Science: Spectrum

Flying Mattress. Britain's M. L. Aviation Co. showed off the first model of a new inflatable-wing, two-passenger aircraft which may be the sky-auto of the future. Named the "Flying Mattress," the new plane features a 40-ft. span delta wing, made of light fabric and easily inflated by compressed air machines or by a regular tire pump. When deflated, the wing is small enough to fit in a car's trunk compartment. Inflated, the wing sits on posts above a 10-ft. wooden fuselage, is held in place by struts. A pusher-propeller, powered by a 65-h.p. engine, gives the plane a top speed of 45 m.p.h. The 550-lb. Flying Mattress is easy to fly. With no wind, it requires only a 100-yd. landing strip; in strong winds, it lands almost vertically. Already flight-tested by the Ministry of Supply, the Flying Mattress is slated for army use as a courier and reconnaissance plane. As an aerial sports car for civilians, it will sell for $2,500.

The Thing. The U.S. Marine Corps ordered production of Ontos [Greek for The Thing], a fast (40 m.p.h.), tracked antitank vehicle. Bristling with six recoilless 106-mm. rifles, the 8.5-ton Ontos relies on hit-and-run tactics rather than heavy armor for survival, uses .50-cal. machine guns to sight in on a target with tracer bullets, then fires off its heavy battery and runs for cover to reload.