Evening star., 1942-09-19
Kaiser
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Hughes and his staff at their plant
In Culver City, Calf. Mr.. Ridley,
who knows the plane better than
any one else. estimated that it will
take 18 months to complete plans,
tests and construct the three sam
piles" After that is done, he said
1t would take 10 months more to
get into any large-scale production.
This would place production time
In January, 1945.
Mr.. Ridley described plans for the
plane as being in the early engineer
ing stage. Some work has been
done in working out details and
stutying stresses. He said staff
of from 200 to $50 engineers would
be needed to complete the plans
Mr.. Hughes can supply 100 of these.
It will be necessary to train the
others in the ways of aircraft de-
sign before they can be put to work.
The men will not be hired from
airplane plants, but obtained else
where and sent to school,"
Fabrication of parts and sub-as-
sembling will be done at the Hughes
plant. The work of final assembly
will have to be done elsewhere be-
cause the plant is not large enough.
The planes also will have to be
tested elsewere since there is no
water near the plant. Sites for
assembly and testing have not been
selected.
Mr.. Nelson made clear that
neither Mr.. Kaiser nor Mr.. Hughes
are to derive any profit from the
enterprise. They are, he said, con-
-tributing their time and talent in
the interest of what they believe
will be major contribution to the
war effort.
Mr.. Kaiser expressed his entire
satisfaction with the arrangement
after receiving his green light" for
the pilot planes. He added that
'the time for statement has ceased
the time for action has started"
Wary Of Predicting Shorter Time.
This action" Mr.. Kaiser con-
stinued, shows the confidence the
War Production Board has in air
cargo. I am perfectly content to
go ahead on the plans of Mr.. Nell
son. I don't think Mr.. Nelson has
changed his attitude on my idea
one bit. He has made thoughtful
study of cargo planes. I have great
confidence in him"
Asked whether he thought the
planes would be produced under
the estimated time, Mr.. Kaiser re-
piled:
It can't answer that one. I can
offer my record in shipbuilding.
The letter of intent eliminates
two months effort on the part of
Mr.. Kaiser to get into the business
of building cargo planes. 1t was on
July 18 that he first proposed that
giant planes be built in shipyards.
He made the suggestion in radio
address attendant to the launching
in record time of Liberty ship at
one of his West Coast yards. Shortly
afterward he came to Washington
to push his proposition. Mr.. Kaiser
testified before two congressional
committees, created a stir in Off
cial Washington that carried to the
four corners of the Nation.
Mr.. Kaiser left Washington IN
early August, not with the contract
for construction of hundreds of
Mars type planes, but bearing let
ter from Mr.. Nelson asking him to
show he could build planes without
interference with the military air
craft program, with regard to ma
terials, men and facilities. He re-
turned to the coast and formed as
sociation with Mr.. Hughes. There
followed stormy session with a
special group of plane builders sent
West by Mr.. Nelson to confer with
him. He returned to the Capital 10
days ago.
Mr.. Nelson and other Government
officials were reported as hopeful
the experiment would work out. At
least they thought it was worth
IAN $l8O0O,00o chance" :"