AERONAUTICS: World’s Largest

World’s Largest:

The Barling Bomber carries 5,000 lbs. of bombs, 6 tons of gasoline, has a gross weight of 20 tons. Its three huge wings measure 120 feet from tip to tip and is propelled through the air by six Liberty motors with combined power of 2,400 horsepower. On its maiden trip, Lieutenant Harold H. Harris of McCook Field flew over Dayton, O., at an altitude of 2,500 feet and a speed of more than 90 miles per hour with complete confidence and without the shadow of a mishap. Even the most blasé Army pilots experienced a feeling of awe when they saw this giant craft in the air, and a thrill at the moment of landing—landing for any new plane is a crucial test, but the Barling floated easily upon the grass of Wilbur Wright Field in spite of its enormous bulk. This is the largest airplane in the world and spells a tremendous achievement for the Air Service. The possibility of carrying large bombs has great military value. The perfect coördination of six engines means wonderful reliability, since even if two engines fail at one time the Barling can continue its flight untroubled. A plane of this tremendous capacity and perfect reliability has obvious possibilities in commercial aviation.