AIR ARMADA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 266, 9 October 1942, Page 4

AIR ARMADA

SURPRISE FOR AXIS American - scheme NEW YORK, Sept. 28. An American “dreadnought fleet” of huge bombers, bigger than his 70-ton Mars flying-boat, huge cargo planes, and trains of gliders are envisaged as a development of air warfare by Mr Glenn L. Martin, famous aircraft designer and manufacturer.

“An armada of huge bombers and carriers is under way,” lie says in an article in a current journal. “Their increased ranges and sizes will rapidly shrink the world’s map. Even greater jolts than the Midway Island air punishment aro in store for the Axis.”

Describing air surprise as the deadliest weapon of the modern war, he says: “America to-day is building a gigantic air surprise force, far greater than in Hitler’s wildest dreams. An army of air-borne infantry, parachutists, and glider troops is being trained for sudden blows on a dozen fronts. Long-range fighters have been developed to strike from hidden advanced bases, and new, secret devices will enable surprise attacks, even in foggy weather.” The Mars, whose range is secret, Mr Martin says, could hit from the United Nations bases at any spot on the globe. SURPRISE ON WINGS.

“Such dreadnoughts arc literally a surprise on wings,” lie adds. “One Mars could totally destroy a rail centre or shipyard and a squadron could devastate Tokio in one trip'. Towing gliders, 20 giants could put down 9000 heavily-armed men from bases 1000 miles distant over .a 500mile radius. Rapid shuttling could land 50,000 air troops a day. With giant cargo planes, ammunition and food can be rushed to advanced forces. Whippet tanks, flame-throwers and anti-tank guns can easily be carried. Cargo gliders to carry heavy loads are under construction, and tow-ships will be armed to protect the glider trains. “Should the worst happen to the Allies,” he says, ‘a sky dreadnought fleet would be America's one big weapon for the immediate transoceanic task of smashing invasion fleets at their bases or at sea, meeting the menace at any point. However, such use of our long-range air fleet will not be necessary if every step is taken for all-out, immediate production.”

Mr Martin believes that production of smaller aircraft may be reduced to obtain more giants. “Present types must be continued for immediate needs,” he says, “but to secure maximum air surprise, and to establish unbroken ocean supply lines,- the smaller-plane output will have to be paralleled with the swift development of larger multi-engined ships.” Mr Martin’s plant is already designed for production of a flyingboat twice the size of the Mars which could strike across the Pacific and return with fuel to spare. “Five hundred such planes could turn the tide of the war,” he says, “though before the war is over we may need £500,000 flying battleships. If such super-planes are found necessary for victory we shall build them, though it may take the American aircraft industry until early in 1944 to reach maximum output of large planes.”