AMERICA'S LIBERTY AIR MOTORS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1918, Page 1

AMERICA'S LIBERTY AIR MOTORS

PROD V CTJON RTvBOBTS. NEW A T ORK, June 20. The manufacture ot aircraft lor war uses is daily gaining momentum in the United States as more linns pass the stage of preparation and enter the stage of production. Tt requires many months to get a factory ready to produce an aeroplane engine in quantities or to produce the ’plane in which the engine will be used in quantities. Months have been spent in the preparatory stages. These stages embrace the designing and production of factory machinery necessary for the quick manufacture of many parts of the aeroplane engine. An equally long period has been necessary to make the jigs which enable (lie quick manufacture of aav paid. One jig may make it possible Lo drill a score or more of bolt holes in a easting at one time. Such a device is a great economiser of time, but months are needed to get a complete equipment of such apparatus. Since last fall the fact (tries have been busy on this work, and it is now practically completed, and the production ot the. next few months should hear goon testimony to the efforts of the last few months.

Four concerns are now manufacturing Liberty engines in production quantities, and three others should be in production liy July. Over 1500 of these engines have been produced, although it. is only eleven months since the first incomplete sample engines were assembled. In a .recent report from Europe on the length of time required from the designing of an aircraft engine until production on it was started, it was stated that twelve months are ineeded. Our programme on (Liberty engines is greatly in .advance ot this, in that over. 1500 engines have been produced within a year from the time the first plans and designs were decided

upon. The production of ’planes for the engine will soon be keeping step with engines as tbi 1 delays that ha\ e occuiiod in the equipment needed for the ’planes are overcome. This has held progress back very materially. One large concern has been in production of ’planes for fighting purposes for many mouths, but shipment of these has been held up, due to delays in eonneetiou with the fitting of equipment. One other very huge factory is getting into production so that Ihe present output should soon’ be doubled, or quadrupled: The manufacture of training 'planes has been well centralised, and production lias been up lo requirements for some tbn«.