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Aviation History
1946
1946 - 1487.PDF
AUGUST I, 1946 A unit above and below the .t'ing—well suited to a tail- less aircraft. Side-by-side units in the tail of a broad fuselage. designer is not too uncompromising in laying out the power plant, maintenance is greatly simplified* while rearming and refuelling are facilitated by the characteristic low build. There is no denying that the gas turbine is particularly vulnerable to gunfire, but the configuration of a jet nacelle— particularly for an axial-flow unit—lends itself to armouring against fire from astern. All-Round Efficiency •':-'--" ~ Typified by the Meteor IV the present-day fighter is not only faster at all heights than comparable piston-engined machines, but excels in rate of climb and service ceiling. The Meteor's range has lately been increased to over 1,000 miles though this is less than half that of the D.H. Hornet. On the other hand in rate of turn and rate of roll it shows up remarkably well and easily out-dives competitors handicapped by airscrew drag. In level flight earlier marks of Meteor were comparatively slow to accelerate but the Mark IV, with its Mark V Derwents, is said to be greatly superior. It is not to be expected that the all-round efficiency of the Meteor will necessarily be reproduced in future jet figf^fcSK: these, being more specialised, will tend to accent- uate one quality to the detriment of others. Results of tactical trials with the Meteor and Vampire are withheld, though the manner in which both these aircraft have been displayed, both individually i and in formation, is eloquent testimony to their flying qualities and to the confidence of their pilots. Some interesting observations have been made by Air Comdfe. W. R. Worstall of Fighter Command, R.A.F., concerning their maintenance in service. Air Comdre. Worstall said that it had been possible to reduce the establishment of fitters in Derwent-powered Meteor squadrons to about half that required to service modern piston engines. Fuelling LAYOUTS A suitable layout for three units in a toil-less aii frame. nose intake feeds two units mounted low in the fuselaee.
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