BIG TRANSPORT PLANE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 August 1942, Page 4

BIG TRANSPORT PLANE

FOR TROOPS AND WAR MATERIAL MASS PRODUCTION IN UNITED STATES. FAST -AND POWERFUL CRAFT. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, Noon.) WASHINGTON, July 31. The Curtiss Wright Corporation, with governmental approval, has announced the mass production of a giant twin-engine transport plane —a formidable invasion weapon, capable of carrying parachute ground troops with jeeps and other mobile equipment. 1 he speed and carrying capacity of the new plane, which is named Commando C 46, are Army secrets, but they far exceed those of any type so far used by Germany. Two Pratt Whitney engines, of 2,000 horsepower give the Commando a speed approaching that of combat planes, which cross the Atlantic in nine hours. The vice-president of the corporation, Mr Burdette Wright, said the transportation of troops and scout cars was only one task for the Commando. The structural framework was also strengthened to accommodate artillery, tractors, trucks, engines, oil drums and other supplies for a modern army. Mr Wright added that 35 Commandos could have carried the 30,000 tons of materials which 7,700 trucks transported along the Burma Road in one month. In case of invasion, the Commando will roar down from the sky, pushing out specially-designed ramps and allowing heavily-armed troops, with jeeps, to disembark within a few seconds. The number of parachutes and jeeps which can be carried by the plane is a military secret. Representative Thomas, after an inspection of some of the most secret o> the newest Army material, said: Believe me, the enemy is sure going to get terrific surprises.” Mr Thomas pointed out that the nature of some of the secret weapons had never even been hinted at publicly and that they will come as a complete surprise to the enemy.