711.00111 Unlawful Shipments/223: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Counselor of Embassy in Spain (Thurston)
456. Your 996, July 1, 10 a.m. The Grumman planes were evidently assembled from the parts mentioned in the Department’s no. [Page 357] 452 of June 25, 4 p.m. Can you ascertain whether they were assembled before or after they reached Spain? What type of engine is installed in them?
Our records indicate that it is extremely unlikely that any Northrop planes have been indirectly exported from the United States to Spain, except possibly two which may have formed part of the cargo on the S. S. Ibai. (See Department’s no. 426, February 25, 2 p.m.32) These two were used planes, one presumably a Gamma transport, and the other a 2E–5B bomber. It seems probable that any new Northrop planes arriving in Spain must have come from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Gamma bombers are manufactured in that country under license granted by Northrop. The company has no information as to possible modifications which Soviet engineers may have made in the Gamma type. There is a bare possibility that the planes may have come from Canada. Canadian Vickers has a license to manufacture Delta transports but is not known to have manufactured any recently. AmLegation, Ottawa, has been instructed to investigate.
Can you obtain further information as to the number and model of the Northrop planes? Keep Department fully informed by telegram.
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