Abstract: The specification discloses a hot gas distributor in a paper making machine. The distributor includes a pipe supported by end plates and supporting an elongated hood divided by partitions into a multitude of chambers. Centered in each chamber is a tubular nozzle extending through aligned holes in the pipe. Hot gas in the pipe flows into the nozzle through ports in the nozzle and down through the nozzle into the chamber and through a slotted arcuate plate forming the bottom of the chamber. Adapter blocks on the pipe support the nozzles and bonnets which support pneumatic actuators and through which connecting rods extend. A piston-like control plug or valve member on the rod closes the ports in nozzles to the extents that the pneumatic actuators are set to differentially dry a paper web just below the hood.