Viewing page 45 of 77

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Page 42

[[left column]]

[[image]]
Trouble for Air Invaders
The old argument over effectiveness of anti-aircraft guns is being revived in training manoeuvers of 62nd Coast Artillery at Fort Tilden, Rockaway Beach, N.Y. Nope, not a loud speaker, but a sound ranger adapted for anti-aircraft use. Note helmets on listeners attached to tubes from horns by means of which approaching planes can be located before they are visible.

[[Left column]]
(Continued from Page 30)
I had on several occasions seen the official pictures of the Air Service taken in France by the U.S. Signal Corps. These pictures were not only uninteresting but also unsatisfactory despite the best efforts on the part of experienced photographers. After viewing 'Wings' however, I knew that no one need miss seeing the actual manner in which our Air Force conducted its warfare in France.
"The technical detail of 'Wings' is carried out to such extremely elaborate point that only a man familiar with the airdromes in the Zone of advance could find the slightest flaw in the sets and material. The ships the American pilots flew were close copies of the Spads, and to a lesser degree, were the German machines, Fokkers. The terrain over which the pictures were taken was similar in every way to the country of France north of Bar-le-Duc.
"The flying and pictures of the take-offs, formations, and attacks are splendidly done and leave nothing to the imagination. Outside of the fact that Toul aerodrome was the only one in the Zone of advance that was ever big enough for a flight to go off in formation, these parts of the film were true copies of the work in the war."
A famous British ace, Captain W.G. Campbell, who was credited with fourteen German planes, and Lieutenant Ted Parsons, one of the leading aces of the Lafayette Escadrille, rendered invaluable assistance to Director William Wellman in the filming of "WINGS".
Captain Campbell plays the role in "Wings" of a British ace who receives a decoration for valor together with Charles Rogers and Richard Arlen, the two American heroes of the photoplay. 
Lieutenant Parsons, who ranks with Lieutenant James J. Connelly and Major Charles J. Biddle as the ranking ace among Americans is officially credited with having downed eight enemy fliers. He is a native of Holyoke, Massachusetts, and was a companion of Director Wellman while he was in the Escadrille. Atmospheric touches suggested by such veteran birdmen, together with the story provided by John Monk Saunders, also a war pilot, and the amazing stunt flying executed by the greatest aviators of the American army, combine to make "WINGS" a marvelous show for all who ever have flown, would like to fly or are interested in aviation.

[[Right Column]]
(Continued from Page 23)
arranged a semi-military plan of organization whereby the Captain of a Squadron will be empowered to rate as first and second Lieutenants in the ASPA, such members as have successfully completed ten hours "solo" flying with his unit. The ASPA has designed a very attractive uniform which is now worn by many of its flying members. The individual member purchases his own uniform, which is of dark blue material, roll collar, patch pockets and either slacks or breeches. Black riding books and black Sam Brown complete the detail. Silver wings worn on the breast denote that the wearer is a pilot. Wings worn on the sleeve denote that the wearer is a cadet.
From the humble start of twelve war pilots gathered in the Army and Navy Club, New York City, in 1925 we now have over 10,000 members, a great percentage of whom are red hot aviation enthusiasts. New Squadrons and Flights are being organized every week. The work is catching on with wonderful rapidity and before 1928 is ended we hope to see inter-club flying meets a thing of weekly occurrence. 

[[image]]
New Map Plotting Device 
Called the Aerocartograph and is the invention of Professor R. Hugershoff, Doctor of Engineering and Professor of Geodosy. The device is claimed to be the last word in aerial photography giving correct measurements of hills and valleys.