Squier, 1908, Present Status of Military Aeronautics
- Major George O. Squier, U.S.A. "The Present Status of Military Aëronautics". The Metal Worker, Plumber and Steam Fitter LXX(24), 12 December 1908, pp. 49–56.
Covers prominent dirigible LTA balloons in the national military forces of France, Germany, England, and the USA, then discusses the major airplane types, and concludes with speculation about the role of aircraft in war.
USA
Description of Signal Corps Specification Number 486 and subsequent award to Wright Brothers and to Augustus Moore Herring:
On December 23, 1907, the Signal Corps of the Army issued a public advertisement and specification calling for bids for furnishing the Government with a heavier than air flying machine capable of carrying one passenger besides the aviator, and remain in the air on an endurance test for 1 hr. without landing, and over a measured course of more than 5 miles, against and with the wind, attain a minimum speed of 36 miles per hour. The machine must, in addition carry fuel for a continuous flight of not less than 125 miles. Contracts were awarded to the Wright brothers of Dayton, Ohio, for the sum of $25,000 for a 40-mile speed, and also to A. M. Herring of New York for the sum of $20,000. The result of issuing this specification, as well as a similar one for supplying a small dirigible balloon for the preliminary training of the men of the Signal Corps, was an awakening of interest in this subject throughout the country to such an extent that the Signal Office continues to receive daily a large number of letters, plans, and models proposing manifold schemes for navigating the air (p. 49).
Vessels
France
England
- British Army Dirigible No 1 (Nulli Secundus)
Germany
Airplane types
- Farman type
- Blériot type
- June Bug
- Wright Military Flyer
- Herring airplane?
Military aeronautics
Aero arms race:
If each of the great powers of the world would agree that aërial warfare should not be carried on, the subject would be of no great interest to this country as far as our military policy is concerned, but until such an agreement is made this country is forced to an immediate and serious consideration of this subject in order to be prepared for any eventuality. The identical reasoning which has led to the adoption of a policy of providing for increasing out navy year by year to maintain our relative supremacy on the sea, is immediately applicable to military control of the air. If the policy in respect to the navy is admitted, there is no escape from the deduction that we should proceed in the development of ships of the air on a scale commensurate with the position of the nation. The question as to whether or not the powers will ultimately permit the use of aërial ships in war is not at present the practical one, because in case such use is authorized it will be too late adequately to equip ourselves after war has been declared (p. 55).
Uses
- reconnaissance and communication
- transport of cargo and passengers
- bombing
By keeping high in the air in day time, and descending at night, they may launch high explosives, producing great damage. Being able to pass over armies, and proceed at great speeds, their objectives would not usually be the enemy's armies, but their efforts would be directed against his base of supplies; to destroy his dry docks, arsenals, ammunition depots, principal railroad centers, storehouses, and indeed the enemy's navy itself.
It is thought that there will be little difficulty in launching explosives with accuracy, provided good maps and plans are available. Due to the small cost of such ships, as compared with naval vessels, the risk of loss would be readily taken (p. 55).
Difficulty: providing safe "interior harbors" where grounded balloon fleets can remain protected — from the wind.
Use of the airplane:
The aëroplane, as has been pointed out, is likely to prove a flying machine of comparatively low tonnage and high speed. It is not likely to become a burden bearing ship, at least in single units, but will be extremely useful for reconnoitering purposes, for dispatching important orders and instructions at high speed, for reaching inaccessible points, or for carrying individuals of high rank and command to points where their personality is needed.
