Transport: Russian Sample

For 15 years the U.S.S.R. has carefully watched the progress of invention in other countries, has tried generally with success to buy samples of many of the newest and best machines in order to copy them for home production. Thus it is possible in the vast Soviet Union to see the newest machinery, the latest street car, the last word in streamlined busses—imported as models. The Soviet is presently to see the world’s newest, biggest airplane—built in the U. S.—long before any such craft exists in any other country. Last week, after months of secret construction, this giant had its first tests near Baltimore.

Known as “Martin Ocean Transport— Model 156,” it is a ship almost 92 ft. long, 12 ft. wide and 24 ft. high. Its great metal hull is suspended beneath a 157-ft. wing span. Stubby sea wings extend 13 ft. from the sides of the hull directly below the main span, contribute to the strength and stability of the whole ship and provide storage space for 4,260 gal. of fuel. In the nose is its anchor hatch, dual flight control station, bridge, navigation and radio rooms. Three passenger compartments and a lounge in the centre of the hull provide space for 45 passengers by day, can be converted into sleeping accommodation for 26 by night. Fanciest gadget is a lounge table the top of which, lined with mirrors, lifts to expose several wash basins. Aft and below are mail and cargo holds, quarters for the crew of ten. Its four motors mounted on the wings are Wright “Cyclones,” 1,000 h.p. each, which give the plane a range of 4,500 miles carrying a payload of 7,500 Ib. and a maximum speed of 200 m.p.h. At its cruising speed, around 150 m.p.h., the 3,465-mile flight to London would take about 23 hours, leave enough fuel for 1,000 miles more.

In its tests Pilot William K. (“Ken”) Ebel taxied the 63,000-lb. plane like a speed boat, sprinting, curving, cutting corners through Chesapeake Bay until spectators said they had never seen an airplane so roughly handled. Then for 17 minutes he flew through the air about 100 ft. above the water. In continuous two-way radio conversation with Designer Glenn Luther Martin—who under a company agreement may not fly—Pilot Ebel reported M.O.T.’s performance. “Stable as a brick,” grinned Designer Martin.

For 25 hours the big ship will undergo such tests. Then, after the payment of a reputed $1,000,000 cash, the ship will be handed over to its purchaser, Amtorg Trading Corp., buying agent in the U. S. for the Soviet Union. Despite all Glenn Martin’s urging the Russians could not be persuaded to fly their sample home. Instead it will be flown to New York, dismantled and shipped by steamer to the U.S.S.R.

Coinciding happily with both Maritime Commission Chairman Kennedy’s recommendation for Atlantic flying boats (TIME, Nov. 29), and the inauguration last week of the third year of Pan American’s Pacific air mail service, the new Martin Ocean Transport claims two points of advance in air travel. It is the first fully commercial airplane capable of negotiating the Atlantic nonstop; for its size, weight and power, its payload is more than that of any other transport. Designer Martin already has on his drawing boards plans of a 118,000-lb. ocean transport, which will carry 100 passengers, sleep 66. Reported purchaser: American Export Air Line’s, prospective affiliate of American Export Lines, whose ships will fly between the U. S. and Mediterranean and Black Sea ports.