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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, to Captain Hutchinson I. Cone, Commander, United States Naval Aviation Forces, Foreign Service

Chronological Copy.

Cablegram Received       22325     MJK

Origin Opnav Washington. <January 24, 1918.> Ser. No. 2430

     24   23-1-18

24 B.

Simsadus1

2430.     Urgent for Cone. the H-16 now being built in America is the British F 2 A2 which can only carry a military load of 760 pounds. This load is divided as follows<:> two bombs and release gears 480 pound. Two Lewis guns ammunition pistols sights gun mounts and rockets absorb the remaining 280 pounds. This sea-plane can never carry a greater load without re-design and larger wings. The F-5 British type of which we leave a few plans carrying a military load of 1550 pounds. This may be as follows<:> four bombs and bomb release gears one thousand pounds. Five Lewis guns revolvers very pistols rockets bombs sights and gun mounts absorbing the remaining 500 pounds. The F-5 has a cruising radius of seven and half hours at full speed equal to 600 knots as compared with four and a half equal to 396 knots for the F-5 at low speed equal to 570 knots as compared with six hours and half equal to 390 knots for the F-2 A. Provisions are being made for the rapid production of large sea-planes in large numbers by the Navy. Advise that we construct F-5 type. To do this it will be necessary to receive complete plans from the British covering all details together with bill of material, complete production information including ports list standard material and process specifying used. These can be obtained from Felixtowe. In addition to above plans we desire the assistance of a technical man and three shop foremen familiar with the F-5 construction. Lieutenant Commander Vernon desired.3 Please advise the earliest possible date that the plans specified and personnel will arrive in the United States. This does not affect the first equipment of stations 14 and 15. Immediate reply requested.4 22024.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 1: VAdm. William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters.

Footnote 2: The Curtiss H-16 flying boat was effectively the same design of the British F-2 Felixtowe flying boat.

Footnote 3: Probably, Cmdr. Walter N. Vernou.

Footnote 4: The reply to this message has not been found.

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