Phonograph Disks Run Crewless War Tank

Machines can execute complicated maneuvers and return after their mission has been performed WITH the discovery by a French scientist that phonograph disks can be used to record mechanical movement as well as sound, the dream of airplanes and tanks that operate by remote control is brought nearer to realization. The practicability of completely automatic control was demonstrated recently at Paris where an electric truck started, changed its course, backed up, reversed its direction, and finally stopped without the guidance of a human hand. Phonograph records, used in the experiment, could guide a torpedo into a fortified harbor to destroy an enemy battleship; or drive a tank against enemy machine gun nests, rake them with fire and return the tank to its own trenches. The movements of the torpedo or tank would be carefully calculated in advance. A master control arm on a recording device would then be manipulated to create electric impulses corresponding in timing to the desired evolutions of a complicated maneuver. An electric pick-up would convert these impulses into mechanical energy and the needle of the pick-up would impress them on the disk. Read the rest of this entry »

Air Photos Take Themselves
RECONNAISSANCE photos taken from pilotless, radio-controlled planes called drones promise to be a valuable means of obtaining intelligence of enemy movements on battlefields of the future. Pictures shown here were taken at the Army Electronic Proving Ground, Ft. Huachuca, Ariz.

Newest Type Of Army Gas Mask

THIS mask is the army’s latest type. Among its features are optically ground, neutral eye pieces that permit its wearer to use delicate precision instruments, and its ability to permit conversation, a practice that is impossible with older type masks. The purification cannister is worn on the shoulders, permitting additional freedom of movement.

“Death Ray” May Outlaw War

A “DEATH RAY” machine is on exhibition at the California Pacific International Exposition being held at San Diego, Calif. It was invented by Prof. Harry May of London, England.

Prof. May feels that his new lethal weapon will be instrumental in outlawing war. He thinks that nations, knowing that such a weapon for quick destruction is available, will hesitate to attack each other.

What are they practicing for? An attack by 10ft snowmen?

Bayonets Thrust into Snow Man by Soldiers at Practice
Encountering a snow man on the grounds of Fort Dix, N. J., two zealous soldiers attached to company L, 174th infantry, took an opportunity to demonstrate an attack with bayonets. National guardsmen and draftees are receiving army training at the fort.

Metal Goggles Guard Eyes from Shrapnel Splinters

Special metal goggles to protect the eyes from flying fragments of shrapnel during an enemy bombardment have been introduced in England. Circular pieces of metal which drop down over large eye holes have narrow cross slits through which the wearer can see his way to shelter.

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GUNS from All NATIONS Stock MOVIE Arsenals

THE machine guns of the beleaguered garrison, making a last stand, are rattling and spitting fire at an enemy whose rifles and revolvers crack viciously in reply. Casualties are strewn everywhere and the acrid smoke of battle hovers over the scene. It is a critical situation, indeed—or appears so.

Then the director shouts “cut,” and the “dead” and “wounded” arise and brush themselves off. For it is only a scene from a current talkie, and no one is really “wounded in action.” Read the rest of this entry »

Periscope Is Built into Dugout

Taken “somewhere in France,” the photograph above shows a soldier attached to a Scots regiment on watch in an underground concrete shelter. Using a built-in periscope, the sentry can scan the area on all sides of the sunken dugout, and obtain a clear view of any advance of the enemy without exposing himself to the fire of snipers or enemy patrols.

War Calls Out Muscles and Outdated Engines

Both Germany and England are exerting themselves to conserve precious gasoline, and wherever human muscles can do a job they are doing it. Witness, above, the pleasure boat that made its debut recently at Berlin. It has a propeller with chain and sprocket drive calling on arm and leg power; not so romantic as paddling a canoe, but it gets places. At upper right a Londoner pedals to work in a “Velocar,” of French origin. In the two-seater model both driver and passenger provide the motive power of the toylike car Read the rest of this entry »

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How Navy’s New Tricks Concealed Ships

Based on established and reliable optical laws, the Navy’s World War II camouflage used black and white ! painted patterns on vessels, producing startling visual deception that was confounding even at a 50-foot range. Strongly contrasted stripes in the designs made accurate observation virtually impossible. False, shadows created most deceiving illusions of shape. Sterns were “shortened,” gear was “hidden,” and entire ships were “heeled” through the scientific use of paint. The ineffective battleship gray and Dazzle System of camouflage (left) were rendered obsolete.

Well, this pretty nicely sums up the fight in WWII on one page. France was building the Maginot line while Germany was building rockets.

World’s Greatest Underground Fortifications Guard France

INVISIBLE and sunk beneath the rolling and wooded terrain in Lorraine is a great underground fortification system, 200 miles long, guarding France’s vital industrial area.

The forts, which cost 150 million dollars, are the greatest in the world and defy attack by gas, infantry, artillery, or air bombs. Living quarters, magazines, power stations, and control stations are out of reach of all means of attack. Bulkheads in the underground passages shut out both gas and invaders and armored posts at various points bring additional protection.
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Why this would be any better than a dive bomber? The pilot is screwed either way. If he misses the ship they are just going to blow up his little raft and if he hits the ship then he’ll be floating around in water that is filled with all of the people who jumped off the ship. They might hold a grudge. He might as well just fly it right into the ship, at least that way it’ll be quick.

Flying Bomb Guided by Man Pilot

GUIDED by a human pilot, a “flying bomb” designed by Lester P. Barlow, well known aerial munitions expert, would enable one man to destroy a battleship and escape alive, according to the inventor. The new aerial weapon consists of a small airplane-like structure, featuring wings, rudder and elevator controls, to which a 3,500-pound bomb is fitted as a nose. Read the rest of this entry »