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Aviation History
1944
1944 - 1125.PDF
JUNE IST, 1944 587 All it 11 tie s Fairey Barracuda Torpedo-dive-bomber. THE Fleet Air Arm's most up-to-date acquisition, the Fairey Barracuda recently made a triumphant public debut by its devastating bombing attack on the lirpitz in Alten Fjord, thus confounding parliamentary and other ill-informed criticism levelled in advance of any practical demonstration. Admittedly the Barracuda is not the most sleek of aircraft, but the operational requirements to be met in a modern T.B.R type are a designer's nightmare; compromise is inevitable. Powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin XXXII giving high power for take-off and at low altitudes, with high rate of climb, the defensive armament is manually operated and mounted in the rear cockpit. Recognition is made very easy by virtue of the shoulder wing with projecting flaps, and the tapered strut- braced tailplane set very high on the broad fin. A stream lined "glasshouse" covers the cockpits. ALBACORE (One 1,130 h.p. Taurus XII) INTENDED as an interim replacement type for the Sword-fish, the Fairey Albacore was the last of the naval biplanes. It is larger and aerodynamically cleaner than the faithful " Stringbag " and some 25 m.p.h. faster. Like its predecessor it is still on the1 active list. A 1,130 h.p. Bristol Taurus XII sleeve-valve engine provides the power, and top speed is 161 m.p.h. with torpedo or 2,000 lb. bomb load, and 169 m.p.h. in reconnaissa ice trim. Armament consists of two Vickers 0.303m. retractable machine guns in the rear cockpit. Recognition features include single-bay, equal span, unstag- gered wings, cantilever tailplane with roa#ded tips, large single fin and rudder with broad round apex, and fixed, faired under carriage, but no spats. Pilot sits in front of leading edge; tandem cockpits enclosed. Dimensions: Span, 50ft.; length, 39ft. ioin.; height, 14ft. gin.; wing area, G23 sq. ft. Fairey Albacore Torpedo-bomber.
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