Hercules Switch Pleases U.S.

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30666, 4 February 1965, Page 13

Hercules Switch Pleases U.S.

(N.Z.P.A.- Reuter —Copyright)

WASHINGTON, February 3.

Defence Department officials expressed gratification today at the announcement by Mr Wilson, that Britain would acquire the American Cl3O cargo plane and extend its order for the Phantom fighter.

But they said they had no information about the number of planes involved. The announcement was not a surprise, since the United States had been helping Britain to make studies, the officials said. Australia has been using the Cl3O Hercules —a "work horse” among transport aircraft—for several years, and the type has been ordered by New Zealand. It is believed in Washington that the findings of a recent British technical mission to the United States influ-

enced the decision to acquire the Cl3O.

The mission was reported also to have looked into the possibility of Britain acquiring the American-built Fll (formerly the TFX) in place of the British TSR2 strike aircraft. The Cl3O was built primarily to airlift combat forces, but it performs various other functions including weather reconnaissance, high-altitude mapping, escort, search and rescue, and tanker services for in-flight advance base refuelling.