Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-07-29

from me + ar fdNI Ddill'lIonl
and criticized our planes AS we'll
as our fighting leaders.
His criticism came forth tho
same day u was announced that
American flcrS had used Brit
lSh planes IN their first raid on
the continent, instead of their
own.
The inference from all these
and other similar murmurlngS is
that our fighting ships are In
ierlor 10 both the JapS and the
British.
OUCH drastic conclusions. how
~ ever. do not seem warranted.
II they were true, we certainly
have the most colossal assembly
of dunderhead> ever assembled,
IN charge of choosing planes Tor
our fighting services.
They have known all about the
laps. As we'll as the British
ships, for many months, and only
the most cNtraVagant stupidity
could possibly have prevented
Them from using the vast me-
chanical facilities and genius or
American production.
YOU cannot have maneuvera-
Il blllty, fast climbing and
speed in planes without neglect
ing armor, firepower and self
sealing tanks. The japs, the
British and our people have
been required 10 choose which Of
these qualifications they wanted
and which they would sacrifice.
NOW no cautious reporter will
attempt TO do anything
more IN the current argument
among aviation techniclanS than
report the full facts, without eX-
pressing arbitrary judgment.
The other side OF Mr.. JohnSons
story. as | gather il here, is this.
The Jap Zero is superior 10
our navy fighters IN climbing
ability and speed but il is very
vulnerable. An AP dispatch re-
Gently claimed new Jap models
are sacrificing their speed TO put
on more armor. The Zero has
no armor now, and does not
carry self-Sealing gas tanks. One
hit and II is gone
In combat, so far. our planes
have proved more than a match
for the JapS. due perhaps in
some part 10 our superiority in
armor. firepower and Self-Seal-
ing tanks, but most of all be-
cause our pilot efficiency is
greatly superior to the Japs.
OUR Ply flying boats dong
~ range patrol bomberS),
however, is one type of ship that
has been no match for the Jap
Zeros. but our Flying FortreSseS
are supreme.
The army started off with
planes similar TO the light fire.
power and protection of the
ZeroS. as did the British. but
these were soon abandoned
Earlier models OF our P-40
proved greatly inferior 10 both
the British and Japs. But a
British communicate Sunday
paid high tribute 10 the new
Psi. our latest North American
pursuit ship.
THE old P-40's have been used
Il mainly by our air force in
China and Libya, but new
models in use elsewhere carry
superior frepower. armor, etc,
although they are not as maneu-
Verahle as the ZeroS.
Our new P-47 high altitude
intcrceptor is supposed 10 fight
higher and harder than anything
fighting today. Republic IS build
ing This new army ship and de-
liverieS are being made, but not
IN quantity yet
II has a 1000 horsepower air
cooled engine, and has tested al
$50 miles per hour I'm power
dive, flying level al 400 miles
per hour. II VIII outShoot the
Zero and has greater protection.
As for the Americans flying
British ships IN their first raid,
IL is said that British produc-
tion has concentrated on pursuit
ships which they cannot easily
Get from us. as these must be
Grated and shipped overseas,
while our production has placed
emphasis on big bomberS which
can be flown over. The British
are supposed 10 fly our bombcrS
IN England while we use their
pursuits.
NOR these reasons. little off
l cial notice was taken Of the
johnson charges OF other critical
WurmurIngS The men IN an
thorty seem 20 cOnccdc. by their
explanations cited above. that
an Our ships are not the best IN
tho world, that much remains 10
be- done although they az least,
seem to be satisfied that they
arc dong ~
Certain ~ is. that tho isolated
engagements IN which We have
been involved 50 Far have proved
That our fighting mon have what
If takes 10 win our leadership
and our equipment Sull has not
been so thoroughly tested as yet
Until they arc tested, no ont
slider can safely reach ConClu-
lrDre ne 10 thor efficiency Al