[Illustration: AIR DRAWN INTO THE ENGINE IS COMPRESSED, MIXED WITH FUEL AND THEN BURNED. GASES RUSHING THROUGH THE DISCHARGE NOZZLE PUSH THE PLANE AHEAD. THE SPEED OF THE PLANE IS REGULATED BY ADJUSTING THE SIZE OF THE OPENING IN THE DISCHARGE NOZZLE.
[Illustration: BELL P-59 _AIRACOMET_ JET-POWERED FIGHTER]
[Illustration: BOEING 377 _STRATOCRUISER_
THE CROSS-SECTION AT THE LEFT SHOWS HOW THE TWO DECKS OF THE _STRATOCRUISER_ ARE ACHIEVED. ONE FUSELAGE IS BUILT ON TOP OF ANOTHER AND STREAMLINED TOGETHER. THE UPPER SECTION HAS A WIDTH OF MORE THAN ELEVEN FEET.
THE CROSS-SECTION ABOVE SHOWS THE LAYOUT OF THE SLEEPER VERSION OF THE _STRATOCRUISER_. IT HAS SEATS FOR 72 DAY PASSENGERS. SEATS CAN BE MADE UP INTO 36 BERTHS. ANOTHER VERSION HAS SEATS FOR 100 DAY PASSENGERS AND AMPLE SPACE FOR BAGGAGE AND CARGO.]
In the high-flying, high-speed _Stratocruiser_ and the fast _Liberator Liner_ we see a type of transport that will become familiar in early postwar days. The development of airplanes with great load-carrying ability will have a great effect on the cost of air travel. Transports like the 100-passenger _Stratocruiser_ will soon bring the cost of air travel within the reach of anyone who now can afford regular train fares.
[Illustration: CONSOLIDATED _LIBERATOR LINER_]
Postwar days will also see a great increase in the use of air cargo planes. Typical of the cargo plane of the future is the Fairchild C-82 _Packet_, now in use as a military transport. The big, roomy cabin of the _Packet_ is only slightly smaller than a standard railroad boxcar. As an Army transport, the _Packet_ can carry forty-two fully equipped paratroopers or seventy regular troops. As a hospital plane, it has space for thirty-four litter cases and four attendants or seventy-five walking casualties. When used for cargo movement the _Packet’s_ stern door opens to take a load of jeeps, trucks, artillery, munitions, and other military cargo equal in weight to nine tons. It is readily seen how valuable the _Packet_ will be in postwar days. With its range of 3,500 miles, it will speed commercial cargo across the country at reasonable costs. In fact, all the big transports, such as the _Stratocruiser_ or the _Liberator Liner_, are designed so that they may be converted to all-cargo planes. In the near future perishable foods and other merchandise, which heretofore have taken several days to cross the country, will make the trip overnight.