Evening Star Newspaper, August 28, 1927, Page 25

« N ) THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. * NAVY PUTS PLANES 10 SEVERE TESTS Five Flyers Determine Fit- ness of Ships Offered for Service Use. BY FREDERICK R. NEELY. To meost people, an airplane is an firplane and then they begin to talk about the characteristics of auto mobiles To the five officers in the flight test | section of the Naval Air Station at Anacostia. however. bunch of § rigid se s for Navy use 1o which tiese airmen submit all new | aircra In short, an airplane that Tun the gantlet of these five skilled and experienced airmen will be able to take its plice \with the “eves of the fleet” and render the serv it will be called upon to give. If the Navy hought every plane submitted to it on the performance recommendation as made by its manu facturer. there would not be that | standardized. efficient fleet of craft that flies the skies today that the salesman misrepresents his product—he's just not quite in the | position to know to the minute what | the Navy's needs ave Tests Prove Worth. He may build his plane according | to plaps and specifications submitted | to him and it is quite possible now | to estimate from the drawings, just what the performance will | be hasn't the facilities for that performance to the acid test, = therefore he must wait until flight test section gets through with the child of his brain hefore he can know whether or not it is an airplane | Any and all types of airplanes. sea- planes and amphibians that the Navy | desires to acquire or the manufacturer @esires to sell, must first come to} ‘Washington and speak their little pieces. If they graduate. in most all cases they are. bought up in large numbers, if a need for them is present. | If they fail to make the required grade, they are about worthless, since all emphasis in the design and con struction was laid on use for the Navy. Lieut. George R. Henderson, who @ame to the station about three vears ago, is chief of the flight test section and the other members are Lieut.| Comdr. Arthur €. Miles (Construction Corps), technical adviser: Lieut. 8. W. Callaway, Lieut: F. R. Buse and| Lieut. Edward R. Rounds. ‘Bach one is a test pilot and each has an equal wvoice in the matter of preparing re- ports on the suitability of an airplane for Navy service. When a new plane arrives at the | station the first duty is to place it on, and suspend it from, several scales to determine its weight, both empty and fully loaded. and also to find its | center of gravity. These results are‘ checked against the manufacturer’s blue prints. and as the planes nearly | alwavs conform, the next duty is| flight triale. | Each Member Tries Ship. | “Each member «f the test board| makes a sort of preliminaiy experi mental hop.” according to Lieut. Hen derson. “He feels the airplane out | gradually, lands and takes off a few | times, locates the various instruments | and in general acquaints himself with | the whole tash-up. “This finished, we are ready to| make a-one-hour full-power run. ' The | obiect of this run is to bring out any | difficulties in the power plant before | actual performance trials are begun. | The run ix made at an indicated alti- tude of 2,000 feet and under full load | ounditions.” The next step is to calibrate the airupeed meter, which plays a very important part in the other tests. and | it is imperative that its error be| known. The balibration is made | by a series of runs over a measured | course on the Potomac and Anacostia rivers in each direction. This course, according to Lieut. Henderson. “is | considered one of the finest and most | accurate in the country.” Its length measures 14,137 feet. ‘With the airspeed meter calibrated, | the pilots determine the high and low speeds. Each of the five mentioned | airmen has a fling at every test and as a2 new one takes the stick he is in ignorance as to the results obtained by his predecessor, and upon com- pletion of the trials the notes are com- pared. The high and low speeds, Licut. Henderson says, are “extrsmely im portant to any ship. Four complete runs at wide-open throttle are made up and down the measured course while the pilot fiies the ship and checks his time with a stop-watch. Low speed is obtained by fiving the plane across the fleld or water almost in the stalling position. Climbing Speed Fixed. With both the high and low speeds it is now possible 1o make a fair es- timate of the best climbing attitude for altitude work. The usual “rule-of- thumb method” is to subtract low speed from high, divide by three and add the low speed to the result. The answer should be approximately the best speed to start the climb with. The ship is then taken into the air and a number of prelimin tooth climbs are made to check estimate. Finally. with the hest re- sults obtainable, the pilot sets forth on_ his service ceiling test Dressed in heavy clothing—sheep- skin-lined moccasins, helmet, goggle chamois face mask and heavy gloves the pilot circles the field a few times 1o make sure that everything is func- tioning properly. “When all adjustment Lieut. Henderson explain: approaches the ground at about the | initial climbing speed. He starts the 4+ automatic barograph going, clicks his stop-watch and hauls the nose up, ap- | plying full power. are made,” he pilot “Straightaway. with the nose point ed toward heaven and the airspeed meter registering the proper climb he continues up and up. His eyes| dart from one instrument to another, for every minute the airspeed meter, altimeter, air temperature, thermom- erer and revolutionsper-minute indi- cator must be read und recorded on pad which he carries strapped to his knee, “If the engine is one of the newer super-charged jobs, carburetor mani- fold pressures must continually be adjusted to sea level conditions. At about 18,000 fect the oxygen valve is open and the pilot places the tube in his mouth Always reading recording. he continues on plane reaches an elimbs about 100 f is known as the ser ranges from 26,000 to the new experimental ships. Temperature Very Low. “At this altitude temperatures of 30 degrees below are often encc ered. The cluck frequently freezes and stops. conden instrument forms a over the glass, and it is often neces. sary to remove the gogsles becausc vapor from breathing freezes on the lenses. . “On the trip down, at intervals of 2,000 feet, the plane is leveled off and super § the altitude maintained for a few minutes. From these runs speed at the various altitudes is computed “The next test is to determine the fuel and oil consumption at various e that | Wa .of 1 | Henderson. NAVAL AIRMEN WHO TEST NEW AIRPLANES Above, the test board at Naval Air Station An: Lieut. Edward R. Rounds, Li the latest plane which has st Wednesday. veceived la Left to right, (. Miles, Con Loening amphil at. Comdr. Arthu ved for testing, ary jeut. George R. Henderso ruction Corps; Licut. F. R. an with an ai Lieut. S. W. Buee. -cooled motor which was ht. Round and round at the same altitude, the various instru- ¢ an_hour, monotonous i the field. alw read and re ments_ever: then down and a fuel is heinz mea Refuel and | away on another run at a different | speed of the engine. All told, four runs are made at speeds varving be. | tween full out and slightly below | cruising. 1 tability Determined. Stability and maneuverability are| next determined by each member of the test board. This enables the mem- bers to get in a little “stunting” as they must find out just how well a plane loops, rolls, spins, flies upside down and what not. Particular at- tention is given to the operation of the controls and the response to normal pressur on the rudder, ailerons or flippers. If the specifications call for radio the next step is to install and test this equipment in flight. Finally, all ore nance equipment called for is installc and the plane is flown “as in battle. Wednes, afternoon the section received a new | Loening amphil Whitney air-cooled engine. pro engirc mounting. designed to carry an inverted 12-cylinder water-cooled engine, has been redesigned to ac- commodate the nine-cylinder radial P. This ship will join the line land and seaplanes ever ready for test, and will be put through the fore- going trials as described by Lieut The plane per has not been touched. but the Ships Being Tested. The other ships now being tested are DT6, Douglas torpedo plane with a geared Wright Cyclone air-cooled ninecylinder radial _engine -of - 550 horsepower; XF3B. Boeing shipboard fighter, resembling, to a degree, the Boeing pursuit planes used by both the Army and Navy: XJR, Ford all- metal three-engined monoplane; T2D, twin-engined ( ight Cyclone) bomb- ing plane; T3M2, modified T3M1 now in service with the fleet as a long. tance scouting, bombing and torped: plane, and powered with an §00-ho power Packard water-cooled engine; XT4M, otherwise known as the Mar- tin 74, new single-engined bomber with the Pratt & Whitney Hornet air- cooled radial engine of 550 horse- power; TBI, huge single-engined Boeing bomber, powered with a Pack- ard $00-horsepower watercooled en- Comanche fitted with a Pratt air-cooled engine Wasp | of 400 horsepower, and which was sub- & Whitney mitted after the first Comanche lost its wings in a dive several weeks ago. In all, the members of the test board spend an average of 75 hours in the air each month on flight test work alone. Ruins of Greek City Of 400 B.C. Found | In Soviet Moldavia By the Associated Press. ODESSA, Ru: —Ruips of an ancient Greek city of the fourth ventury before Christ have been discovered on the left shore of the Dniester River near the village of urti, in Soviet Moldavis The arca thus far explored is said to comprise about 30 acros and contains ruins of houses, black and red painted pottery, Greek and other objects. It is ought to be one of the numerous k colonies founded by the in trepid early Greek trade: Established 32 Years Specials Monday and Tuesday. Complete Outfit, With Case and Cleaner Included Genuine Toric KRYPTOK Invisible Bifocal Lenses Fine Quality Shell Frames Finest Quality Toric Spherical Lenses First and best quality. pair to see near and far). gpeeds. Since the run must be made at an altitude of 3,000 feet in a standard atmosphere, it is necessary to consider ground pressure and air | By the Federal Government, Tennessee offi- | cials said. An adjustment of the unusual situation is expected here. KAHN on 7th St. Kryptok Bifocal Lenses — (one lenses made. Sold regularly $15. Special Price Monday and Tuesday KAHN OPTICAL CO. 617 Seventh St. N.W. |rempersture at e wme ot e 0204 U, S. Military Planes Equal Europe’s, - Says Davis_[{po‘riRthurnfrom Abroad o Press | e to hi sk in the War Depar | after a trip to Europe, prep: ckle the task of flood control and | with the conviction that there was| no reason for Americans to have an | “inferiority complex” over military | aviation The War Secretary said he may take a trip of inspection soon over | pi River flood arvea. | TWO DEAD, FIVE MAY DIE ‘ IN SCIOTO TRAIL CRASH| Motor Cars Meet Head-on, Result- ing Fatally for Members of Chillicothe Families. By the Associated Piess ASHLAND, Ky. August persons were killed and five injured as | the result of an automobile accident | on the Scioto Trail. mear here, late to- day. The dead are Mildred Hopper and Dewey Howell, both of Chillicothe Ohio and the injured, Jessie McClain and Mrs. An lain, Chillicothe, and Harry Gillenwater, his wife and J. R. Gillenwater, negroes. The five injured were taken to a K . hospital, where it ns held little hope for Portsmouth, was said ph: their recovery. The. acciderit occurred . when the automobiles driven by Gillenwater and | Jesse McClain collided head-on. $335,000 BONDS UNPAID, U. S. STOPS STATE AID| $6,000 Federal Contribution to| Tennessee Held Up for Old Obligations. By the Associated Press NASHVILLE. Tenn.. August 27.— Because of $335,000 of Tennessee bonds held by the Federal Govern- ment are unpaid, ‘ment of a $6,000 Federal - contribution (o ma- ternity and child welfare work in Tennessee has been stopped by the United States Treasury. The unpaid bonds date from 1832 Lo 1855. Tenn ec is at present re- celving approximately $2,000,000 an- nually in Federal aid funds and State officials were questioning today | whether all of oad, school and health _funds be simifarly affected Unpaid old bonds of several other Southern States also are held by the would H. Kelly, United States auto- ve trade commissioner to Europe, has reported to Department of Com- merce that a “restaurant plane” has been placed in daily operation on the air line hetween Paris and London, in which a cold luncheon. including lobsters, duck. veal, ham, salad, cheese, fruits and coffee, wine or tea is served. An electric stove for pre- paring warm food is to be installed. forsee Tuberculosls among Eskimos is pre- valent because of crowded conditions in their homes i Established 32 Years EYES EXAMINED FREE Three Registered Optometrists in Attendance 30 Toric Best 7 .90 (BETWEEN F AND G STREETS) Davis returned vesterday | The work being done by the Mis- sissippi Commission and Army engi- neers will continue unabated, he said, in an effort to work out definite plans presen- for flood control in time for tation to Congr “American Army wholesome aviation, especi: ar o re concerned.” port development development The great in found by Secretary gely dependent upon government dies. He pralsed the European system of weather re- porting by which, every two hours, complete accounts of atmospheric conditions over all r routes are C., AUGUST 28, BALDWIN ASSAILS COMMUNIST SPIRIT Premier Finds Canada Free| From lts Influence, but Re- grets Home Tendencies. August Baldwin, newly return- eulogized the Domin- ion in an address before 20,000 people “a land_of | here this afternoon, as good wages and unlimited possibil ities." Alluding to the prosperity of Can- ada, he said: “It has been built up prima by British brains, capital and he secret of its success character."” erence to the stability of the Dominion, the premier said: “It is a striking contrast, coming back from Canada to my own country. Are the leaders here not satisfied to seek the millenium unless they can get it by methods of communism? Tt is a long way from Canada to communism, but it is a v short way from communism to disastor. Np Cause for Pessimism. The prime minister went on to as- sert that it was the threat of turmoil that had caused most of Great Rrit- ain's difficulties last year. He had hoped that the improvement in the country’s general position would have heen more marked. Nevertheless, there had been considerable improve- ment, and there was no cause for pessimism. “I helieve that the majority of our people have had enough forest fires | of industrial upheaval raging in the land.” Mr. Baldwin said. “Any fool can fire a forest or a city who can never plant a tree or build a house. 1 look to the leaders of the trade unions to give a lead toward national prosperity. “Have we learned nothing in the last two centuries? Cannot we co- { operate with one another instead of fighting the State, which is our child? What guarantee can Maxton (chaf man of the Independent Labor party) vone else give that a few months’ turmoil will not be followed by cen turies of degradation?, “They had a few months' turmoil in Russia, followed hy 10 years of tyranny and degradation. It was the knowledge of this that led us, after prolonged provocation, to expel the Russian trade delezates. British The Annual Flower Show of the Federal- American National Bank Will be held at the bank All day wnd evening Monday and Tuesday EVERY ONE WELCOME 1927—PART 1. merchants are us free to trade with Russia as before, and it is for them to say whether the present conditions are sufficiently stable to make the business worth while. Has Little Value. “If we judge our Russian trade as it was before the war, or her actual capacity to trade and pay today. such trade is not worth mentioning in comparison with the possibilities of trade within the Empire. “What are we golng to do now?" he asked. *I leave the question to you to answer, and upon your answer will depend the prosperity of the country and the happiness of your children " LEAVE NICARAGUA QUIET. PANAMA, August 27 (#).—Brig Gen. Feland, commanding the United States Marines in Nicaragua, arrived from Corinto today with 300 Marires abozrd tl-a transport Argonne, bound for New York. Gen. Feland reports quiet in Nica ragua, where the native constabulary gradually is taking over the pelicing of the country. Marines are being withdrawn from interior points as rapidly as the con- stabulary is ready to assume control. A The entire building thrown open to vghlic | 1 { INMATE OF ALMSHOUSE SLAIN OVER BED QUILT Blind Musician Accused of Stab- Ling Fellow Resident During Quarrel. By the Associated Press BLUEFIELD, W. Va . August 27 — A quarrel hetween two inmates of the Tazewell. Va.. County poorhouse over possession of a bed-quilt. made de- sirable by the chilly weather, ended tonight in the slaying of one of them Gus Whitt, 61, blind musician of the southern West Virginia coal field, was committed to the Tazewell jail | charged with the fatal stabbing of Charles McClare. 73 County officlals in making known the cause of the quarrel said Whitt slashed McClare's cheeks ufter stabbing him in the heart, Whitt and his wife entered the in- stitution only a few dayvs ago. The woman witnessed the fight, but de- clined to make a statement. - Automobiles are expected to be the means of transportation in the high altitudes of Bolivi because horses cannot stand the work, and llams are suitable only as pack animals. The New Essex Peerless Furniture Co., 829 7th St. N.W. MONDAY We Offer You " Your Choice of 47 SUITES AT ONE $ PRICE e J 101 YOUTH SLAYS FATHER. Reprimand for Driving 'Family Auto Causes Fatality. CANTON. Ohfo. August 27 P.— Robert Lightner, 16, was held in jail today following the shooting to death of his father last night after he had been reprimanded and whipped for driving the family automobile with- out permission. No charge has yet been filed against the lad. After the reprimanding the boy crept up behind his father and shot him in the head and back. e FILM COUPLE SEPARATE. LOS ANGELES, Calif., August 27 (#).—Lowell Sherman of the film and stage and his wife, Pauline Garon. of the films, have separated. Ru- mors of the domestic break. which have been circulating for some time in Hollywood. were confirmed when a notice was published yesterday in a legal journal by Sherman stating he would no longer be responsible for his wife's debts. They were married in New York, “ebruary 15, 1926, Super-Six New All-Time Leader of Motor Values Values $150 to $250 3-piece quard Velour Suites, 5 piece Bedroom Suites, 8 and 9 piece Dining Room Suites. Bed ‘' Davenport Suites, Carved Frame Suites, Mchair Suites, 3-piece Jac- 3,4 and No Matter Which Suite You Select All You Pay is $101 Qut-of-Town Customers Get the Same Low Prices and Terms and We Prepay Freight! 829 7th St. N.W. Near Eye St. On sale tomorrow, 47 suites that formerly sold at $150 to $250. Any suite will be held free of charge for future delivery. anteed for quality and workman- ship. Liberal credit terms to all. Each suite guar-