from Washington
by steamer last night, Col Lind
bergh discussed informally the re-
suits Of his months of observation
in Europe.
Relaxed and Informal.
Among the members of his own
profession. Col. Lindbergh was re-
laxed and informal, once again a
gay-hearted man who became a
world figure as youngster II
years ago.
He even let down his guard in
the presence Of the few newspaper
men in the party, and chatted freely
and without restraint on non-tech-
nical subjects. He parried laugh
ingly all questions as to his studies
and his observations of aeronautical
progress in Europe.
No photographers were permitted
on the trip and members Of the
party who carried cameras were
asked to leave them behind before
entering the laboratories.
It was learned that Col. Lind
bergh probably will appear before
members of the Senate and House
Appropriations Committee in the
next few days in support of an ap-
preparation recommended by Presi-
dent Roosevelt and the Army and
Navy for a new basic research lab
oratory on the Pacific Coast, similar
to that at Langley Field. The Sen
ate and House already have re-
jected . $4,000, 900 appropriation to
establish such . laboratory at
sunuyvale. CALI.