U.S.A. SHOWS VAST STRENGTH OF ITS AIR FORCE

Grey River Argus, 20 September 1948, Page 5

U.S.A. SHOWS VAST STRENGTH OF ITS AIR FORCE

(Rec. 8.20) NEW YORK, Sept. 18 Fifty Superfortress bombers roared into the United State's to-day from bases strung from Japan to Germany, in an Air Force Day demonstration. The first to reach the targets were two B 29’s, which roared over Pittsburg after a twenty-hour flight from Iceland. Superfortresses flew to twenty-four other cities in a show of air powei, which President Truman said was a manifestation to the world that the nation was secure in its own strength, and determined to maintain the cause of peace.” The demonstration was to show the public how an enemy could attack the United States through the Polar and ocean approaches, and also how the range of American strategic air power had been expanded since the war. The Air Force brought out five B 36’s, the world’s largest bombers, for shuttle runs, covering the nation, to give millions of Americans the first glimpse of the six-engined aircraft. The Air Force put on view in San Francisco, four new experimental jet fighters, all reputed to be capable of speeds approaching that of sound. One can take off from a giant bomber in flight and hook back on. A Reuter’s message from Athens says the United States Superfortress bomber arrived on a week-end visit after a non-stop flight from New York. ___________