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Aviation History
1925
1925 - 0596.PDF
SEPTEMBER 17, 1925 THE SAN FRANCISCO-HONOLULU FLIGHT The Missing P.N.9 Flying-Boat Found As reported in last week's FLIGHT, one of the two U.S. Navy P.N.9 flying-boats which started from San Francisco on August 31 in an attempt to fly to Honolulu, Hawaii (a distance of 2,400 miles), was forced to descend, owing to lack of fuel, when only some 300 miles from Honolulu. Strong head- winds encountered on the last stage of the journey was the cause of their running short of petrol. When Commander John Rodgers, who was in charge of the P.N. 9, No. 1, sent out his S.O.S. by wireless on September 1, stating that he would be forced to descend owing to lack of fuel, various U.S. Naval craft and seaplanes spent over a week searching the seas for the missing flying-boat and its crew of five, but without success. It was not until September 10 that the Submarine R.4, which was on its way to meet the fleet homeward bound from the Australian trip, and was diverted from its course with the forlorn hope of tracing the missing P.N.9, located the latter about 15 miles N.W. of Kauai Island—to which spot the machine had drifted nearly 500 miles from where it descended. Only the wrings of the machine were damaged, and the crew were well and happy, although naturally somewhat of Kauai turned out to greet them, and many Hawaiians swam out to sea to meet them, while on September 11 they were given a congratulatory banquet by the Hawaiians. Needless to say, the news of their rescue was received with considerable rejoicing throughout the United States, and in New York especially there were wild scenes of enthusiasm. The U.S. Navy Department has announced that Commander Rodgers has been appointed Assistant Chief of the Naval Bureau of Aeronautics. Besides Commdr. John Rodgers, who is the son of Rear- Admiral John A. Rodgers, U.S. Navy, the others of the crew comprised Lieut. B. J. Connell, Chief Machinist's Mate S. R. Pope, W. M. Bowlin, and Chief Radio Operator O. G. Stantz. As regards the machine ; seeing that except for damage to the wings, partially intentional, the flying boat was in perfect condition when picked up, in spite of its 10-day buffeting in sometimes very heavy seas, a few brief particulars of the P.N.9 should be of interest. The P.N.9 is a twin-engined metal-hull flying boat, which has developed through various stages from the F-5-L flying boat—the American version (war-time) of our F.5 or Felix- Two views of the P.N.9 twin-engined flying boat, one of which made such a remarkable flight last week from San Francisco to the Hawaiian Islands. exhausted after their 218 hours of drifting helplessly on the sea—for their food had given out on the fifth day. When the flying-boat was forced to descend a trppical storm was raging, but they managed to alight safely in spite of the rough sea. On the second day a merchant vessel was sighted about five miles off. In spite of their repeated signals, however, the steamer continued on its way. The only other ray of hope experienced by the 'plane wrecked crew was a far-off view of a seaplane—apparently looking for them—on September 8. From time to time they picked up on their wireless reports regarding the search then in progress, including a final message broadcast from destroyers stating that a conference of searchers had decided that P.N.9, No. 1, and its crew were undoubtedly lost—" which " said one of the latter, " made us very angry." Of course, while they could receive messages, they were unable to transmit owing to the absence of an aerial, which was, during flight, suspended below the hull. After their food had given out, they had to subsist on water—rainwater caught in some of the fabric torn from the wings, and seawater distilled by means of a small still, thoughtfully provided by Commander Rodger's mother. Naturally, by the time they were located by the submarine they were beginning to feel the effects of their exposure and' intense heat of the Pacific sun. Commander Rodgers and his crew refused to leave their craft when the submarine came alongside, and remained on board while the submarine towed the flying-boat to Nawiliwiki, Kauai Island, and thus virtually completed their journey from San Francisco. They were supplied with food from the submarine. Just before they reached shore the tow line broke, and the machine narrowly escaped being wrecked on a reef. They still re- mained on board, however, eventually regained full control and reached shore safely. Practically the whole population stowe boats. In 1923 the U.S. Naval Aircraft Factory constructed the first of the P.N developments—the P.N.7. This craft had two 525 h.p. Wright engines and possessed many improvements on the F-5-L. It put up many notable performances, and towards the end of 1923 designs of a similar type, but built around a metal hull, were put in hand. This machine, the P.N.8, proved entirely satisfactory, but a desire to increase the cruising range resulted in the P.N.9 type. In this model two 480 h.p. Packard lA-1,500 (12-cyl. water- cooled " V ") engines were installed. The construction of the hull—which has, we think, demonstrated its soundness in the 'Frisco-Honolulu Flight—follows very closely the structural type of the " F-5 " wooden hull. A slightly greater beam has been adopted in order that the displacement is at least equal to that of the wooden ones. It is entirely of aluminium alloy, except for certain highly stressed fittings ; and the covers over the petrol .compartment, where wood framing with plywood and fabric covering is retained. All transverse bracing is done by bulkheads. The keelson is a built-up " I " section, weighing about 45 lbs., on either side of which are rolled " C " sections used as longitudinal stringers carrying the loads to main cross frames, spaced approximately 3 ft. on centre. Five watertight bulkheads are provided for strength and buoyancy in case of leakage if disabled at sea. The bottom is especially rugged, the main portion being made from -081 in. heat-treated aluminium alloy. The arrangements for the crew do not vary greatly from that employed on the F-5-L ; the navigating compartment is forward, the two pilots (seated side by side) come next, then the petrol compartment, and behind this comes the W-T station followed by a gun cockpit. The 10 main petrol tanks are of aluminium, and ordinarily have a total capacity of about 1,200 gals. Aluminium alloy tubing is employed for 596
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