April 2, 1956

April 2, 1956

View Full Issue Table of Contents
SAFETY

Fuel-tank Explosion Downs Private A-26

Tupolev 104: Harsh Proof of Rapid Soviet Progress

AIR TRANSPORT

North Atlantic Air Cargo Hits New Peak

By Glenn Garrison6 min

View Full Issue
More Features
7071
SAFETY

Fuel-tank Explosion Downs Private A-26

At 2117,¹ October 3, 1955, a Douglas A-26C, N 67148, owned and operated by the Great Lakes Carbon Corporation, crashed two miles northwest of Union City, Oklahoma, following structural failure resulting from a midair explosion. All four occupants, Captain Joseph W. Whitney, First Officer John E. McBride, and passengers Mr. and Mrs. George Skakel, Sr., received fatal injuries.
2829

Tupolev 104: Harsh Proof of Rapid Soviet Progress

London—Appearance of Aeroflot’s Tupolev 104 jet airliner (AW Mar. 26, p. 29) presented new evidence of the remarkable advances in aircraft design made by Russia during the last few years. The twin-jet aircraft shows sound design characteristics built into a contemporary airframe powered by two of the largest turbojet engines operating in the world today.
8485
AIR TRANSPORT

North Atlantic Air Cargo Hits New Peak

Record 29 million lbs. of air cargo crosses North Atlantic in 1955; prospects even better for ’56.

By Glenn Garrison6 min

4041
AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Science Improves Jet-stream Navigation

By Russell Hawkes6 min

3233
MISSILE ENGINEERING

Martin, Army Unveil ‘missile Master’

Ft. Meade, Md.—The prototype of the Glenn L. Martin Co.’s electronic “Missile Master” last week became the nerve center of this area’s anti-aircraft defense, ready to coordinate the fire of 88 Nike launchers guarding Baltimore and the nation’s capital.

By Evert Clark6 min

110111

Letters

Circuit-Breaker Safety In the interest of greater aviation safety, the “CAB Report on Pan American B-377 Crash off Oregon” (AVIATION WEEK, January 2, 1956) should be amplified with certain clarifying facts. After describing the loss of the No. 3 engine, the report then goes on to discuss the “Inability to Increase RPM.”
2627

Indecision, Not Funds, Bogs Missile Plan

Administration says problems stem from planning, but missile money is drawn from other programs.

By Claude Witze5 min

5253
AVIONICS

Communications Bog Handicaps Usaf

New York—A major improvement in Air Force communications’ facilities and techniques is needed if the Strategic and Tactical Air Commands are to effectively carry out their global commitments. This warning was sounded by USAF officials during a symposium on Air Force communications and electronics’ problems and philosphies sponsored by the Institute of Radio Engineers’ Professional Group on Military Electronics.

By Philip J. Klass5 min

8687
AIR TRANSPORT

Chicago Traffic Is Shifting to O’hare

Chicago—Scheduled airline service at the new O’Hare International Airport, which has had little more than token traffic since its official opening last Oct. 31, will be increased substantially by Apr. 29. Airlines now scheduling some operations at O’Hare include American, Delta, Northwest, TWA, United and two all-cargo carriers—Slick and Riddle.

By Preble Staver5 min

6061
AVIONICS

New Avionic Products

Components & Devices Size 8 servo motor, Type 8-M, and motor-generator, Type 8-M-G, measure only ¾ in. dia. x 61/64 and 1 61/64 in. respectively. Motor operates from 26 v., has free speed of 6,700 rpm, stall torque of 20 in. oz., rotor inertia of 0.5 gr. cm.².
March 191956 April 91956