Viewing page 11 of 38

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[underlined]] N. C. SEAPLANE- DIVISION ONE [[/underlined]]

From: Engineering Officer, N-C-4.

To: Commanding Officer, N-C-4.

Subject: Report on S. E. items in connection with the Trans-Atlantic flight with the N-C-4

Enclosure: (A) Tabulated results.

1. During the Trans-Atlantic flight from Rockaway to Plymouth the following troubles were experienced and are given as nearly as possible in chronological order.

(A) At Rockaway it was found necessary to replace the semi-rotary auxilliary gasoline pump by one of the old type. These semi-rotary pumps are not suitable as now constructed to handle a large load of gasoline, as the valves leak and the construction is weak.

(B) Between Rockaway and Halifax, owing to the high consumption of the two center engines, the oil level became too low, the oil thickened and would not flow through the strainers. The forward engine bearings were burned out in consequence and a connecting rod broken. At Chatham the strainers were removed and more oil used, no further trouble from this cause ensued. A low compression engine was installed in place of the forward center high compression engine.

(C) At Chatham, Halifax, and Ponta Delgado at least one carburetor jet became clogged with bits of rubber. This was directly traceable to poorly designed and poorly constructed rubber gasoline joints.

(D) At Chatham a starter was broken. This was the fault of the inexperienced local mechanics who installed it and not that of the starter.

(E) At Halifax a second starter was broken. In this case also it was due to carelessness. The turn-off valve to the primer having been left open a cylinder filled with gasoline and when the engine was cranked over the piston came up against a full cylinder of gasoline, thus causing a tooth on the starter gear to give away.

(F) Between Chatham and Halifax, Halifax and Trepassey, and Trepassey and Horta, the forward center tachometer shaft failed; between Ponta Delgado and Lisbon the rear center shaft 

^[[(B)]]