GIANT PLANES

Grey River Argus, 28 February 1944, Page 2

GIANT PLANES

OVER 60-TON CARGO. LONDON, Feb. 25. Details of a new United States cargo aeroplane, the JRNI, which was designed to fly with weights of up to 145,000 lbs. and which is capable of being instantly converted into a hospital ship, passenger transport or troop-carrier, have been released by the United States Navy. ' The new aerolane, which is termed a production version of the 70-ton ( “Mars,” is stated to be even larger ■ and more efficient than its prototype, ■ which is already serving in the Pacific. Twenty JRNI’s are to be built for the naval air transport service. As a cargo carrier the aeroplane has ample space for seven jeeps and even greater numbers of field guns or aircraft engines. Built-in fittings permit of its conversion into a hospital ship with accommodation for eightyfour stretcher cases and twenty-five attendants, a passenger transport for fifty passengers in reclining chairs, all on the lower deck, or a troop carrier capable of seating 132 persons. The first aircraft of the new contract is expected to be ready early next year. It will be powered with four 2,200 horsepower Wright Cyclone engines, but the design provides _ for a switch to larger and more' powerful engines should the latter become available.