TRANS-ATLANTIC AIK ROUTE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22274, 13 December 1937, Page 10

TRANS-ATLANTIC AIK ROUTE

BID BY PAN AMERICAN AIRWAYS TENDERS INVITED FOR HUGE NEW MACHINES (CKITID PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPTBIOHT.) (Received December 12, 7.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 10. It is announced that Pan American Airways is asking for tenders from eight aircraft manufacturers for the construction of several air liners able to carry 100 passengers and. a crew of 16 for a trans-Atlantic service. The machines will have a cruising speed of 200 miles an hour, and a range of more than 5000 miles. ■ It is stated that the aeroplanes of British, French, and German lines threaten “the hard earned technical leadership of American transport on the world’s most important route, the trans-Atlantic route. This has made imperative the immediate concentration of the American aircraft industry on the development of greatly advanced practical long•range trans-oceanic aircraft at the earliest possible date.” It is intimated that Colonel Charles Lindbergh will supervise the construction of the aircraft, and that the purpose of his recent European visit was to familiarise himself with foreign developments. Between 12 and 24 aircraft are contemplated, at an estimated cost of 1,000,000 dollars each. They will be capable of a non-stop flight to any European capital, thus obviating the necessity of reciprocal landing right agreements. They will fly at heights of 20,000 feet. The aeroplanes will be equipped with single and double staterooms with all comforts.