78

UNITED STATES NAVAL AVIATION 1910-1995

1930-Contin ued

31 January Lieutenant Ralph S. Barnaby made a

successful air-to-ground glider flight, dropping from

the rigid dirigible Los Angeles (ZR-3) at an altitude of

3,000 feet over Lakehurst, N.J.

7 February Action to develop a means of recovering

seaplanes by ships underway was initiated by a

request from the Bureau of Aeronautics that the Naval

Aircraft Factory study the problem and work up

designs for a system adaptable in recovering seaplanes

of the 02U-3 type.

14 February The first monoplane designed for carri-

er operations, a Boeing Model 205 fighter later pur-

chased by the Navy and designated XF5B-l, was deliv-

ered to NAS Anacostia, D.C., for test. The Board of

Inspection and Survey in its report commented

adversely on the XF5B-l's landing, takeoff and high

altitude characteristics, but recommended further

development to obtain a rational comparison of mono-

plane and biplane types.

15 February The design of retractable landing gear,

particularly attractive for use in fighting planes

because of its promise to improve performance and

thereby enhance military value, had progressed to the

point that the Naval Aircraft Factory was authorized to

construct working models as a means of establishing

the practicability of various retracting mechanisms.

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21 March The Martin XT5M-l, first dive bomber

designed to deliver a 1,000-pound bomb, met strength

and performance requirements in diving tests.

21 April The Bureau of Navigation issued a circular

letter directing that no more enlisted applicants be rec-

ommended for pilot training. When men already in the

system or under instruction completed their course in

early 1932, this order caused a temporary lull in enlist-

ed pilot training.

22 April A naval treaty was signed at London,

England, by the signatories of the Washington Naval

Treaty which carried forward the general limitations of

that earlier agreement and provided for further reduc-

tions of naval armament. Under the terms applicable to

Naval Aviation, the definition of an aircraft carrier was

broadened to include ships of any tonnage designed

primarily for aircraft operations; and it was agreed that

installation of a landing-on or flying-off platform on a

warship designed and used primarily for other purpos-

es would not make that ship an aircraft carrier; and fur-

ther, that no capital ship in existence on 1 April 1930

would be fitted with such a platform or deck.

31 May The last Curtiss Marine Trophy Race, an

annual event for service seaplanes, was won by

Captain Arthur H. Page, USMC, in an F6C-3 Curtiss

fighter with a speed of 164.08 mph. The race was

staged over the Potomac off NAS Anacostia, D.C.

FiJ:5t experimental monoplane fighter, XF5B-1 460387

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