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46      U. S. AIR SERVICES     August, 1931

[[image - photograph of a Curtiss Helldiver aircraft]]
[[caption]] THE NAVY HAS ORDERED THIRTY MORE SHIPS OF THIS TYPE, MAKING A TOTAL OF SIXTY-FOUR [[/CAPTION]] 

Curtiss "Helldivers" Being Built for the Navy

The Navy Department announces the award of a contract to the Curtiss Airplane & Motor Company for the building of 30 airplanes of the Helldiver type, the total amounting to $433,235.75.  These airplanes are a two-seater observation type, designated by the Navy as the O2C-1, and are powered with R-1340 engines, developing 450 h.p.  They are similar in many respects to the Curtiss Navy Fighter F8C-4, used aboard the aircraft carriers in two-seater fighter tactical work, a new phase of Navy aerial warfare introduced into the recent Navy Maneuvers in Panama.  The O2C-1 is also in use by the Marine Corps as an expeditionary observation airplane by the East Coast Expeditionary Forces at Quantico, Va., and by Marine Corps Aviation detachments in Nicaragua.

The award of the present contract for 30 Curtiss Helldivers marks the continuation of a Navy program for equipping all Naval Reserve Squadrons with latest Service Type airplanes.  The Curtiss Airplane & Motor Company is at present building 34 airplanes of the same type for use of the Naval Reserve, which with the new contract for 30, will give these Squadrons a total of 64 airplanes of this type.

Special features of the airplane include fuel capacity of 120 gallons, which is greater than the normal fuel load of previous Navy observation types, a rear cockpit designed especially for protection of the gunner when he is in any position, and when the airplane is traveling at high rates of speed.  The latest tail wheel of steerable type is incorporated, which when used alone or in conjunction with the wheel brakes, assures good control on the ground.  The engines are cowled with the recently developed Curtiss Anti-Drag ring cowls which give added speed.  The comparatively narrow span of this type of airplane provides the Naval Reserve with an airplane having maneuverability comparing favorably to those of the fighting Squadrons of the aircraft carriers to which many of the Naval Reserve officers have been attached during the past four years.  It is hoped that in this way these officers will be able to maintain their efficiency through continued flying at the Naval Reserve Bases, as well as to provide training in Service Type equipment for those who have not served with the Fleet.

The rear cockpit is also equipped for installation of standard Navy radio transmitter and receiver for the purpose of furnishing active practice in this type of work.

TRANSCONTINENTAL and Western Air, Inc., operating between New York and Los Angeles, carrying mail, express and passengers, has put out a report showing good gains in June over May -- a gain in total revenue of 9.3%, a gain in passengers carried of 16.6%, and an increase of 7% in mail.  The increase in express is the most gratifying, 23%.  This express business bears watching.  Undoubtedly it is the branch of the business that is going to bring in the increased revenue in the future.  47-1/2% of the stock of this company is owned by the Transcontinental Air Transport, Inc., and like amount by the Western Air Express, while Pittsburgh Aviation Industries Corp., keeps the control out of the hands of either by holding the remaining 5%.
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THE Department of Commerce has just completed the lighting of a fifty-mile stretch through the Columbia River Gorge, twenty-one lights on each side of the gorge marking the banks of the river.  Red lights are used on one side and green on the other.  It is the most novel type of lighting in the country and allows the pilots to fly low enough to keep out of the fog overhead and still clear the banks of the gorge.