Flying Fortresses Secret Guarded

Northern Advocate, 11 July 1938, Page 9

Flying Fortresses Secret Guarded

The construction of flying fortresses, whose efficiency was recently so wonderfully demonstrated, is one of Hie United States’ most closely-guarded secrets, writes Sam Wood, in Ihe "Adelaide Chronicle." But these flying fortresses do not constitute the last word in aerial armaments. They are constructing silent bombers in England which should prove a sensational advance.

Quito recently the whole world had the opportunity of admiring the magnificent performance accomplished by the “flying fortress" of the United States’ air fleet. A performance which, consisting of a journey from Miami to Buenos Aires and back again, entailed a flight of over 10,COO miles, above seas, mountains and continents.

It is unnecessary to add that the flight was followed with great interest by various foreign Powers, for the achievements demonstrated the great advance in technical development of American aerial navigation. The fact that many Powers would be glad of the opportunity to procure units of these "flying fortresses” and other models of American aviation gives significance to an event; which occurred shortly after the achievement related above. President Roosevelt asked for the dossier bearing the title "The Espionage Act; of June, 1917.” When taken out of its drawer, it. was found to contain the text of a law, voted more than 20 years ago. relative to espionage. What did the President want with this old war-time law, was the question asked at the White House.

Export Refused

Some hours after his perusal of the dossier, President Roosevelt dispatched cables to various parts of Europe, first to the British Air Ministry—“ Regret. unable to execute orders in view of Espionage Act, 1917,” was the wording. He purposely used this old law — which had never been formally repeal • ed —to hinder the export to foreign countries of American aircraft. For the moment, this interdiction has only been decreed for two years, that is, until the time when the gigantic rearmament programme of the United States will have been realised.

In reality, the evocation of espionage—although this problem does exist —was only a pretext on the part of the President, for he had no intention ot letting the foreigner into the secrets of American manufacture. Nevertheless, for some years, every country has succeeded without difficulty in obtaining aircraft and air-engines from the United States; China was the best customer, then came Japan, Russia, Germany, France, Spain, Siam, Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, Czechoslovakia, Honduras and Holland. If now the Government of Uncle Sam is turning away this vast clientele, it is because American aircraft factories are flooded with orders from the national Air Ministry. The construction of the flying fortresses is one of the most closelyguarded secrets of American aircraft manufacture. Officials of the Air Ministry and the Ministry of National Defence are unable to tell the position of the factory that produces these magnificent engines, for only a few officers of the General Staff know the secret. i.„ ry , - ilki&L Quick Construction.

The engines. are constructed and mounted in one place, the armament and the machines are manufactured somewhere else. Nevertheless, it is certain that the “Boeing 17" type is operated by four Wright Cyclone engines, each of 1000 horsepower. The six (lying fortresses possessed by the. (Inited States at the moment have been constructed in record lime, three others are almost ready, and four new machines are in course of construction. The ’planes each cost the trifling sum of 250,000 dollars—£o2,ooo. However, they are a minor feature of the programme of American aircraft construction—a programme embodying 614 new seaplanes and 750 other aircraft*

Naturally this formidable programme of re-armament constitutes a windfall for the industries working for national defence. The net profits of five concerns manufacturing aircraft reached 2,000,000 dollars by the first half-year of 1937, as against 700,000 dollars for the corresponding period of 193 6. This year, a 100 per cent, increase in profits is expected.

The pick of American pilots were chosen for the flight of the six flying fortresses, the honour of commanding the squadron falling to LieutenantColonel Robert Odds, an officer under thirty years of age. Odds had received the invitation from President Roosevelt himself, who wished him good luck on the flight. Then began the adventure—one uf the most magnificent performances ever achieved by a bombing squadron. Tens of thousands of tourists and holiday-makers invaded Miami to witness the departure, and scarcely 28 hours later the fliers reached their objective, more than 5000 miles distant. The expedition passed over Lima, the capital of Peru. Santiago and Chile, above the dangerous Andes.

In Bad Conditions

The atmospheric conditions wore as bad as they could be; on two occasions the planes had to climb to 24,000 feet. On arrival at Buenos Aires, the crowd witnessed an amazing scone: a terrible storm obscured the sky, illuminated

only by intermittent flashes of light

ning. At the exact moment given by the radio announcement, the six giant machines burst out of the darkness like meteors and. approaching at an incredible speed, made a perfect landing.

The experts declare that. in the event of war, the effect of these bombers will surpass anything that has yetbeen seen in this domain. The load of bombs carried by the thirteen flying fortresses which the United States will soon possess would be sufficient to annihilate a fairly large town in one raid. Their speed of 250 miles an hour makes anti-aircraft fire ineffective. However, the flying fortresses do not constitute the last word in aerial armaments. At this moment, in England. are being constructed a number of "silent bombers," that is to say, noiseless machines, which, if they prove effective, will also be adopted by the United States, by virtue of an agreement between the two countries. The technique of the construction of military aircraft, has today crossed limits which only a few months ago were regarded as inaccessible. Distressed humanity can only hope that one day these gigantic machines will be thrown on the scrape-heap without having accomplished the task for which they were designed.