Evening star., 1941-03-15

II n y n - z II q
large gamble on -
the liquid-cooled n,, ,
engine.
Both types, of course, are desirable
In a well-rounded aviation program,
but it is important to know the basic
principles underlying the rivalry be-
tween the two.
The liuuid-cooled engine made in
America has not yet been developed
beyond the 1000 horsepower class,
whereas the air-cooled engines have
reached 1000 horsepower. This is
not to say, however, that the liquid
cooled may not reach 1000 horse
power some day-the Germans al
ready are claiming it-but it is
safe prediction that when that time
comes the air-cooled engine makers
will have stepped up their horse
power correspondingly.
Horsepower is vital when 1t comes
to carrying power. The liquid-cooled
engines permit of certain advan-
tages in streamlining and speed, but
the air-cooled engines, on the other
hand, make possible heavier craft
which are so necessary in carrying
defense armament and guns.
Purchasing Policy Changed.
Virtually all the American bomb
ers are equipped with the air
cooled type of engine and it is in the
pursuit planes-the craft which fight
off the bombers-that the liquid
cooled engines are being installed
bv the Army. For a while it looked
as if the War Department would
overlook the Is years of experience
back of the air-Cooled engine in
America and concentrate on liquid
cooled types, but in the last several
months a change of policy has oc-
Cured and the Army, while placing
the bulk of its money in liquid
cooled. is nevertheless increasing its
appropriations for air-cooled en-
RineS,
Germany was compelled to con-
centrate on the iquid-cooled engine
because she was for years not per-
mitted to manufacture powerful
warcraft. America has found the
air-cooled engine dependable and
simpler for commercial transport
use. The British have had success
with the hquid-cooled engine, out
they are welcoming all types now
and especially those which will en-
able their pursuit ships to carry
heavier guns and armament ard
yet maintain a Administrations
speed.
The trials and tribulations of
American manufacturers Of the
liquid cooled engine have been
many, but these engines are at last
in production, output having
reached around $50 9. month. Pro-
duction is expected to reach around
1000 a month in the autumn. To
build new engine Of the liquid
cooled type in the course of three
years Of experimentation and de-
signing is an achievement which
ranks well in the history of Ameri-
can aircraft, but the devotees Of
the ar-cooled engine feel confident
that the Is years of development
behind the cooled engine will
enable it to outstrip its rival in
performance.
Plants Up to Date.
The air-cooled manufacturers are
proud of the fact that they are al
ready up to a production of 1000
engines a month and that before
the end of this year this rate will
be materially increased. The United
States is indeed fortunate in having
had an aircraft industry which, in
developing engines for commercial
use has kept its personnel and
plants and designs up to date so
that the War and Navy Depart
ments today have at their elbows an
industry which not only can pro-
duce big numbers of engines and
planes itself but can teach another
induStry-namely, the automotiVe-
something about aircraft produc-
ton.
Packard, Ford and Buick are
copying engines Of either American
or British design, while the Allison
company-a division of General
Motorists specializing on liquid
cooled motors. When the whole job
is done America is going to have
reason for pride in the achievement
of its industriaIsts who make air
craft and engines. For the flow of
production is already so big that it is
doubtful whether Germany has the
capacity ever to equal it.
of the well
depend on the foresight of the men
In the War and Navy Departments
who have been responsible for the
decision to use eveery available de-
sign that has been tested and not
to risk everything on one particular
type. The policy of encouraging
aircraft manufacturers to strive for
higher and higher goals by keeping
them supplied with orders and by
pressing them for better and better
results is bearing fruit. American
bombers are the equal and in many
instances are superior to anything
In the air today combining speed
with power to carry big loads of
bombs. American pursuit planes
may be counted upon as their use
increases abroad to play more and
more effective part in fighting off
Nazi bombers and in protecting the
R. A. F. on its ofiense. Considering
the time in which the United States
has been on an all-aid-to-Britain
basis, American aviation is making
substantial progress not only in
production but in engineering, and
1t will not be long before the story
of what American aircraft is doing