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Referring to TIME, Sept. 26, Aeronautics, and knowing its reputation for accuracy and fairness. I am writing in behalf of a good ship which cannot speak for itself—The American Nurse. I am sure that she would object to your "flew, by fits and starts, around the world last year." At best, your statement belittles. If asked for her record she might truthfully say: 1) I am the only airplane to have flown both major oceans nonstop. 2) From a beach in Japan I lifted from the sand and flew with a wing loading of 30 Ib. per sq. ft. The maximum theoretical limit for any airplane is 28 pounds per square foot. 3)1 hold the record of having flown farther over water than any other airplane. 4) I am the only airplane ever to have flown the Pacific nonstop. HUGH HERNDON, JR.
President, A. T. W. (Around The World) Corp. Cleveland, Ohio
The Bellanca monoplane Miss Veedol, flew around the world July 28-Oct. 18. 1931. Main delays were caused by a muddy field at Khabarovsk and the suspicious Japanese Government. Rechristened The American Nurse, the ship started for Rome from Floyd Bennett Field, was lost far at sea on a night when the moon was in eclipse.—ED.