Transport: De-Icers Off

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Because they increase wing drag, wing deicers* are usually removed from U. S. airline transports during summer. Last week all wing deicers were off, but this time there was an added reason for their removal—they have been causing trouble on the new Douglas DC-38. On one American Airliner last month the rubber boot split, on another a section of the wing's skin crystallized and tore away. These incidents were minor, but enough to cause a Bureau of Air Commerce request that all present deicers be removed from DC-38 and improved to meet the greater stresses imposed by this biggest of U. S. land transports.

Similar trouble encountered before when bigger planes went into service has always been successfully overcome. Last week Douglas Aircraft Co. was busy perfecting a reinforcement for the wing where the de-icer is attached, and B. F. Goodrich Co.. maker of the deicers, was busy hunting for a way to strengthen the rubber. Both promised results by next ice weather.