Evening star., 1941-01-13
War Is Producing
SuperpIanes, Says
Aeronautics Board
Growing Importance
Of Research Stressed
In Report to Congress

IN the blast furnace of the war
are being forged warplanes of high
or speeds, higher ceilings, increased
Armor and armament and improved
performance, the National Advisory
Committee for Aeronautics said in
Its annual report to Congress today.
The war demands, it was pointed
out, are requiring engines Of greater
size and horsepower than any vet
known and are establishing a def
mite trend toward higher wing
loadings.
As result of these demands, 1t
was stated, scientific research has
become "the most fundamental ac-
tivity of the Government in con-
nection with the development of
Americas potential strength in the
air"
mo matter how greatly produc-
ton facilities may be increased, no
matter how many pilots may be
trained, unless the aircraft that are
built for action are at least equal
In performance to those of any
possible enemy. the whole effort will
be largely wasted" the N. A. C. A.
reported
The committee said that, although
the need for military secrecy pre-
vents 1t making a detailed report
on many of the new research de-
velopments, it is hurrying up the
construction of new research facili-
ties which will give the country
much better assurance that Amer
lea will be able to keep in advance
OF the technical developments In
other countries"
Civil Aviation to Profit.
Progress in military and naval
aviation will find reflection in i'm
proved performance, efficiency, and
safety OF civil and commercial avi-
alton 1t was stated The COM
mittee believes that commercial
aviation will prove of ever-increas-
ing Importance to the United States
IN promoting international trade
and good will, especially in the
Western Hemisphere. When the
pa SoNAAO wal lldNC ClluCur dNldllOl
will have an opportunity to prove
Its real value to civilization in facili-
tating international trade and COM
nerce. When that day comes, the
extension of world trade routes of
the air will bring some compensation
for the awful destruction wrought
and to be wrought by military avi-
alton before peace again prevails"
The committee reported that the
civilian pilot training program of
the Civil Aeronautics Authority,
hard hit by Budget Bureau re-
duction of sl9o0O0OO in its funds
for the coming fiscal year, will,
without doubt, serve further to
stimulate private flying in the
United States and to give it an i'm
petus which will have reaching
results in the years to come"
The committees report implied
opposition to War Department and
White House moves to curtail de-
liveries Of new air transport planes
to the airlines.
I'm the present emergency, when
the needs Of national defense are
predominant" it was reported, ways
and means should nevertheless be
found to sustain and continue the
advance of commercial aeronautics.
Airmail and passenger transporta-
ton has already become of great
value to the Nation and in time of
war would be essential to our in
dustrial effectiveness"
Research More Vital.
Reporting on construction progress
1t the N. A. c. AS 25-year -old
Langley Field Laboratory at Langley
Field, Va, and on the new labora-
tory at Sunnyvale. Calf, DR.. Van
nevar Bush, chairman, in his letter
accompanying the report, said
"One OF the essential requisites
for retaining leadership in the
technical development of aircraft is
more and more research. Technical
progress Is so rapid and the ad-
vantages Of new improvements so
great that research in time of emer-
eency Is Of even greater relative
Importance than in time OF peace"
The committee reported that
whereas pursuit airplanes of year
ago were equipped with engines o.
1000 horsepower. they now are re-
ing designed with single engines
OF 1000 horsepower. Because of the
higher resulting speeds. great care
must be given in the designing of
all parts OF the airplane structure