FLYING DISC FIGHTER

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27148, 18 September 1953, Page 9

FLYING DISC FIGHTER

Secret Project In Canada (N.Z. Preu Association—Copyright) (Rec. U pjn.) NEW YORK. Sept 16. United States top defence scientists are conferring with Canadian officials to Toronto on Canada’s super-secret “Project Y,” a “New York rimes” report said today. “Project Y” was Canada’s blusprint for a disc-shaped filthier aircraft which could reach 1500 miles an hour after a vertical take-off, the report said. Lieutenant-General Donald Putt, head of the Air Research and Development Command of the United States Air Force, led the American team of 25 in discussions with Dr. O. M. Solandt the chairman of Canada’s Defence Research Board, the DeputyDefence Minister, Mr C. M. Drury, and General A. G. McNaughton, head of the Canadian section of the United StatesCanada Joint Defence Board. The “New York Times” said that A. V. Roe, Ltd., had pushed the paper development of the revolutionary plane as tar as it could go, and reams of technical data and research results were studied by General Putt and his party. The group also viewed a 40ft model of the jet-powered disc, whose pilot sits in a stationary plastic bubble around which the engine revolves. The system of exhaust controls is said to give the plane startling manoeuvrability, allowing it to hover or dart in any direction. The take-off would probably be from a type of catapult, and the wheelless craft could berpancaked to a landing. The Canadian Government had spent no money directly on the project to date, but had provided two research teams which had worked in “hush-hush” surroundings. AK V. Roe. Ltd., is known to be reluctant to begin the actual development of the prototype until it has a guarantee or -a subsidy, the correspondent said.

“The company has the technical knowledge and the manufacturing facilities at its huge plant. If Genera] Putt and his colleagues are sufficiently impressed with what they see, perhaps some United States financial backing will be forthcoming to help get the plane from paper to production.”