Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 91.djvu/216

 America's Biggest Flying Machine

Glenn Curtiss builds a giant airplane for the Navy By Carl Dientsbach

��IN no craft are the drawbacks of small size so manifest as in aircraft. Flying in a disturbed atmosphere is never less severe than navigating an angry ocean.

���into a true "whaleback" to become at least really seaworthy. In its new extreme size and shape it promises to supersede that homely compromise, the "seaplane," a moderately enlarged airplane mounted on high stilts on a catamaran "surf boat." Not infrequently, these stilted floats were broken off by the waves through which they cut better than small flying boats. The smooth, shapely hull of the new flying yacht which Glenn Curtiss has built for our Navy, is one piece with the extremely strongly built planes like the auxil-

��intricate observations; shells must be dodged, exact aim with bombs and machine guns taken, and rapid maneuvers carried out in aerial combat.

Increase the size of the airplane and at one stroke seemingly insur- mountable difficulties are overcome. Exacting duties may be divided among a more numerous crew. Strong celluloid windows protect the men from storm and cold ; no ham- pering clothing or goggles are re- quired ; there is space to move about; numerous instruments and conveniences can be provided and handled at ease. Airmen have to thank the ocean for all these bless- ings. No mere cockle shell of an airplane can ride the waves as a naval airplane must. The old "flying boat" had eventually not only to be vastly enlarged, but also completely decked over and turned

���The smooth, shapely hull of the new Curtis flying yacht is in one piece with extremely strong planes

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