Air Wonder Stories, December 1929 — page 27: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

FLIGHT OF THE EASTERN STAR 505 power thus created is forced: through the interior ex- hausts. Carbon and other elements, left: uncombined in the gases after they are first ignited, are in- turn forced into: a series of exploding chambers, similar to the first blocks, where they are discharged with: ter- tific force. The power thus derived, wasting not a single atom of any portion of the original fuel, and using even the neutral gases, is exerted through: the exterior driving exhausts, causing a backward pressure which forces the ship forward at a terrific velocity. “Using a catalyte of perellium, our fuel is utilized by the addition of oxygen extracted: from the atmos- phere. -The-real novelty of this ship’s propulsion prin- ciples, Mr. Rodman, is these explosive gases; the other features are secondary, because they. follow the well- known principles of -rocket. propulsion. Other: fuel- producing equipment is contained in a forward chamber where the-air is-treated withthe small quantities of perellium necessary. ‘The amazing feature of perellium is that, each time it is ignited, it forms 2 new’explosive compound of -lesser, but-still-great power. Thus, we can get-almost an infinite number of explosions with almost unlimited power. As it is, the power we get from a unit quantity is many times greater than any explosive heretofore known. The great difficulty is, how to employ this great power to its full capacity. The Eastern Stary does not utilize it-all; our mechanical apparatus is not strong enough. The man who can create a new principle for the discharge. of all the power contained in that fuel will earn for himself a greater fortune than the scientist who discovered the method of producing the gases.” “Interesting, Mr. Madden,” I said: “Very inter- esting! But isn’t there a- possibility. of this powder exploding itself in the tanks?” Madden grinned good-naturedly. “No more than gasoline in an automobile tank: will ignite itself, Mr. Rodman,” he said: “Like gasoline, our powdered fuel needs the high-voltage ignition spark to discharge it. There is no’ possibility of such a disaster.” ° “T trust not,” I said. “Let me show you our electromagnetizing units, sir,* he said. “They are really interesting to observe; although most everything ishoused up. in tight com- partments, Did you know that the Eastern Star has a surface covering entirely of cobalt-astralium-steel ?” “Cobalt-astralium-steel?” I asked: “What kind of metal is that?” “T'm only an officer of aviation, sir, not a scientist,” was his-answer, “but I'll try to explain the metal for your benefit. As near as I can explain, cobalt-steel is an alloy of metals, light and-strong, adaptable to a high degree of electromagnetism, Since it_has. been proved that Einstein's theory of relativity is correct, the new alloy has been:developed: with the addition of astralium, as the-only known insulation against gravity. The metal, highly charged with electromagnetism, to a great extent nullifies gravity. By that means the Eastern Star is capable of rising under practically negligible--power—only enough to overcome inertia. In landing, all that is necessary is to diminish gradu- ally the charge of electromagnetism and_she will drift down to the level of the anchoring towers. At the proper level she is-again insulated, and on top of the landing pylons are hidden electromagrets which attracts the: ship to anchor. safely and securely,” I was awed at this tremendous advance of aviation. T had spent many hours in the air during my life, but never in-a craft of the Eastern Star's magnitude. She ee 8 te Pe ey eee ge ee cen eee ee ee was. seemingly, the ultimate—all that man. could ever hope. for in-flying. - But I presume that, like those now obsolete; her type will eventually step aside—as did sail for steam. and steam: for electricity, like elec- tricity for gravitational nullification and so on until man has worn ‘himself ‘back to the dust! To A Rescue I WAS about to press Madden for further details when a siren alarm sounded:in the room. Instantly the crew attending to their work in that section of the ship stood tense, waiting for orders. Madden grasped me by the-arm and hustled me out through the “battery” room and up again. into the passenger quarters. Hur- tiedly we made our way through the throngs of loungers and strollers, and quickly entered the control cabin. We rushed in to find Captain Markson bending over a glowing screen. His face was twisted ina scowl. “What's up, sir?’ Madden inquired at once. I stood near the observation exposures and peered ahead. The sky seemed overcast—it had grown thus in the time -we had: spent below. I looked downward; far below the billowing Pacific was hidden. The atmosphere seemed in a turmoil-beneath us; banks of vapor twisted and writhed:in dark, boiling masses. A terrific head wind bucked: the streamlined ship and clashed with a roar. against the exhaust pressure at her tail; every sound was atidible within the enclosed control room. And the Eastern Star appeared .to be standing perfectly still in mid-air; but-I knew that she was: penetrating the:troubled skies at an unbelievable velocity. 1 shot a questioning look at the captain and his first officer as they stared into the laminous instrument. Then 1 heard Captain Markson’s muffled oath. “We are going to be held up again, Madden!” he said bitterly. “We'll have_to go to the assistance of a tramp. ship at intersection 28-12-6. The fool let his ship-run into.a high waterspout and seems to be ready to-cash his chips. Well—we’ll see what-we can doabout it! Take a turn around the ship, Madden, and see that every man is-standing by. Mr. Rodman can re- main here. I'll take the controls!” As the first officer departed, I glanced at the instru- ment panels for a chance glimpse of our- velocity and altitude. The altimeter indicator hovered~-at 49,000 feet; the velocimeter indicated 500 miles per hour. I stared at it open-mouthed, incredulous, “We'll be alongside of her. in ten minutes,” Captain Markson said, taking: the controls, “‘She’s a hundred miles to the south of us, We'll lose:another twenty-five mintites, perhaps a half hour, if she hasn’t cracked.” “You mean you'll have to average six hundred miles per hour; Captain?” I asked, astonished. He nodded as he touched a pedal on the floor with his ‘boot toe. Frozen vapor was now beating with a loud clatter orf the: glass; the particles of ice snapped against the exposures with spiteful spats, The glass within: was frosting around the edges, visibly creeping toward the-panel-centers forming a circle. The captain turned suddenly toward the control operators. “Blunt!” he snapped: “Lift her to sixty-five thou- sand until we get over this storm! Gradually now!” Tnstantly the Eastern Star’s nose pointed skyward at a gentle angle. After a short while, during which I felta tremendous weight pressing on me, Captain Mark- sont twisted a small wheel-in the center of a large con- trol, and she floated again on an even keel. I glanced at the altimeter; in the, space of not much more than a minute we had jumpéd upward from 49,000 to 65,000 ~~ ae jae i é Wad ew. i)