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Aviation History
1947
1947 - 0156.PDF
FLIGHT JANUARY 30TH, 1947 SAFETY ^4 ,£&& #V " Flight" photograph. Capt. W. R. Saunders taxying out for his first flight in a Vampire, oi No. 130 Squadron. He found it a thoroughly pleasant aifcraft. The machine is of the latest type, with "bubble" canopy and Goblin II turbine jetN U.S. Officers Visit Vampire Squadrons at Odiham OFTEN Flight has recorded visits to R.A.F. Stationsby observers and missions from abroad*, but thesehave usually had as their object the study of organi- zation or operational technique and have been in the nature of demonstrations rather than discussions. Our relations with the U.S.A. are now such that formal mili- tary reviews can give way to a neighbourly exchange of information and opinion, and the recently announced Anglo-American Officer Exchange plan (see Flight of January 9th) should prove of very real benefit to both parties. Certainly this seems to have been borne out at Odiham last Monday week, when Col. John W. Persons, chief of the Headquarters Flying Safety Service of the U.S.A.A.F., and his aide, Captain W. R. Saunders, were acquainted with features of the D.H. Vampire FI and exchanged views with R.A.F. personnel on accident prevention. The American visitors were welcomed by G/C. A. F, Anderson, D.S.O., D.F.C., Deputy Director of Accident Prevention at the Air Ministry, W/'C. C. D. North-Lewis, D.S.O.. D.F.C., Officer Commanding R.A.F. Station, Odi ham, and W/C. T. Balmforth, D.S.O., D.F.C., Wing Com- mander Flying. They were introduced to officers of Nos. 54, 130 and 247 Squadrons, all equipped with Vam- pires and commanded respectively by S/L. Lyne, A.F.C., S/L. Courtney, D.F.C., and S/L." Taylor, D.F.C. Ailerons and Seats A full report of their chats in the mess and on the tarmac may not be given, but the following dialogue was typical: "Do you have any trouble with aileron boosters, Wing Commander? " " We don't use them, Colonel." "That's very interesting. We have them on the P-80, you know . . .," and the Colonel went on to explain briefly the hydraulic power-assisted controls of the Shooting Star. The Wing Commander was not slow to extol the Vam- pire's unboosted ailerons, and Mr. Burrell of de Havillands contributed a few ideas on control systems for jet fighters. A helpful discussion ensued. It seems that, should the P.80 booster system fail, it is necessary for the pilot to bale out, and an emergency control system may be a requirement in future on British and American jet fighters. £ One gathered that, contrary to what is generally believed* in this country, the mortality rate is lower on the Ameri- can "jets" than on airscrew-driven machines, like the P.51. Colonel Persons could offer no ready explanation of this, but suggested that a factor was the sturdy seat which is stressed for 14 g. Though an aircraft may be virtually pholdgruptt. -. Col. J. W. Persons (left) and Captain W. R.Baunders (right)with W/C. C. D. North-Lewis, D.S.O., D.F.X^, Officer com, manding R.A.F. Station, Odiham>—
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