Opinion

Flight 17.5.1957

S.A.A.F. Shackletons

Yesterday, May 16, the South African Air Force was due to take delivery of the first two of its Avro Shackletons at a ceremony at the maker's airfield at Woodford, Cheshire. The aircraft - first of eight Mk 3s ordered by South Africa - were being handed over by Mr. J. A. R. Kay, director and general manager of A. V. Roe, to the South African Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. W. D. van Schalwyk, receiving them on behalf of No. 35 Squadron, S.A.A.F. Three crews from No. 35 Sqn., together with ground personnel, under their C.O., Cmdt. M. J. Uys, have been undergoing a familiarisation course at Woodford for the past few weeks.

92-8 Chance

A special escape-system "package" has been designed for the North American X-15 rocket-powered research aircraft which is to be flown by company test pilot Scott Crossfield next year. Crossfield is reported to have stated that the device will give him a "92 percent chance" of survival even in the most unfavourable circumstances. The U.S.A.F. is supplying the pilot's personal equipment for the system.

Thunderbird

It was unofficially disclosed last week that the excellent name Thunderbird has been chosen for the English Electric surface-to-air missile system now on order for the Army and R.A.F. A model of the weapon, exhibited in a window of Marconi House, London, shows the combined trailer/launcher.

Pioneer Spirit

Home from a demonstration tour which took in Central and South America, Mr. D. F. McIntyre, managing director of Scottish Aviation, Ltd., reports great breadth and depth of interest in the Scottish-built STOL. Business in prospect is such that Armstrong Whitworth have been given a sub-contract order for detail parts and certain main components. In Switzerland, David A. Anderton of Aviation Week has been observing Swissair trials, and though reporting "limited single-engine performance" under the extremely arduous conditions encountered on these operations, comments enthusiastically otherwise. Swissair has suggested to Scottish Aviation the fitting either of two Turbomeca turboprops or an auxiliary turbojet in the tail. The R.A.F. version, it is learned, will be able to carry bombs in "limited" campaigns.