835.348/1–847: Airgram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Argentina
A–60. The PBY–5A73 referred to in Embassy A–20 dated January 8, 194774 was not licensed for export from the United States. It is noted that such an airplane was purchased by the Argentine Navy from S. A. Richards, Box 725, Burlington, Vermont (Embassy A–1005, October 10, 194674), and it is presumed that this is the same airplane and that Mr. Richards shipped the airplane from Canada to Argentina by a different route from the one passing through the United States.
The Department has authorized the exportation of the following aircraft to Argentina:
- A.
- For the Argentine Naval Air Forces:
- 14 Consolidated PBY–5A, license 3611, October 25, 1946
- 3 Grumman J2F, license 4017, November 20, 1946
- 3 Grumman J2F–6, license 4455, November 20, 1946
- 1 Beechcraft D–18S, license 19, January 6, 1947
- 3 Grumman JRF–6, license 20, January 6, 1947
- B.
- For the Argentine Secretariat of Aeronautics:
- 8 Douglas C–47, license 146, January 14, 1947
- 9 Douglas C–54, license 147, January 14, 1947
- 20 Beechcraft C–18S (AT–11), license 186, January 14, 1947
- 10 Beechcraft C–18S (AT–11), license 187, January 14, 1947
- 2 Beechcraft C–18S (AT–11), license 188, January 14, 1947
An application by the Argentine Naval Commission for license to export 30 North American AT–6 aircraft for the Naval Air Forces was rejected on January 16, 1947. No such application has been received as yet for the 20 AT–6 aircraft which, according to the Embassy’s information, were purchased by the Argentine Army.
The C–18S (converted from AT–11) and the D–18S Beech airplanes [Page 218] are considered to be commercial airplanes and therefore exportable. Demilitarization has been required in connection with the Grumman JRF–6 and J2F models. None of the 14 PBY’s licenced for export under license no. 3611 has yet been exported from Canada. These PBY aircraft will be shipped intransit from Canada through the United States to Argentina. All except two are required to be converted by the removal of bubbles, gun mountings, and plexiglass noses, the reinforcement of floors, and the installation of hatchways. The two which are not required to be converted will be cannibalized upon their arrival in Argentina.
With respect to the Department’s current policy regarding the exportation of these and other aircraft, reference is made to the Department’s A–20 dated January 8, 1947.76